Felice come un gatto che gioca: Giochi, acrobazie, segreti per farti adorare dal tuo felino

by Mikel Maria Delgado

Forse non lo sai, ma il tuo gatto si annoia facilmente e questo spesso può causargli problemi di salute e di comportamento. Il cucciolo che è dentro di lui (e che non crescerà mai) adora inseguire, saltare, spiare perché la sua natura è quella di un predatore. La soluzione quindi è gioca con lui e diventerà più socievole, più affettuoso e più felice. La dottoressa Delgado, esperta e studiosa del comportamento felino, fornisce in questa guida completa e divertente una serie di semplici e buffe attività da fare con il tuo gatto, dal cucciolo al micio anziano. Seguire questi consigli migliorerà le sue abilità motorie e attiverà aree del cervello legate alla motivazione, alle emozioni e alla ricompensa, allenando la sua intelligenza e sfatando definitivamente il mito che i gatti siano solitari e diffidenti. Non solo si divertirà come un matto, ma la sua salute e il suo benessere aumenteranno, la sua vita si allungherà e alcuni comportamenti problematici spariranno del tutto. Infine rafforzerete il vostro legame e in cambio della sua adorazione ne diventerete schiavi felici!

Genres: Cats, Nonfiction, Animals, Pets, Audiobook

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2024

Reviews

[Peter Tillman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I happened to see this book on a list somewhere, and checked out the library's Kindle copy. Didn't work for me: we have two ex-feral housecats, who have never really gotten socialized. Well, one is semi-socialized but he bites. It's a long, sad story. I didn't pick them out. They are very pretty cats: https://www.flickr.com/photos/2905046... But they have FLEAS, and we have failed utterly to keep them flea-free! Grrr.

So I was hoping for tips on dealing with semi-ferals. This book has none. And in fact, had I paid money for this book, I would have been annoyed, since it's VERY simplistic. Play with your cats! Over and over, with variations. Even for free, it's semi-worthless. But mildly entertaining, hence the 2 stars, vs its actual value for me, which was zero. Caveat felix!

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would have thought of picking up a book on playing with your cats and absolutely gaining the most out of it?! We think we know our pets, specially cats, when it comes to their personalities and their routines. Well… most of it would turn out wrong!

The book focuses much on the basics we must know about how to keep our fur babies active and healthy. It’s not just about buying them toys and boxes (we know they are obsessed with them!) but also about how and when to play with them according to their age and type.
I never thought about it this way before and yes, books like this bring out our ignorance and fill us up with answers at the same time! I really appreciate it.

The book also gives an apprehensive view on the types of materials we can play with our feline family.

I really appreciate the author for including all kinds of feline family: the household, the shelter ones as well as the ones which live both inside and outside our home.

But the most I get out of this book is our cat parents misunderstanding of what we human perceive as playful versus what irritates our feline lovelies.

Also, the bibliography given towards the end of the book is a gem! Check it out as well! Thank me later 🙂

[Julia Pav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent and helpful book. I’m glad I read it. My three kitties are happy as well with the changes we’ve incorporated based on this book. My only critique is that the blue text can be a little hard to read at times.

[Shel · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Respect Your Cat Day in March, I treated myself to a copy of Play with Your Cat! The Essential Guide to Interactive Play for a Happier, Healthier Feline by Mikel Maria Delgado, PhD. 

I’d been looking forward to this book since I heard it was in the works. Now that I’ve read it, it’s definitely on my list of recommended cat resources. It’s fun and interactive with “Your Turn!” suggestions throughout encouraging you to pause and play with your cat. 

As Dr. Delgado’s work spotlights: Play is a huge part of health and wellness. Daily play is a sign of a happy cat!

What I love about this book is…everything.

It’s so cat-focused and really takes us into the worldview of these ambush predators. I love the idea of people reading this book because they want to learn how to play better with their cat (and there really are some fun tricks to it). I love the idea of people thinking about how to spend time playing with their cat. Delightful!

The illustrations by Lili Chin are delightful, too.

Play With Your Cat! also has got some great cat facts. While you are exploring and reveling in cat play, you’ll learn a lot about how cats perceive the world. You can use this knowledge to choose the right color, size, shape, and type of toy for your cat, adjust your play style to your individual cat, and keep your cat playful throughout their life.

My favorite quote:

"Although we cannot stop our cats from aging and, sadly, also from dying, we can use play throughout their entire lives to help them age well."

As Dr. Delgado says, “Play is just one way to make your cat love you more!”

[Calli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish every cat owner would read this book!!

[Louve de France · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be (like Jackson Galaxy's books) a compulsory reading for first-time or struggling cat guardians. Delgado explains very clearly why playtime is so important in your relation with your cat, and in his balance ; and gives good tips and suggestions for particular cases. I highly recommend! (and Mademoiselle Luna awards it five claws up too, or five fishing toys up, as you prefer!)

