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Cats need stimulation - they are hunters and their instinct is to hunt down and catch their prey. Cats are not big into running - they can only manage short bursts at a time - they will sit for hours watching their prey and will only pounce when they are 100% sure of the kill. Therefore if your cat is ‘watching’ the toy - this is enough - it is stimulating her mind into prey mode - she will only go for the kill when she is certain. Also - don’t put toys right in to her face - prey does not come up and say ‘Hi!’ ‘thought I’d just pop in your mouth! - prey is watched from afar with the cat moving in bit by bit.
Think about what you are playing with and move it in a way that makes the cat react. Watch its body language - is it crouched down low in a pounce position? If it is - then you’ve got it right. If she’s looking at you as if you are some kind of nut case going berserk on the end of a ‘wiggle waggler’ - you are wasting your time! You must interact with your cat at least twice a day with play sessions. She might love the little furry mouse you bought her, but that is in effect ‘dead’. She needs something to move to get her ‘excited’. Different cats have different toys - some like mice like toys, others feathers - you need to find what excites your cat. Do not give her all the toys at once - just a couple and then change them every few days. Toys can be made more interesting by rubbing them with catnip leaves. Never leave a cat alone with an interactive toy - anything on a string or elastic must be played with under supervision. Take care they do not get entangled otherwise they will run off with the ‘wand’ chasing them - that will not help your relationship with her! She will tell you when she’s had enough - try not to cut off the game just as she’s getting interested. Ensure that the cat cannot access the toy once the game is over! For an elderly cat, even just pawing at a feather for a few minutes can help to stimulate him.
Timid cats can often be brought out of their shells with play as the instinct overcomes the fear. Persevere - do not think after just one session - oh she’s not bothered - just watching will be making her stimulated and less anxious. My husband goes to football every week - he watches - but he does not play - but he still gets enough excitement by just watching! Most cats, but in particular aggressive cats, should be played with from arms length so there is no danger of you being swiped, instead of the little mouse! This allows the aggressive cat to divert its aggression on to the toy and away from you.
If your cat sprays in a certain area - try having your play time in that specific area - or keep a couple of toys in your pocket as a means of distraction. The Cat Dancer is good one for that as it rolls up quite small and if you think the cat is about to spray dangle it towards him to get him interested and then have a small play session. Once the cat starts spraying you’ll have to leave him - its too late then to distract him.
Here are a few toys I would recommend:
Think about what you are playing with and move it in a way that makes the cat react. Watch its body language - is it crouched down low in a pounce position? If it is - then you’ve got it right. If she’s looking at you as if you are some kind of nut case going berserk on the end of a ‘wiggle waggler’ - you are wasting your time! You must interact with your cat at least twice a day with play sessions. She might love the little furry mouse you bought her, but that is in effect ‘dead’. She needs something to move to get her ‘excited’. Different cats have different toys - some like mice like toys, others feathers - you need to find what excites your cat. Do not give her all the toys at once - just a couple and then change them every few days. Toys can be made more interesting by rubbing them with catnip leaves. Never leave a cat alone with an interactive toy - anything on a string or elastic must be played with under supervision. Take care they do not get entangled otherwise they will run off with the ‘wand’ chasing them - that will not help your relationship with her! She will tell you when she’s had enough - try not to cut off the game just as she’s getting interested. Ensure that the cat cannot access the toy once the game is over! For an elderly cat, even just pawing at a feather for a few minutes can help to stimulate him.
Timid cats can often be brought out of their shells with play as the instinct overcomes the fear. Persevere - do not think after just one session - oh she’s not bothered - just watching will be making her stimulated and less anxious. My husband goes to football every week - he watches - but he does not play - but he still gets enough excitement by just watching! Most cats, but in particular aggressive cats, should be played with from arms length so there is no danger of you being swiped, instead of the little mouse! This allows the aggressive cat to divert its aggression on to the toy and away from you.
If your cat sprays in a certain area - try having your play time in that specific area - or keep a couple of toys in your pocket as a means of distraction. The Cat Dancer is good one for that as it rolls up quite small and if you think the cat is about to spray dangle it towards him to get him interested and then have a small play session. Once the cat starts spraying you’ll have to leave him - its too late then to distract him.
Here are a few toys I would recommend:
| I CANNOT IMPRESS ON YOU ENOUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY WITH YOUR CAT. FROM TINY KITTENS TO ADULTS, TO THE ELDERLY - THEY ALL NEED SOME KIND OF STIMULATION - JUST SEVERAL SHORT SESSIONS A DAY WILL MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE TO YOUR CATS LIFE! PLEASE MAKE THE EFFORT |
Cat Charmer rrp £3.99
This is a must for everyone! All my cats - especially Ebony my little feral - just loves this long piece of material on a wand. Some cats do find it a bit scary to start off with, but just gently pull it in jerky movements across the floor to get their attention. I used to play with this in the garden with Ebony - now we have several sessions a day and she never seems to get tired of it. It is good for working with timid or aggressive cats in what I call distance playing - it’s almost like they forget you are on the other end. Nice lazy toy that you can sit in the armchair while the cat does the chasing!
