Cats may be incredibly loving, but they’re mostly recognized for being extremely entertaining. One of our favorite things about adopting a cat is spending time playing with him. On the other hand, if our cat suddenly stops playing, it’s normal that we may get concerned.
So, let us discuss why your cat is not playful? And what to do about it?
When your cat isn’t interested in playing, it can be frustrating. Apart from sickness, the reason for it might be as simple as play style or toy selection. Each cat has their unique set of tastes, and they may not find their present selections to be particularly appealing.
Most likely, the sort of play is uninteresting to the cat. In play time, some cats like to connect with their owners directly by engaging in a game of fetch or chase games, while others prefer to interact with their guardians at a distance through the use of string teaser toys.
Depending on your cat, they may choose to play independently with interactive toys that are either battery operated or need the cat to do some action to keep the game going.
Some cat parents engage in hand-to-hand play with their feline companions. When engaging in hand play with cats, it is not encouraged since they may become overwhelmed and may bite or scratch you. When they link hand to play with an unpleasant experience, they may skip the game entirely and instead engage in protective actions.
Cats have preferences when it comes to the types of toys that they like playing with. There are many cat toys available on the market, so picking the appropriate one for your cat might be challenging. Some toys include features such as bounce, squeak, chirp, feathers, hair, tails, float, light up, and so on. They may choose to play with a certain sort of toy over others.
You must consider these 2 points before making conclusions for reasons related to cat playing.
1. Consider Their Age
If you’ve raised your cat from a kitten, you’re probably used to the high levels of energy that come with “kittenhood.” As cats reach adult age, they tend to become less active and more relaxed in their daily lives. As a result, if your adult cat is playing less than they did when they were a kitten, this is a relatively common occurrence. Individuality distinguishes some adult cats from others when it comes to their level of playfulness.
Even in older cats, certain age-related conditions such as arthritis might impair a cat’s ability to engage in play and diminish their overall activity level. Make use of low-impact types of play, such as hiding their favorite sweets and encouraging them to go hunting for them.
2. Consider Their Size and Weight
Exercising can be difficult for cats that are overweight or obese, just as it is for humans since they are little creatures, and carrying about all that additional weight can make it tough to move around, much alone sprint and jump in search of a toy. How you can help your cat lose weight is to consult with your veterinarian about putting them on a diet that will help them lose weight safely and healthily. The premature loss of weight in overweight cats might result in hepatic lipidosis, a severe health problem. Aside from the fact that losing weight will benefit your cat’s health and well-being in general, you may notice that they have much more energy than they had previously and begin to play again – which will aid in their weight loss efforts, as well.
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What Is Causing My Cat to Stop Playing?
You may wonder how do i get my cat to play? Cats are naturally energetic and lively creatures, therefore it is unusual to see them cease playing. There are a variety of reasons why a cat may stop playing, some of them are as follows:
- Toys that are boring or outdated
- Stress
- Depression
- Trauma
- Health-related concerns
Boring or Outdated Toys
The most obvious reason for your cat’s sudden lack of interest in their toys is that they have lost interest in them in general. It’s possible that they’ve owned these toys for a long time or that no one wants to play with them anymore. Nonetheless, this is a frequent issue and one for which a simple remedy may be found.
Because of their inquisitive and lively temperament, cats are very easy to keep entertained. Many people are captivated by the simple sight of a cardboard box. So, if you’ve discovered that your cat isn’t playing with their toys anymore, it may be time to invest in some new and intriguing toys that will pique their interest once again. These 5 types of cat toys are best to help stimulate your cat.
You may either purchase some new toys from your local pet store, such as a fake mouse, ball, feathers, and so on, or you can construct your own at home.
Stress
There are reasons why a cat may become anxious, ranging from relocating to a new area to loud noises to the introduction of a new pet into the home. In any case, we must be aware of what to do if our cat becomes stressed. For them to feel comfortable and at peace in their own house, they must do so. So we can assist them in leading a happy and healthy life.
The remedy to this problem would be to first assist them in becoming more relaxed and not feeling anxious. After that, they will be more likely to want to play again. Their stress levels will decrease if they spend quality time with them and play with them. They will also feel more accompanied and loved.
Depression
Another possibility for why your cat has stopped playing all of a sudden is that he or she is suffering from depression. Depression in cats can be triggered by various factors, similar to stress, including the introduction of a new pet into the family, punishment, the loss of their primary caregiver, and so on.
To cope with depression, you will need to be patient and sympathetic, as they will want your assistance now more than they have in the past. They will feel less lonely and unhappy if you engage in social activities with them, show them affection, keep them company, and engage in play with them.
After recovering from the stressful circumstance that caused their sadness, your cat will revert to being the curious, loving, and playful cat they were before the incident occurred.
Trauma
When adopting a cat from a shelter, keep in mind that these cats may be fearful, worried, depressed, or traumatized due to past care givers who have failed to provide enough care. The reason your young or adult cat isn’t playing yet after you’ve adopted them from a shelter may be because they’re too young to play.
Being patient, sensitive, and loving while dealing with traumatized cats is crucial since we don’t know what caused their distress and don’t want to exacerbate it. With time, kids will trust us and realize that they are now in a secure environment. We must be patient with them and allow them their space while yet showing them affection.
It is also crucial to try to play with them; however, bear in mind that some cats with a bad upbringing may not know how to play. Nonetheless, we can assist them in recovering and living their best lives if we give them enough time and compassion.
