Can Cats Do Playdates – 7 Socializing Tips For Your Pet!

Many people will agree that friendship is one of the most essential things in their life. Our friends become our chosen family and a support system we could not live without. Beyond that, they are fun to spend time with and help to keep us in a good mood. We might not think about this often, but our pets need friends too. How do we help our pets make friends, though? Especially cats, who so often stay inside their owner’s homes. Can cats do playdates?

Yes, cats can do playdates. Playdates are a great way to help your cat build social skills with other felines. Cats should however be monitored at all times while playing with others.

Let’s check out more reasons why you should schedule a playdate for your cat. 

Reasons Why Your Cat Should Have Playdates

Before introducing your cat to playdates, it’s important to consider everything that’s positive about the experience. Below are seven reasons why it’s a good idea to start implementing this strategy now.

1. Expand Their Vocabulary

If your cat isn’t very talkative at home, getting them around another cat may change this. Cats have their own language with either other, and it will help to expand their vocabulary if they have another cat to learn from. Plus, they will learn new words and commands from you when they are in new environments.

2. Cats Are More Social Than We Realize

Especially at a young age, cats can be incredibly social. They are fueled by curiosity to learn more about the world around them. This curiosity does not go away with age, so playdates can help them maintain their social qualities throughout their life.

3. Satiates Their Curiosity

Cats love to explore all of the nooks and crannies of a new place. If they stay in your home all of the time, they may become mischievous in their pursuit to find something new to explore in your home. If they are able to go somewhere to safely explore a new environment, they will be able to satiate this curiosity. Hopefully, when they come home, they will be so tuckered out from exploring that they won’t cause any trouble in your home.

4. Helps You To Learn More About Your Cat

Seeing your cat interact with another cat will teach you things about your cat that you would have otherwise never known. Taking your cat to a playdate will give you a new perspective on how your cat behaves. You also get to see the world through their eyes a little more because they are bound to notice some things that you never have. A playdate will make for an educational moment for you both.

5. Strengthen Your Bond With Your Cat

Without a doubt, your cat is going to be extra snuggly with you after a playdate. Much like how humans can have social batteries, cats do as well. No matter how much fun we have hanging out with our friends, there comes a time where our energy feels spent, and we want to return to our quiet homes to rest.

After a playdate, your cat is going to feel the same way and want to snuggle you to feel at peace. They will be happy and appreciative that you did something fun and exciting with them all day. And they are going to be grateful they have you to help them feel calm and relaxed.

Are Cat Playdates A Good Idea

Cat playdates are a great idea! Cats deserve to have friends, too, and if you do not own multiple cats, a cat playdate is a great way to help them make friends.

Socialization amongst cats is crucial for their behavioral development. Cats learn the difference between playing and attacking by interacting with other cats. If they are playing and bite too hard, the other cat will let them know by yelping or not wanting to play anymore. Your cat remembers this reaction and learns from it. Now when you play with them, they will give you a softer bite because they want you to know they are just playing and not attacking you.

Cat playdates are also great exercise for cats. Indoor cats already have a higher risk of obesity, so it can be crucial to schedule time to exercise for them. Playing with other cats is a great way to get them the exercise they need to stay strong and healthy.

How To Plan A Cat Playdate

To plan the perfect cat playdate, there are some things you need to consider. First off, the younger you start, the better. Kittens are often less territorial and easier to socialize with other cats. Plus, it’s essential that they learn specific behaviors from socialization at a young age, retaining them throughout their lives.

Observe your cat on their own to determine what kind of personality they have. Then schedule a playdate with another cat you think they will mesh well with. The American Association of Feline Practitioners says there are four personality types: bold, affable, timid, and assertive. Once you identify which category your cat belongs to, you will have a better gauge as to what kinds of cats they can socialize with.

Then you want to find a neutral territory and begin slow introductions. A neutral territory where neither cat has been will make it more likely that they will not be possessive or territorial, so there will be less conflict. You do not want to overwhelm your cat, so slow introductions are best.

Starting off by having them separated in two different rooms so they can hear each other is a good start. Then they can start having visual contact with each other. Once they are in the same room, they should always be surprised by at least two relaxed people. This process of introductions can sometimes take days or weeks, depending on how the two cats acclimate.

Always pay attention to your cat for their warning signals. If you can tell they are becoming aggressive or scared during the interaction, then it is essential you remove them. This helps to prevent any attacks between the cats, as well as, it eases your cat’s mind if the situation is too stressful for them.

Is It Healthy For Cats To Play

Playing is actually one of the healthiest things for your cat. Constructive exercise is an excellent way for your cat to learn a routine and improve its brain function. It also helps to strengthen their bodies. One hour of play increases a cat’s lifespan by four hours. It helps to ease their anxiety and restlessness while keeping them at their physical peak.

Things To Consider

Some cats do not get along with other cats, and that’s okay! Especially if you have rescued a cat, they may have had experiences in their formative years that make it difficult for them to socialize now. It is important to remember to never force them to interact with other cats if they don’t want to.

Your cat will still learn plenty of social skills from living with you. Ultimately protecting their safety and peace of mind should be the most crucial priority, so never make them do something they are uncomfortable with.