This is about computer games and computer devices for cats. It is a skim through some ideas for the sort of “apps” (meaning “applications”, which in turn means programmes or software) that are made for cats.
VG (a regular PoCer) wants some ideas. Marc will be doing a post in due course, which I look forward to reading. There is no rush Marc, and if you are too busy leave it and leave a comment instead. Although, Marc is the expert on these things because he bought a tablet computer for his cats so he knows the sort or apps that his cats find fascinating. I am very impressed by a person who buys a tablet computer solely for use by his cats.
In the meantime I explore the idea of apps for cats on this page. There are two considerations:
- What tablet computer is best? And…..
- What games (apps) are best?
Tablet Computer
What sort of tablet computer should a person get for her cats? Well if I was buying I would choose the Google Google Nexus 7 (16GB, 2013). This runs on Google’s open-source nature Android OS (Operating System). The open nature of the software compared to Apple’s closed software should mean more cat apps and more choice regarding tablets. If you are intent on buying an Apple iPad this is the page for cat games.
The Nexus is relatively cheap compared to Apple’s iPad ($299 in USA or £239 in UK) and high quality. There is also a Nexus 10 which is faster. As an alternative, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 (8-inch, gold-brown) is a good choice. An equally good alternative is Sony Xperia Tablet Z (16GB). Sony make high quality, durable products.
Google devices receive good reviews in respect of both their phone and tablets. If anyone has a question about these devices, just ask in a comment and I’ll answer it 😉
Note – Caveat – Ethics
Personal Note: on an ethical level, I have one barrier to buying a Google product: Google work with the NSA (the USA’s National Security Agency – “defending our nation, securing our future”). Google allows the NSA access to the data that they collect on people’s internet activity. This is the sort of thing that Snowden, is referring to. Snowden is the person who has made transparent what the US government should have made transparent: they hack into everything on a global scale.
I am very much against what the American government is currently doing in tapping into mobile phones and accessing what should be private internet information. The internet information the NSA collects from across the world is called “meta data” which means: who is doing what to whom and where. It is not direct tapping into emails etc. It is, however, a gross breach of privacy and no one in the government said they are doing it until Snowden told the world and in doing so became a the USA’s most wanted “criminal”. To many he is a hero. Potentially, he has a very miserable and lonely life ahead of him in avoiding the USA. I am not sure he knew this when he disclosed “state secrets” that should have been transparent. This information may make some people think twice about buying Google products.
Apps for Cats
So, what sort of games can you buy for the Google Nexus 7 or 10? There are lots of free apps for Android tablets.
Click this link (opens in a new window or tab) to see apps designed for cats – the picture on this page is a screenshot. They include apps that respond to the touch of a cat’s paw. This should help to keep up a cat’s attention span.
I hope this helps a bit. It is not based on personal experience so some trial and error will be required to find the most affective cat game. The manufacturer of the tablet is less important but I sense that Android OS tablets are better for the choice of games available for free download. Wrong? Please leave a comment.
Associated: Lion King Games
Later today, I will have a rummage around in ye olde back ups, I may still have it, I don’t know if it will run on anything past Win 8 though.
Ah..the simple days. The innocent and good ‘ole days 😉
I like the idea of a pot of catnip. Growing catnip makes more sense than buying it. It is quite a plain but pleasant enough plant. You’d get plenty of activity on the catio.
Marc- your catio looks lovely, even in its early stages.
This comment made me think-
~The plants are great because they bring insects and odd though it may seem I encourage insects now because they love to chase them.~
Doesn’t see odd at all to me- Tootsie does try to capture flying insects outdoors, but with zero success. She gets exercise, they survive. All good.
I’ve read about plants that attract butterflies. Not sure if your screen mesh would be large enough to allow butterflies to enter, though. Butterflies have very erratic flight patterns- adaptive defense, so it’s very difficult for predators of all sorts to capture them. Thus, I don’t think you would be in danger of inviting “mass butterfly slaughter by cats”.
One such plant is Lantana- I’m familiar with it because they are often used in hanging baskets here. Unlike some of the other plants I just read about in a quick web search, I know from personal experience that they are very easy to grow and propagate. Cut off a part of the plant, stick it in water, roots grow, plant in soil, plant grows. They seem to be common in Europe.
Another plant- have you considered catnip? Nepeta cattaria. It’s of European origin. I’ve seen some pretty funny youtubes of cats rolling around in pots of Nepeta. And, I just discovered (internet search) that Nepeta cattaria also attracts butterflies.
Thanks also Marc for you detailed further ideas and advice.
Shock, horror, I don’t have one of those fancy phone thingies!
However, you’ve given me an idea that I hadn’t thought of. I have a an older laptop that I abandoned b/c it would crash, but oddly enough, only when connected to the internet. It’s sitting in the corner of the room gathering dust. But, I figure I could download YouTube videos of the type you suggest via my present computer, and then upload copies to that laptop. You don’t have to go through such hoops to download YTs as used to be the case.
I could play them for Tootsie, and see if she is interested, how she reacts. She is so well mannered that she doesn’t jump on the computer table to help with typing or watch the screen. However, if I’m watching a VHS movie (yes, I am behind in technology) settled down in bed, she will find a comfy place from which to stare at the screen. So, that seems hopeful.
For various reasons, Tootsie may have to become more of an indoor cat. I worry about her getting depressed again, like she was when I first adopted her- she had always been an indoor cat before. That is part of why I was asking for technical details re: your set up.
Marc- obviously the I mean the Samsung you have. My thought is to see if I can find refurbished model online.