Health Problems
Finally, your cat may have stopped playing suddenly owing to a medical condition. You should take your cat to the veterinarian for a check-up to be safe, as this might be a clinical indicator of an underlying illness or other health problem. Some of the most prevalent health conditions that cause a cat to cease playing are as follows:
- Obesity: Fat cats may have difficulty moving around and playing because of their excess weight. Because being physically active is physically uncomfortable, they may choose to stay in bed and sleep more than average. Speaking with your veterinarian about the proper nutrition for your cat and how to get them more active will help them lose weight and get back to being healthy in this situation.
- Arthritis: This, along with other health concerns associated with old age, might restrict the amount of activity and movement a cat can get in. It is necessary to send your cat to the veterinarian if they show signs of arthritis. Only a veterinarian can provide an accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapy.
- Anemia: This condition can cause cats to get fatigued because their bodies do not obtain the necessary nutrients to perform correctly. You will also require expert assistance because your cat’s illness will require a thorough examination by a veterinarian to determine the most appropriate medication for them.
- Visual impairment: As cats get older, they may begin to lose their vision. They may become less fun as a result of this. More information on how to care for blind cats may be found in our post on adopting blind cats.
If you suspect that your cat’s lack of activity is related to a medical condition, it is important to take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Your veterinarian can even assist you in determining the best way to care for your nervous, sad, or traumatized cat.
Although these issues need time and patience to resolve, there are remedies available that will assist your cat in recovering and living its best life.
Tips for Encouraging Your Cat to Play
Cats, particularly indoor cats, require frequent physical activity. Playing with your cat is a sort of activity that will not only keep them entertained but will also be beneficial to their health and well-being as well.
Getting indoor cats to become more active might be difficult because they are naturally more passive than their outdoor counterparts.
Here are some pointers to entice your cat to engage in playful behavior.
Health Concerns
Cats are skilled at concealing sickness since they are prey to larger animals and must avoid being eaten. They do not want to admit to being weak. There are few instances where physical disease symptoms serve as the initial indicator that anything is wrong with their health. It is suggested that you take your cat to the veterinarian if he or she suddenly loses interest in playing with toys. When a change in behavior is noted, it is beneficial to rule out any underlying sickness.
Different Play Style
If you have been playing with your cat with your hands, you may want to move to a different manner since cats might become overstimulated by our motions and become aggressive. The majority of the time, when cats become overstimulated, they behave defensively by swatting or biting. Instead of using your hands, try using a string teaser sort of toy.
If you’re playing with a string toy, attempt to move it in the same way that the cat would move its prey. Create mouse-like actions such as scurrying and stopping or replicate bird-like flying and landing behaviors. Experiment with the speed and duration of the “hunt” to see how long it takes them to capture it.
Tossing toys for your cat to pursue is a good idea. Some cats have picked up on the routine and have begun bringing the toy back.
Find Your Cat’s Schedule
At various periods of the day, you may notice that your cat is more lively than usual. When your cat has more energy, he or she is more inclined to engage in playful behavior.
Finding out when the time of day your cat will be most amenable to playing and then experimenting with different toys on them is an excellent suggestion.
It’s critical to understand when your cat will want to play and release energy and when they will refuse to cooperate. If you maintain a consistent schedule, your cat may become aware of this and be ready to play at the appropriate times.
Toys
Give your cat a selection of toys to choose from. Get toys that are distinct in terms of appearance, fragrance, and movement. Some cats will only interact with toys if they smell like catnip or have a reward dispenser attached to them. The Hexbug Nano and the Hexbug mouse are two examples of battery-operated toys that other cats like.
The Catit Senses toys, for example, are popular with certain cats because they are on a track and move once the cat interacts with them.
If they already have an extensive collection of toys, divide them in half and keep them in an area your cat cannot get; switch the two parts every week or a month. Changing the rotation of toys may make old items seem new and interesting again.
Try rearranging the toys in different areas; perhaps you have an empty box from a recent delivery that you could use. Place a few toys in the box and let your cat rediscover the toys already in the box.
Using a chair, suspend the string toy to create an interesting visual effect as people pass by.
Make use of your imagination when presenting and placing toys about the house, and experiment to determine which kind your cat prefers.
Getting Rid of Stress
Because of the amount of activity in your home, your cat may get overwhelmed by the amount of noise and movement. It is essential to provide your cat with plenty of hiding spots, particularly high areas such as cat trees.
Once the cat appears to be more at ease, choose a calm moment and proceed slowly. This might be as simple as gently tossing a toy their way while giving them plenty of room. A string toy can also be handy because it does not necessitate the cat being right close to you all of the time.
Make Use of Treats!
Giving your cat some goodies is a terrific approach to get him or her to participate in a game. Rewarding your cat after a successful game can help them link play with positive experiences.
Catnip is a type of treat that cats like. A catnip inhalation will provide an energy boost, and you may give your cat a few drops before playing.
Other Possibilities
Some cats prefer to do things other than play, such as grooming themselves. If this is the case, you should give your cat a variety of enrichment options. A common hobby for many people is bird watching, whether setting up a bird feeder outside a window or watching a video of birds feeding on television.
The creation of a potted cat garden may keep your cat occupied as it munches on cat grass and sniffs plants and herbs such as valerian, catnip, parsley, and other similar plants and herbs.
