5 Secrets to Keep Your Cat Playful & Stimulated

Are you sick of your cats not playing with all the toys you bought, but they see your leg as a cat tree or scratching post? They can be picky when it comes to toys and often choose to play with the most unexpected things ever. Their pickiness can make it challenging for you to keep them playful and engaged. Whether you’re a new cat parent or a kitty pro, finding ways to keep them engaging and mentally stimulated is key to their happiness and overall well-being. Check out the recommendation to find a harmony with your fluffballs.

1. Keep the Toys Out of Sight

Do your cats have toy buffets anywhere, or do you store them away? While your furry friends love to play, they tend to lose interest in their toys quickly if they see them all the time. To make things fun, mix them up — do not let them scatter all around the house. For example, store some away and bring them out periodically to keep the playtime refreshing and stimulating. Also, it helps to extend the toy's lifetime a bit as they are not constantly being chased by a gremlin. Rotate a new batch of toys every week or so, and their daily lives will be full of funnsies and surprises. 

2. Develop Some New Games

If you wanna keep your kitty entertained and mentally sharp, try introducing some interactive games. Cats are natural hunters, and they will enjoy games like hide-and-seek, fetching, and chasing toys. I know they can make a game out of anything, yet, owners' engagement does make a huge difference, too! Unlike just having toys for them, games can make bonding time more enjoyable and encourage cats to think, bounce and explore. Plus, being physically active is great for burning off their energy and brain power. 

3. Is It the Right Choice?

Wonder what the best choices are for your felines? Commonly, these “hunters” like toys do have prey-like characteristics, for example: furry mice, catnip toys, and even some DIY toys. Yet, every cat has their unique preference and personality; no one knows them better than you! Whether they are an “sneaky stalker”, a “jungle queen,” or a “chill guy”, try them out and carefully observe their “user review”. They do like a great variety of toys, so host a toy party for furries to see which toys they enjoy most and keep the playfulness to the max.

4. Consistency Is Key

Establishing a regular playtime for your cats can help them know when to expect some fun and interaction. A structured routine is a secret weapon that reduces boredom and prevents those destructive behaviours from their frustration or pent-up energy. A consistent play time would turn into “training” for paw-sitive habits and discourage some unwanted habits. Even just a small 5-10 minute session a day, magic will work its way out. Regular play can help reduce behaviour problems like aggression or scratching, because a tired, stimulated cat is a happy cat! Bonus: Always look for signs and know when your cat is overstimulated, it is not about the time since they are your boss!

5. Cat-proof Stimulating Environment

Cats do have some spontaneous zoomies and energy spikes in the house when the vibe is chill and relaxed at home. Cats constantly need stimulation in their living environment, but I understand you guys do not want them to treat our homes as a jungle. A vertical cat tree or scratching post is a good way to start. Their instinctive thoughts drive them to explore and play at any time, so it's important to let them just to engage and stimulate their natural behaviours.

Content: Phoebe Leung

Design: Phoebe Leung

References: 

Delgado, M., Marcinkiewicz, E., Rhodes, P., & Ellis, S. L. H. (2024). Identifying barriers to providing daily playtime for cats: A survey-based approach using COM-B analysis. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 280, Article 106420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106420 

Henning, J., Nielsen, T., Fernandez, E., & Hazel, S. (2023). Cats just want to have fun: Associations between play and welfare in domestic cats. Animal Welfare, 32, Article e9. https://doi.org/10.1017/awf.2023.2 

Strickler, B. L., & Shull, E. A. (2014). An owner survey of toys, activities, and behavior problems in indoor cats. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 9(5), 207–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2014.06.005