Training Talk with Eileen: Cat Play – More Than Meets the Eye 

What’s more fun than playing with cats and kittens? They stalk, chase, pounce and catch moving objects with what seems to be an extra dose of drama. While this is fun for everyone involved, to the cat, this is more than just play. These patterns are an expression of behaviors rooted deep in their DNA and mimic the predatory sequence of their wild ancestors. Most modern house cats, however, are missing a part of that sequence, and that is eating what they catch.   

Since their toys aren’t usually edible objects, we can replicate that for them. Any game you play with your cat, such as a feather wand or toy on a string can be enhanced by finishing the play session with something your cat can eat. After 5-10 minutes of play, let your cat catch the toy, then give your cat a meal in a bowl or a tasty treat next to the toy. Now your cat can feel like the accomplished hunter they are. 

This is especially important if you use a laser or other light toy as a play item. These move quickly and can replicate the movements a bug would make. It’s great fun for the cat, but there is nothing to catch so the predatory sequence is stopped even earlier which may cause an unhealthy level of frustration for the cat.  

To keep this style of play healthy give your cat a short game of chase the laser, then let the laser dot “land” on an actual toy the cat can catch. Even better, place a treat on top of the toy so the cat can catch and then eat their prey. While playing with a laser, ensure the light doesn’t run the cat into the wall or furniture, and never spin your cat in circles with the light.    

If you have a cat who seems to “attack” out of nowhere, give this a try daily and notice if, in 3-4 weeks, the behavior has lessened.