Playful Kitten Wrapped in Ribbon

About this drawing

A kitten tangled in ribbon may look like a total goofball, but that wild game is really hunting practice. Anything that slithers across the floor can pass for a mouse's tail, and young cats respond with the full routine: crouch, wiggle, pounce, grab, kick.

Motion is what counts. Cats quickly lose interest in a toy that just sits there, while one that darts, hides and changes direction switches on their instincts. That is why a wand toy in a person's hand usually beats anything else in the basket. A couple of short play sessions a day keep a cat fit and give it a healthy outlet for all that energy, so your curtains may get a break too.

There is one serious catch, though. Ribbon, yarn and string are risky playthings for cats. The tiny hooks on a cat's tongue point backward, so once a strand starts going in, it is hard to spit out. If swallowed, it can badly hurt the intestines and may need emergency care.

The safe approach is to use string-style toys only while you are playing together, then put them away. When presents get opened, pick up the ribbon right away. Crumpled paper balls, cardboard boxes and sturdy toy mice give curious kittens plenty to attack, with no trip to the vet.

• kitten
• ribbon
• playtime
• pets