Did you know that play isn’t just fun for cats? It’s how they learn and practice their hunting skills. Hunting is a natural behavior that even indoor cats need to replicate in order to live happy, active lifestyles.
In this article, we’ll discuss how cats hunt, the stages of hunting, and how to choose the most stimulating toys for your cat.
Stages of Hunting in Cats
Cats hunt in stages, from carefully stalking their prey to those excited butt wiggles when they’re ready to pounce! Once the prey is caught, it’s time to kill it, eat it, and sleep. Then, your cat will wake ready to start the cycle again.
Stalk
Cats may spend a long time stalking their prey. While this can seem boring to humans who want to see their cat running and pouncing, it’s an essential part of the hunting experience. They’re conserving their energy and getting to know how the prey moves.
It may also seem like your cat is uninterested or lazy during this stage, but please continue to play with them! If their eyes are tracking the toy, they’re engaged.
Chase
The next step is the chase. Cats don’t tend to do a lot of chasing. They’re sprinters, rather than distance runners.
You can encourage chasing during play by moving across the room from your cat, or even bringing the toy from room to room, so that they follow behind.
Pounce
Some cats will go straight from stalking to pouncing. They like to sneak up on their prey and catch them off guard!
Kill
Of course, your cat also has to kill whatever they’re hunting! In play sessions, this might mean biting or bunny kicking the toy. They might carry it around or drop it and bat at it, as though checking if it’s dead.
Eat
Once the hunt is over, it’s time to eat! This is why it’s good to play with your cat before meals, as it replicates the natural hunting order.
You can also give your cat treats to complete the cycle. This is especially good if you’re taking away the wand toy to put it up, or if you’re using a laser pointer that your cat can never truly catch. Giving treats in these instances can also help prevent frustration.
Sleep
Once your cat has expended their energy and eaten their meal, they’re probably ready for a rest.
You can use this to your advantage if your cat is super active or rambunctious. Play with them before you head into work, or just before bedtime.
The Best Toys to Simulate Hunting for Cats
Wand Toys
Wand toys are essential for active play sessions! It’s important to have a toy that you can use to interact directly with your cat, that encourages movement and moves unpredictably.
Wand toys are great because they’re made with cats in mind, but you can also improvise with something like a shoelace or ribbon. Anything that’s long and can be waved around for your cat to chase will work.
Remember not to leave your cat unsupervised with long, stringy objects like shoelaces or ribbon, as these can be very dangerous if swallowed.
Electronic Motion Toys
Electronic toys that spin or crawl across the floor are great for keeping cats occupied with little effort from you. However, their movements tend to be more predictable, and some cats will grow bored of them quickly.
They’re best used infrequently on days when you can’t play with your cat directly, or in addition to interactive play.
Laser Pointers
Laser pointers are fun for cats, but they can also be frustrating if used wrong. Never being able to catch their “prey” can make cats obsessive about the little light, as they never get to finish the hunting process.
To solve this issue, toss a treat for your cat when they “catch” the laser in their paws. Always end with that treat so that your cat feels satisfied, like their job is complete.
Tunnels
Tunnels can heighten the play experience by giving your cat somewhere to hide and stalk their prey. They can also be used for independent play or to enhance play between cats!
Catnip Toys
Catnip toys can be batted, chased, and carried around. They can also be used for active play if you toss them across the room for your cat to chase.
These toys can be boring for some cats, and they might look over the “dead” toys on the ground. However, many cats enjoy them for independent play. The catnip provides some encouragement to interact with them!
Fetch Toys
Toys that your cat can chase, such as balls, springs, and pom poms, are great additions to your cat toy collection. Like catnip toys, some cats might not engage with them much, while others will play with them daily.
Try a variety of toys made from different materials. Some cats like toys that make noise, such as bells or crinkle toys.
More Tips For Playing With Your Cat
Lastly, here are some additional fun and safety tips for playing with your cat:
- Keep wand toys and motion toys away when not in use. This helps your cat associate them with playtime, and is also an important safety step.
- Rotate your cat’s toys to keep them more engaged.
- During interactive play, move the toys unpredictably! Vary the speed, have the wand toy get “stuck” on an object, and try to keep the toy moving away from your cat rather than toward them.
- Encourage your cat to exercise in various ways, including running, jumping, and climbing. Add objects to their environment that they can interact with during play, such as tunnels or cat trees.
- Cater to your cat’s hunting preferences, whether they like jumping to catch prey in the air or stalking it across the floor.
- Adjust your play style to your cat’s age and abilities. Older cats may require slower movements, for instance.
- Experiment and find what works for you and your cat! There’s no right or wrong so long as they’re having fun.
