Play does not have to be running and jumping! It can be stalking, batting, following, watching, etc.
Nobody has time for that! Be careful not to accidentally create a super-cat with unattainable needs. He may need a break, and you can try again later. Their bodies aren’t designed to move for long periods of time. “My cat only wants to play for five minutes.” Are other cats around? Cats are solitary hunters and may need separate play sessions. Is your cat overweight? A senior? Not feeling well? A cat who won’t play is like a cat won’t eat – that’s a reason for concern. Maybe they don’t want to hunt a bird, and they’d rather hunt bugs, or mice, or snakes. Schedule those play sessions! You also may have a “specialist” hunter. “My cat won’t engage in any interactive play with me.”
Are cats ambush predators full#
You can even “marinate” them in a plastic baggie full of catnip while they’re not in use. Stop buying endless new toys! Rotate them instead to keep things new and exciting. “My cat will play with the same toy for a while, but then loses interest.” Put them away when you’re not using them! He’s tired of seeing the same stuff every day. Cats are interested in MOVEMENT! Are your toys always left out? Your indoor cat doesn’t get out much. “My cat has dozens of toys and he doesn’t play with any of them.” It also gives the cat a clear way to ask for playtime – by running over to the drawer where the toy is kept. I like to let the cat clearly know when playtime starts and stops by keeping the favorite toy in a cabinet or drawer. Before you know it, you’re ready for the day and your cat has been played with. Can’t commit to 10 entire minutes at once? Do it in chunks. Does your cat ever forget when it’s time for dinner? Just commit to sticking to scheduled play for a week, and after that, your cat will never let you forget. Worried about being able to stick to that consistent scheduled playtime each day? Don’t be. Scheduling playtime lets your cat know that every day, he’s going to get his needs met. Waiting around wondering when you’re going to get your playtime (or worse, resorting to problem behavior in order to get attention) isn’t fun for anyone. If your cat has destructive or aggressive tendencies, you’re probably realizing right about now that he’s at his worst in the morning and evening, too.Ĭats thrive on a predictable routine. That’s when they’d be doing the most hunting, so that’s the best time to play. Cats are crepuscular, so they are most active at dawn and dusk. Scheduling your play accomplishes lots of things. Most cats - even crazy young ones and kittens - can be fully satisfied with two or three 10-minute play sessions a day as long as they have other enrichment opportunities and the play times are consistent at the same time each day (usually morning and evening, with an optional session midday or afternoon).
What’s even better is scheduling play times at the same time every day. Short sessions where the cat is allowed to calm down at the end are best. This practice also creates the type of cat that people complain about never being satisfied and wanting to play for hours and hours and hours. They’re over-aroused and are having a tough time calming themselves down. What happens if you play more than that? Well, I’ve had many clients where that’s about the time they get scratched or bitten, or when that cat goes and attacks or bothers another cat in the home. Too much play can cause behavioral problems You should start fast, letting the cat run and jump at first if they’d like, then finish slow, dragging the toy slowly around corners and winding down the cat’s energy. In order to simulate real life, your play sessions should only be 10 to 15 minutes at the most. Their bodies are not designed to move and move and move for long periods of time. They lie in wait, then make one mad dash for their prey. But what’s the solution? You can’t play with your cat for hours a day! This can cause frustration and boredom, and in turn, destructive or aggressive behavior. They may get the chance to catch a bug here and there, or chatter as they watch a bird out the window.
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