While cats all like to play with cords, kittens are especially vulnerable because they play with things by putting them in their mouth. If a kitten chews an electrical cord she can get burned or cause a house fire. If she gets tangled up in window blind cords she can get trapped and strangle.

Make sure to always keep all types of household cords out of the reach of your little kitties.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

But what about play time? Most of us would play all day if we could, so we’re really appreciative of any dedicated play time you can give us. Make a point to schedule play time with your cat for the same time every day – that way he or she will have something to look forward to while you’re off bringing home the bacon!

Tailer is a cat from Sweden. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Attach the string to the wire, the feather to the other end of the string and make it dance in front of your cat. Then pull the feather around the room until he catches it.

Another idea is to use a sack or medium cardboard box. Put some light material, like a sheet over it, leaving enough space for your cat to slink under it into the box. Tap on the closed end of the sack or box and then the side, then the back again. Do this for awhile and your cat will be tuckered out from trying to catch the sound.

An old sock that smells like you works wonders, too. Add catnip and tie it off – your cat gets two smells in one.

If you cat IS finicky, try out each of the types of toys – you’re sure to pique his interest with one of them.

Kelly is a dog columnist and pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat.

Toys that require your interaction with your cat are great for bonding. Feathers on the end of a string on a pole is a great toy as is a laser toy. Treat balls also are fun. Playing also keeps your cat’s hunting skills in shape in case he needs to get that annoying fly.

Kelly is a dog columnist and pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat.

- Rotate your cat’s toys daily to keep her visually stimulated and interested in playing with them.

- Fulfill your cat’s hunting desire through daily play sessions with a feather wand, or other toys that allow your kitty to stalk and catch imaginary prey.

- Play a DVD created just for cats, like “Kitty Cat Daycare” or “Video Catnip,” which were produced to capture feline interest with images of birds and other small mammals.

Maryann Mott is a pet journalist and author. Her books and articles can be found at Petwriter.com and you can follow her on Twitter here.

Never fear, there’s a new type of house available for a fraction of the price – the cardboard cottage. These houses are naturally attractive to cats for scratching and hiding. They can even climb in them. Two choices under $40 are available here and here. These are easy to assemble and you cat will thank you, as he plays in the cardboard box it came in.

But when you do pick us up, come down to our level first, and say hi. Pet us a bit. Ease into it. It will make it more enjoyable for us, and you run less of a risk of us having to whip out our claws in self defense after being hurriedly scooped up and lifted towards the heavens.

A really rough car mat is a great thing to have around. Cats love to tear them up. Ours would make a two room detour – including a trip over the forbidden rug – to get to the mat.