Because cats don't run up with a ball in their mouth, many people assume that they don't want or need to be played with at all. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Cats need exercise and lots of mental stimulation. Without it, they can get bored, and the end result can be behavior problems.

     What games do cats like to play? Cats, by nature, are hunters, which means they like to chase things. Inventing games in which they can hunt imaginary prey will challenge and ex- cite them. . . and generally leave you laughing and applauding at their amazing antics.

     You can use a fishing pole-type apparatus with feathers, streamers, or other toys attached to the end by a string to mimic the movements of a bird or insect flying overhead or a small an- imal scurrying across the floor. Move the toy like it's the real thing. For example, butterflies flitter, land, and take off-quick, jerky motions as well as pauses. And allow your cats to catch the "prey" now and again. Otherwise, they could lose interest in the game.

     Play with your cats as often as you can for about 10 minutes at a time, perhaps while you're talking on the phone or watching. You'll both enjoy this fun, silly time together, and it will help to create an inseparable bond between you and your feline friend.