Must be used under supervision only.
This is a must for everyone! All my cats - especially Ebony my little feral - just loves this long piece of material on a wand. Some cats do find it a bit scary to start off with, but just gently pull it in jerky movements across the floor to get their attention. I used to play with this in the garden with Ebony - now we have several sessions a day and she never seems to get tired of it. It is good for working with timid or aggressive cats in what I call distance playing - it’s almost like they forget you are on the other end. Nice lazy toy that you can sit in the armchair while the cat does the chasing!
Must be used under supervision only.
Cat Dancer rrp £1.99
Cat Dancer Compleat rrp £2.99
The same toy but Cat Dancer you interact with the cat, whereas the Compleat has a sticky paw-shaped wall-mount - useful for sticking to a cupboard if you have a cat that sprays in one particular place. On the other end it looks like rolled up pieces of cardboard - but cats seem to love them.
Cat Dancer Compleat rrp £2.99
The same toy but Cat Dancer you interact with the cat, whereas the Compleat has a sticky paw-shaped wall-mount - useful for sticking to a cupboard if you have a cat that sprays in one particular place. On the other end it looks like rolled up pieces of cardboard - but cats seem to love them.
Bird on a wire - Goldfinch rrp £8.99
Realistic stuffed fabric bird on the end of a 36” steel wire on a 6” long plastic handle. Approx 6” from beak to tail with a wing span of around 8”.
It comes with a small belly pouch that can be stuffed with catnip or use a catnip spray.
Realistic stuffed fabric bird on the end of a 36” steel wire on a 6” long plastic handle. Approx 6” from beak to tail with a wing span of around 8”.
It comes with a small belly pouch that can be stuffed with catnip or use a catnip spray.
Play ‘n’ squeak rrp £4.25
All cats just love mice and they come in all shapes and sizes. Cats often prefer the real fur mice, however this little chap could be an alternative. The slightest movement and this little one is activated by a small microchip and lets out a little squeak! Approx 3.5” (Not inc tail). Also available is a shake ‘n’ squeak cat toy rrp £2.49. Similar concept but a little toy hanging from a wand so you have some control over it.
All cats just love mice and they come in all shapes and sizes. Cats often prefer the real fur mice, however this little chap could be an alternative. The slightest movement and this little one is activated by a small microchip and lets out a little squeak! Approx 3.5” (Not inc tail). Also available is a shake ‘n’ squeak cat toy rrp £2.49. Similar concept but a little toy hanging from a wand so you have some control over it.
Pets Bits Online do cat nip pillows and various other little toys that your cat may like,.
Caring For Your Kitten
Introducing A New Cat
Soiling And Spraying
Litter And Trays
Eating And Drinking
Bonding With Your Cat
Timid Cats
Keep Your Cat Safe
In Or Out
Playtime
Multicat Households
Aggression
Old Age
Costs to Consider
Introducing A New Cat
Soiling And Spraying
Litter And Trays
Eating And Drinking
Bonding With Your Cat
Timid Cats
Keep Your Cat Safe
In Or Out
Playtime
Multicat Households
Aggression
Old Age
Costs to Consider
Other Ideas:
A bowl of water with ping pong balls floating on the top or feathers that can be 'fished' out
Screwed up pieces of paper or a pile of newspaper or shredded paper
Make a mobile - using a plastic coat hanger hang different things at different levels off pieces of elastic e.g. ribbon, feathers, plastic tops, balls etc and then hang it up! Supervised play only.
Cardboard box - cut large holes in it and turn upside down - link several together!
Cardboard box - right way up - place a couple of balls/toys in the bottom
Throw a ping pong ball up the stairs and watch it bounce all the way back down!
A few small feathers in an empty kitchen roll holder - blow from the bottom of the tube and watch the feathers flutter to the floor.
A bowl of water with ping pong balls floating on the top or feathers that can be 'fished' out
Screwed up pieces of paper or a pile of newspaper or shredded paper
Make a mobile - using a plastic coat hanger hang different things at different levels off pieces of elastic e.g. ribbon, feathers, plastic tops, balls etc and then hang it up! Supervised play only.
Cardboard box - cut large holes in it and turn upside down - link several together!
Cardboard box - right way up - place a couple of balls/toys in the bottom
Throw a ping pong ball up the stairs and watch it bounce all the way back down!
A few small feathers in an empty kitchen roll holder - blow from the bottom of the tube and watch the feathers flutter to the floor.
Why won't anyone play with me?
The following information is the opinion of the writer and is not a substitute for veterinary/professional advice.
Cat Behaviour
Play Time