Felines love the thrill of the hunt for food

My felines have so many toys to stimulate their "pounce drive" and activity level that I am convinced the stockpile could be sold to a second hand store for felines - if such a thing actually existed.

Leaving out toys for your felines to play alone or with each other is important, as well as interactive toys for you to play with them to keep them interested, engaged and fit. If we do not provide this stimulation we are allowing them to become the sleeping lions of the household. They will become lazy and easily sleep 16-18 hours a day.

Just be careful that the toys you leave out are safe for self play. That means no wand or feather toys or dangling string or yarn.

Though playtime (solo or interactional) is important to keep your feline in good health, it is not the end-all to avoid boredom with their routine.

Our felines are natural hunters, so think of how we feed them. We offer them a bowl of dry kibble or a plate of wet food and perhaps some handheld treats they don't have to work to get. My point is that we have removed the hunt or the challenge to find food.

You might characterize this easy retrieval of food as removing the "pounce drive." Is that not one of the instincts we so admire in our felines? We have removed their primal drive to chase, catch and get more exercise.

You can get your feline's motor purring again by making food (main meal or treats) more interesting to get at. If you have a cabinet foraging feline, you already know what I am saying. Your feline seeks what is inaccessible as a challenge, thereby finding mischief.

Try to inspire your feline to hunt or play hide-and-seek for his food. There are different techniques you can try to mimic this behavior. There are several food dispensing toys on the market that can challenge your feline to find food. They require him to dig with a paw, tongue or head tap to gain access to the food and treats. You can use low calorie treats to stimulate the behavior and exercise without adding calories.

If you are not sure if your feline will respond to this toy, try a "scatter test." I ask my felines to jump or pounce on a step stool, appropriate table or extra counter space for their scattered treats.

I firmly believe they enjoy working for their food. The behaviors they demonstrate are very hunt- and pounce-like and very kittenish. The show really gets entertaining when they bump heads or paws attempting to retrieve the same treat.

Feeding at more than one location will also inspire your feline to hunt and get exercise looking for food. I would even suggest not feeding the same treat or food at the various feeding stations in your home. The different flavors will keep your feline on the move and in the hunt.

When we stimulate our felines' natural instincts to hunt for food, we are enhancing the basic traits and personalities we admire in them. In short, we are helping them stay happy and healthy and perhaps lengthening the time we get to enjoy their company.

Featured felines:

• Smokie is a 2½-year-old female. She is an all-black kitty with the most beautiful green eyes. Smokie is a bit shy, but is getting braver by the day. She actually has a great memory and will hang around once she gets to know you. She does not like being chased, but when she is settled in, she likes to be petted and talked to. With a little time, she will be a great loving cat.

• Joy is a 4½-year-old female, light brown tabby. She is a sibling to Midnight and Barbie. Joy must have been watching her brother because she copies everything he does - she squeaks, squints (or winks) like him, and has become quite a lover. She patiently waits for you to pet and cuddle her. If you visit too many cats before her, she sadly walks away until you call for her. Once very shy, she has blossomed into a very playful girl.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W, Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the welfare of stray, abused and abandoned cats and dogs. For information, call The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.