[Kim]

One of the authors presenting new titles at Bark! Fest 2024, really enjoyed her session :o)

[Mad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful advice, approachable and fun writing style, and I enjoyed the illustrations! I especially liked the way the author showed how research on how cats see the world applies to playing with them. I've already used some of the tips to get my cats exercising and it seems to have put them in a great mood.

[librarian4Him02 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why I picked it up: I own cats and am always looking for ideas of how best to enrich their lives.

Why I kept reading: The author has a ton of play ideas for all ages and life stages of cats. She delves into why cats need play in their lives and teaches you how to do it. She even includes tips on how to encourage cats with disabilities or declawed cats to engage with play!

In the end: I came away with new ideas for play as well as techniques I can try so they will engage with their wand toys.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good guide although it only had a small section on play with senior kitties and I was hoping for more.

[Michal · Rating 5 out of 5]

play! with! your! cat!!!!!

[alexander shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick but enlightening read for those who want to make sure they are giving their cat the best life they can. Delgado explains some of the science behind cat behavior, particularly around play, and goes over how it can change as a cat grows. She also gives a lot of do's and dont's when it comes to interacting with your cat, and many things to try for enrichment. There's even sections for cats who seemingly don't like to play, older cats, and disabled cats. I'm hoping to be able to use at least some of what she talks about to get my young cat playing a little more and hopefully also keep him out of trouble.

[Diane Ropelewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as I thought it was both enjoyable and informative. Most of the book explains how interactive play with your cat(s) is beneficial to both you and the cat(s). Indoor cats especially, need stimulation since they are not exposed to hunting opportunities like cats who go outside.
The author gives many ideas and suggestions on ways to stimulate your cat through interactive play.
Some illustrations are included on what toys to buy as well as several set ups for play.
Specific ideas for overweight cats, blind cats and deaf cats are included.
This should be a must read for cat owners in order to learn about enriching a cat's life through play.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any book that takes playing with cats so seriously gets an instant five stars from me. Luckily, this book is actually very informative and creative as well! A must read for anybody with a cat or considering getting one.

I got some great ideas to improve play with my cat. Like Delgado says; play for a cat is what walks are for a dog: an absolutely essential part of their daily routine.

[Rose Grabowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play With Your Cat is a comprehensive discussion of the best ways to interact with your cat to keep them happy and healthy. There is advice on how to choose toys and why as well as techniques to help a cat with behavioral issues. Highly recommended for cat families!

[Blane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably none of us with cats spend enough quality time with them, no matter how much we may love them. Delgado's book explains why we need to change that and how to do it, without being overly preachy. And a shoutout to Lili Chin's wonderful illustrations in the print version!

[lazygirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this! Gave me lots of ideas on how to play with my cat and enrich her life. The studies cited were interesting and the bibliography is great and will consist of some further reading for me!

[Nadezhda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most important book on cats ever written!

[Lothh Greenleaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource to learn why it's important to play with our cats and how to :)

[Soňa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book, but right now, I'm waiting for the Cat dividing universe to send another fluffy friend 🐈‍⬛

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have learned many strategies for improving my cats’ lives, and Mikel Maria Delgado does an excellent job of synthesizing all of that information together and making it accessible and actionable for people living with cats. One of my girls is currently going through a phase where she wants me to drop ball toys outside of her tritunnel so she can pounce at them, so I liked that “interactive play” in this book includes some types of non-wand toy activities. Wish I had had a book like this (or any orientation pamphlet from my vet, really) when my late cat was becoming a senior because this likely could have helped her solo cat behavior issues and noise phobia before her senescence.

[Sarah E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A seriously fun read and extremely helpful! I thought I knew what I was doing playing with my cats, but then added tips and tricks have made such a huge difference in my home. My cats are so much happier and fitter, plus we're all having more fun! Even if you feel like an expert, this book helps frame old ideas in new ways. Also this is written in a genuinely enjoyable writing style!

I will say that it can get repetitive if you read it in all one sitting like I did, but each chapter can be read as a standalone, so the pacing makes sense. I would recommend reading it chapter by chapter and letting that information sit.

[Amy Oung · Rating 5 out of 5]

must read for cat parents

Thorough investigation into cat play. In depth read on the best ways to play with your cat. Will definitely use this as a guide on not only how to play but also what types of toys to use.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

an easy to read book about the importance of play to your pet! some great tips on playing with your cat

[Mathieu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book for all cat owners! Learn why you need to play with your cat, and how to do it best. Happy cat, happy owner! Fun to read.

[Dita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall good read. At first, I felt guilty about all I wasn't doing for my cat. Now I know better and will try to do better.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful guide! Lots of great info to help play and wear your kitten out.

[judy-b. judy-b.]

I feel like this would have been more helpful—to me—as a much shorter, illustrated book.