A guide to the best apps for keeping your feline entertained.

As goes the human, so goes the cat. That’s the feeling I get when viewing the latest games on the market for our feline counterparts. Technology has improved at such a fast rate, we’re having problems keeping up, so you can imagine how your pets feel about trying to compete with technology.

Cats are uniquely suited to play video games and watch images on a high-resolution screen. While they may not have enjoyed the “flickering screens and poor resolution” dating many of our televisions, the new digital array and high-performance viewing is something they are becoming accustomed to enjoying – which brings us to an entirely new market of video and tablet games that are uniquely suited to cats.

Whether you have an iPad or tablet, digital TV, smartphone and/or computer, what follows are some digital games your cats are sure to enjoy.

Remember to use a screen protector before introducing your cats to your phone, tablet or computer monitor. Many cats could become overstimulated and might take out their frustration on your video equipment.

Paint for Cats: Unleash your cat’s inner artist with an app that allows your cat to paint. The app gives your cats a fun little mouse to chase around the screen and each ‘kill” results in a satisfying squeak, which encourages your cat to play even more. This is a really fun app that might just give you some interesting art to hang on a wall. Share your cat’s masterpiece via social media or just save and print a new work of art for each of your cats. $1.99 iOS only

Friskies Apps for Cats

Friskies has fully embraced the age of technology with new apps for cats coming out quickly. These apps encourage you to share your cats’ scores and results via social media.

CatFishing 2: The game features fish floating in a pond that your cat touches to “catch”. Once she touches the fish, it disappears and two new fish are added to the screen.
Free iOS & Android

JitterBug: The game focuses on other favorite cat topic: bugs. Each game features five 15-second rounds that let your cat touch the screen to “kill” the little critter(s). Each kill results in more bugs. Free iOS & Android

HappyWings: The game focuses on birds and if you have a birding cat, this is a humane way to let her chase hummingbirds, dragonflies, moths and other creatures. Free iOS & Android

Cat Alone: If you’re not sure you want to download a bunch of new games for your cats, consider just one app that focuses on six different topics. Cat Alone allows you (and your cat) to choose from six different games that feature things they can tag and chase, including a laser, ladybug, finger, fly, butterfly and cockroach. Cat Alone 2 features spiders, feathers, mice, sunbeams and a water drop to keep your cats interested.
Free iOS & Android

Cat Piano & Cat Piano Jr.: I’ll admit, this is more of an app for humans than cats, but it’s so fun, I couldn’t help but bring it up. This keyboard plays a cat’s meows, turning you into a composer for cats. Turn up the volume, play a few notes of your favorite song and see how your cats react.
Free iOS Only

Cat Translator: If you feel as though a lack of understanding is to blame for your problems, you might want to consider this fun translator. The app offers its version of words in cat language using an author-derived phrasebook that contains the most popular sounds and meows. Remember, this is a game. Free Android only

Pocket Pond 2: This is not really a game, but a very realistic screensaver. Watch large koi fish meander through a pond when you’re busy thinking and not working. This app works on nearly any device and is a fun way to keep your cat occupied.
Free Android & iOS

Videos for Cats

If you don’t have a smartphone or tablet, don’t worry. There are plenty of games on YouTube for cats that they’ll enjoy just as much. Here are a few you can choose from to get things going.

Laser Chase: A fun game that gets your cat active on the screen; don’t forget to turn your computer off at night or you might just be awakened by a monitor crashing to the floor.

String Thing Game: This is a fun game that uses a dangling piece of string to lure your cat to the monitor. Just put your cat in front of the monitor and she’ll do the rest.

Spider Thing: Train cats to catch spiders with this cute clip. The quick-moving arachnids will tempt any feline into play.

Whichever games you choose, remember that technology should never substitute for quality playtime. Your cats rely on you for interaction and companionship; something technology can never replace.

About the Author: Stacy Mantle is a fulltime freelance writer, bestselling author and founder of PetsWeekly.com. She resides in the deserts of the Southwest with a few dogs, several cats and a very understanding husband.