A day in the life of a cat or dog may seem like a lot of sleep to the average human observer, but play time is really essential for a companion animal’s overall level of contentment and general health.  We can’t count how many knit mice or balls get fished out from beneath the fridge.  We love puzzle feeder toys, scratching posts, and interactive playtime of all sorts-  there’s definitely no substitute!

That said, variety in play is also helpful.  This may be especially important for adult animals who may appear less interested in playtime, which means humans have to work a little harder to get them engaged.  I mean, Umberto is just so over last week’s fishing toy obsession.  With that in mind, it’s worth exploring the oodles of apps and free online games for cats, all designed with felines in mind.  They feature responsive play with fishing, bugging, and other themes for touch screen devices.  That explains Umberto’s late hours “at work” …

If you’re worried about your furry companions while you’re away, don’t!  From DVDs to online options, they can binge watch without you.  Videos for Cats offer anywhere from five minutes to two hours of videos.  And of course, there is DogTV, a streaming service (also available from that boasts a platform developed and designed by pet experts to offer 24/7 programming that can help prevent boredom (and subsequently boredom-related behavior concerns) by providing mental stimulation.

While online gaming or videos may not appeal to all the forever friends in your home, they may offer a new activity for one of them (we’re looking at you, Umberto).  Remember, “no reward” can sometimes lead to “no return,” and most cat and dog enthusiasts agree that “payoffs” (like treats) tend to reinforce desirable behaviors.  To keep things entertaining, add a safe toy or treat for your pal to discover that adds something tangible to the experience.   Above all else, don’t forget these options are not substitutes for interactive play.  One of the many benefits of animals in our lives is companionship.  So go get those felt mice, and enjoy that playtime bonding!