HEATHER PAGLIARINI

A common thing I hear from people when talking with them about their cats is, “my cat doesn’t want to play.” I get it. Sometimes it seems that way. Working in an animal shelter for years, I have met every type of cat you can imagine – kittens, seniors, bold cats, shut down cats – and I can honestly say, I’ve never met a cat who didn’t play. What I have met are cats who needed the right kind of play and a little patience.

Playing with your cat is more than something cute or fun to do. It is essential. It keeps cats mentally and physically healthy, helps reduce unwanted behaviors, builds confidence, and strengthens the bond between you and your cat.

Play follows a sequence, and it matters. Cats are hunters by nature. Even if they never go outside, their brains are wired to go through a hunting sequence. The sequence is: hunt > catch > kill > eat > groom > sleep.

When we play with cats, we tap into that natural cycle. Understanding it helps make your play sessions more effective. If you are waving a toy frantically in the air right away, you are skipping past the “hunt” phase. The hunt phase includes stalking and chasing.  Slow things down. Let them watch. Let the toy hide and peek out from behind a wall or furniture. Build anticipation. That’s when you start to see your cat’s pupils dilate, their body crouch, and their behind wiggle. And then pounce to catch the toy.

Some cats will chase a feather wand right away. Others will sit and watch for a while before joining in. That’s not a lack of interest – that’s part of the process. Many people give up if their cat doesn’t engage in the first few seconds. Stick with it. And be sure to find a toy your cat likes.

In the shelter, I work with cats every day who are shut down or scared in their enclosure. Play is one of my go-to tools to help them open up. But I am not pulling out a big feather wand and waving it around. For fearful cats, I start small and slow. Some of my favorite toys for a fearful cat is the Cat Dancer, or even a shoelace. These let me mimic the movement of a bug on the ground and keep my hands and body movements out of the picture. It is less threatening and more natural for the cat. Feather wands such as DaBird, are great for bold and confident cats. DaBird wands mimic flight-like motion and prey-like appearance, and cats love it.

When cats don’t have a healthy outlet for their energy, they will find one – like scratching the furniture, grabbing your ankles, climbing the curtains, or meowing all night. Daily play can make a huge difference. If a cat is overstimulated, under-stimulated, or just plain bored, structured playtime is often the answer.

It is also a great tool in multi-cat households to burn off energy, or to redirect rough play away from another cat.

There are a few different types of play you can build into your cat’s day:

Interactive play – like wand toys that you are controlling - is the most important. Aim for 10 –15 minutes once or twice a day. Let your cat stalk, chase, and pounce.

Solo play includes toys they can bat around or kick on their own. Rotate these regularly to keep things interesting.

 Food puzzles and things to climb or hide in (like boxes or tunnels) also add great enrichment.

And remember – put wand toys away when not in use for safety.

Playing with your cat helps build trust and connection. When you are the source of something fun and engaging, you strengthen your bond with your cat!

So, if you have a cat who doesn’t play, don’t give up! They might just need a slower start, a different toy, or more time to watch and warm up. Tap into that natural hunting sequence and tailor the play to their personality.

Stayed tuned for next month’s article, where we will get into all things scratching – why they do it, what they need and how to set it up.

If you have any questions about this month’s article, or questions about behavior concerns with your cat, you can reach out to me at cathy.simonini@rispca.org. I am happy to be a resource to you and your cat.