Play is not an extra — it is essential. Through play, and especially as puppies, dogs learn how to relate to others and how to behave; it also exercises the muscles, releases tension, prevents boredom and strengthens the bond with the family. In cats, play mimics hunting behaviour, and it matters most for indoor cats. Toys must be large, non-toxic and free of small loose parts.
Key facts:
- It builds the bond with the owner and reveals the animal’s personality.
- It is learning: through play, a puppy rehearses the behaviour it will need as an adult.
- Without play: the energy goes into destruction — scratched furniture, shredded curtains.
- Safe toys: large, non-toxic, that do not splinter, with no small detachable parts (eyes, bells).
- Cats: play simulates hunting. Never use your fingers as a toy.
Playing with your pet is one of the simplest and most effective ways of looking after it: it is exercise, education and affection, all at the same time.
What is play for?
Dogs are social animals and need to learn the rules of behaviour in order to get on with other dogs and with people — and they learn them mainly by playing as puppies with their mother and littermates. Beyond that, regular play lets the owner discover the animal’s personality and strengthen the bond, prevents boredom, forces the animal to exercise and gives it an outlet for its natural instincts.
What are the benefits?
It exercises the muscles and helps maintain a healthy weight; it releases accumulated tension; it strengthens the bond with the family; it reinforces the owner’s authority in a gentle way (it is the owner who starts and ends the session); it prevents boredom and the destructive behaviour that follows from it; and it develops the senses. In short, the animal has far more opportunity to learn correct behaviour.
What happens if my dog doesn’t play?
A puppy that is not allowed to play will channel that surplus energy into inappropriate behaviour: scratching furniture, shredding curtains, chewing whatever it finds. That is why teaching it early to direct its energy properly matters so much. Lack of play also reduces its capacity to learn — because play is how it perfects adult behaviour — and makes it harder for it to relate to the world around it.
What about cats?
Play is fundamental for cats too, above all for indoor cats, who spend a great deal of time alone. Unlike the dog, in the cat play is almost entirely bound up with the simulation of hunting behaviour — the stalk, the pounce, the capture. It brings the same benefits: it strengthens the relationship, develops natural instincts and burns energy.
With one clear prohibition: never use your fingers as a toy. It looks harmless in a kitten, but an adult cat with fully developed claws and teeth, which has learned that hands are prey, is a genuinely unpleasant proposition.
Which toys should I choose?
Choosing well means a few precautions: the toy must have no toxic components, must not splinter or break, must be large enough that it cannot be swallowed (and should be removed as soon as it starts breaking into small pieces), and must have no small detachable parts — plastic eyes, bells, squeakers.
For high-energy dogs, a frisbee, balls and thick ropes work well. For cats: string toys, balls with bells, toy mice — and around the house, a ball of paper, a cork or a cardboard box will often outperform anything you can buy. Keep several toys and rotate them to prevent boredom, and remember that not every animal likes the same thing.
Frequently asked questions
Why is play important for my dog?
It is exercise, learning and bonding all at once: it prevents destructive behaviour and teaches the dog how to behave.
Can I play with my cat using my hands?
No. Never use your fingers as a toy: as an adult, with developed claws and teeth, the cat can do real damage.
Which toys are safe?
Large, non-toxic, non-splintering toys with no small detachable parts. Remove them once they start to break up.
What if my puppy doesn’t get enough play?
It will channel the energy into destruction, and it will find learning and socialising harder.
A swallowed toy can end in surgery. Petplan España (Petplan Ibérica, S.L.) reimburses 100% of the vet bill up to €3,100 a year, with a €45 excess, at any vet you choose. See the policy terms.
