Q&A for How to Play With Cats

Use a laser pointer in the evening or at night, so it is easier to see in the dark. You can play with your cat as often as he wants. If he grows bored with the laser pointer, you may have to put it away for a couple of weeks, after which point the game will seem fresh and new.

If your cat is bored, it'll generally show less enthusiasm and close its eyes or just turn away from said game. If you are playing catch, for example, and your cat gets bored, they won't be alert, they'll lie down or be slow in catching or just not catch at all. When your cat is excited his pupils will grow quite large and his tail will be wagging rapidly to show excitement; if it's still or lazily moving and his pupils are small, he is bored.

Your cat may purr or show you its belly. It's tail may be straight up in the air. If the tail is curled, if the cat hisses, or if his/her ears are flat against its head, it is not happy and you should cease whatever you're doing.

Slowly introduce toys, first showing then putting them on the ground. If the kitten backs away, try again soon. If not, then your cat approves.

I would recommend about one cheap toy per week or month (or whenever you cat destroys them). This will allow your cat to have constant access to new toys.

You'll know they like it because they'll continue playing. When they stop playing, they might be tired or bored. Some purr while playing, but most just pounce, bunny-kick with their back feet, playfully bat you with their front paws, or playfully nip. If they nip too hard, quit playing, as you don't want them to think being too rough is ok.

Try using toys to get your cat to play with them instead of you.

Some cats just don't particularly enjoy playing with toys, especially when they get a bit older and less energetic. You can try using non-traditional toys for the cats, as long as it's a safe item. One of my cats barely plays with anything but straws and these balls used for crafting. Again, as long as they're safe and there's no risk of them swallowing it or it being poisonous.

You can usually feel the difference, where "angry bites" feel like they're attempting to cause damage and playful ones are softer and much more gentle. You can also look at their behavior. If you see any puffed tail, the tail pointing downwards, ears pointing up or even worse backwards, constricted pupils, etc they're probably scared or aggressively biting. If the pupils are dilated, the ears are pointing forwards and the cat overall seems to be playing it's probably fine just as long as it doesn't turn into a bad habit.

Play with one cat for a few seconds, give them their toy and play with the other cat for a few seconds. Or, put the toy in front of them and go back in forth to see which one grabs it. Whichever cat gets it, play with them for a few seconds, then do the same with the other cat. Play with it until they walk away or your hand gets tired.

Never play with a laser pointer. As you've experienced, it makes that cats frustrated because they never catch it. Use a wand toy instead, it's like a laser pointer but they can catch it. When playing with your cat, always make sure the cat feels like it won, so give it the toy for a few seconds so they can kick around and put it in their mouth. If you have to play with a laser pointer, give the cat some treats after to reward it, even if it couldn't actually catch the toy.

Some cats just won't play. Some cats prefer being brushed or petted over playing. If so, it is best to let them be, and just cuddle with them. You can't force them to play, maybe they want to play by themselves. In the meantime, maybe once in a while try a toy and, if they play with it, give them a reward.

Some cats get really scared by certain types of toys, especially if the toy is noisy, moves strangely or is heavy. Just stop playing with the toy and let it be. Or, you can bring the cat the ball and make the ball still, to let the cat figure it out.

It is not recommend to do play fighting with cats unless you use a toy. They don't understand when they have crossed the line when playing with a human, and they think scratching is okay because what they see it as is just playing. Use a toy and not your hands or arms!

No. This will scare them, do not do it. They might bite you if you do this.