Cats love to play. Regular playtime helps cats maintain fitness, improve their social skills and mental alertness. It will also reduce the likelihood of them scratching up your furniture, carpets - and you. Perhaps the best thing about playing with your cat is that it will strengthen your mutual bond.

There are so many cat toys on the market today, you can build up a collection over time and rotate them to ensure your cat is constantly stimulated. When you're not at home, leave a toy to keep kitty happy. Spend time each day playing with your cat.

Encourage your cat to find its inner tiger through play and you'll see that domestic cats are not so far removed from their wild ancestors after all. Their hunting habits in the wild translate to playful antics in the home. Anything that replicates the hunt' will keep your cat amused.

For more ways to keep your pet happy and healthy, click here