Find Your Cat's Preferred Play Style

Cats are natural hunters and their play style often mimics their hunting style. You may notice that your cat likes to hide under a piece of furniture and then jump out at your feet when you walk by. This behaviour is an example of your cat’s prey drive and your cat likely enjoys hunting and stalking ground prey. In order to find your cat’s preferred play style, you should provide your cat with a variety of toys and then mimic prey while moving the toys around. Watch your cat while they are playing and see what style of play they enjoy the most.

Steps

Mimicking Prey While Playing

1. Move toys along the ground if your cat enjoys ground play. Some cats prefer hunting on the ground and as a result enjoy playing with ground toys. This may be because the cat feels it can remain hidden while playing on the ground and stalking toys. Alternatively, it could be due to physical restraints. An overweight cat will not be able to jump through the air chasing after toys.
   • If your cat enjoys ground play, try dragging a toy along the ground. Move the toy slowly and then quickly across the floor so your cat can stalk, and then pounce on the toy.
2. Use air movements if your cat likes hunting birds. Many cats enjoy hunting birds or flying insects, such as butterflies. In order to mimic hunting through the air, you can use a wand or feather toy. Dangle the toy in the air so that your cat can leap and jump to catch the toy.
   • Play in a safe space with lots of room so that your cat does not get injured while jumping.
3. Change the play style periodically. Your cat’s play preference may change as they become older and less mobile. Alternatively, your cat may become bored if you only ever engage in one style of play. Even if your cat has a preferred style, you should always mix up your play strategy. This will keep your cat engaged and you will notice if your cat’s play preference changes.
4. Let your cat win. This will provide your cat with a reward and will keep them engaged in the game. If the cat is never able to catch the “prey” they may become frustrated and bored.
   • It is always a good idea to end a play session after your cat catches the toy.

Monitoring Your Cat's Mood While Playing

1. Notice when your cat is in a playful mood. When your cat is happy and enjoying play it will signal this through its body language. A playful cat will have their ears pointed forward, the tail will be up, and their eyes will be slightly dilated. This means that your cat is in a playful mood and enjoying the play. They may also crouch down and stalk a toy and then pounce on it.
   • This signals that they are engaged and enjoying the play session.
   • If you notice these body language cues while playing with your cat, it means that they are enjoying the play style.
2. Recognize when your cat is overstimulated or irritated. When a cat is unsatisfied with a certain play style, their ears will be turned back and their tail will be tall and possibly twitching. They may even nip at you to signal that they are unhappy. Alternatively, a cat may just ignore your attempts to play if they do not like the game, toy, or style of play.
3. Listen to your cat while you play. Cats also communicate vocally by purring, meowing, or hissing. If your cat is purring or meowing while you play, it likely means that they are content and enjoying the style of play. If your cat begins to hiss, growl, or spit, it means they are annoyed, frightened, or angry. This is likely an indication that they are not enjoying the game or play style.

Providing a Variety of Toys

1. Purchase interactive toys. Interactive toys, such as wand toys, can be used to help determine your cat’s prey drive and play style. For example, you can move the toy along the ground or through the air mimicking different types of prey. Other types of interactive toys include balls and stuffed animals that can be thrown and then chased by your cat.
2. Buy small toys. Cats typically hunt small prey, such as mice, insects, bunnies, and small birds. As a result, the toys they play with should reflect the size of their natural prey.
   • For example, a large toy may be too intimidating and could be seen as a predator rather than prey.
3. Notice when your cat gives you a toy. If your cat ever gives you a toy this likely indicates that they like this toy and want to play. For example, a cat may drop a ball in your lap to signal that they want you to throw the ball. Keep track of the toys that your cat gives to you. These likely reflect your cat's preferred style of play.

Tips

• Keep play sessions short and always end the session if your cat seems bored or exhausted.
• Cats are most active at dawn and dusk. As a result, this is the best time to play with your cat.
• You should also interact and play with your cat at least once or twice each day.

Warnings

• Avoid using your body as prey while playing with your cat. This may lead to behavioural issues because your cat will view your hands, feet, etc. as something to attack.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Dog‐Sit when You Have a Cat
• Convince Your Parents to Let You Get a Cat (Teens)
• Give Selamectin to Cats with Parasites
• Use Cats for Pest Control
• Use Cat Tunnels
• Give Atenolol to Cats with Heart Disease
• Give Your Cat Cozy Sleeping Spaces
• Treat Burns on a Cat
• Help a Cat Recover from Hip Dislocation Surgery
• Treat Acetaminophen Toxicity in Cats

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