Why isn't my cat more playful?

[Henriettalll]

He is 7 years old and we adopted him when he was 5. He gets jumpy, shys away and runs away when we try to play with him. We tried different toys and different day times.

1. Why does he seem jumpy and scared and runs away when we play with him?

1. Are some cats just not interested in playing? Or is there something wrong with him?

He caught 2 mice from the garden since hes been with us and doesnt seem to have a strong hunting drive.

1. Do you have any ideas or toys that he might like? We tried mice toys, small balls, fishing rod/string style toys in feather or string. Would a food puzzle motivate him more than physical/chase/hunt toys?

He is british short hair.

Thanks

Is it all beneath him do you think?. Would he rather be groomed while you tell him what a handsome boy he is.

Mine aren't that interested in playing. Magic because she doesn't really know how to. And Cheddar because she's to lazy and just wants cuddles.

Maybe he wasn't played with as a kitten and doesn't "get" it. I have 2 rescues and one was found as a kitten living in a shed. She's nervy and isn't interested in playing, though she likes to snuggle on a warm lap at least.

I think when playing with some cats, less is more, so chucking around toys in an OTT way wouldn't entice them (not saying that's what you're doing). Sometimes just batting about an old cork or screwed up foil is enough!

We had an adult who’d never been played with, she got rather alarmed if you tried.

@Fluffycloudland77 yesss! 😂 it feels so! He gives tge toy and us such a dirty look like wtf are you doing? Alarmed is the exactly how he reacts!

@Toddlerteaplease that's interesting, reassuring to know that it's not just him. I love your cats name!

@DeborahAnnabelToo oh that's sad about yoir cat..i don't know what his 'infancy' was like.. i'm thinking he might not have been played with either. Yes definitely less is more the few times he swapped a toy was when it was moving very slowly infront of him.

Thank you everyone. I think we will let him carry on as he is and not bother about 'entertaining" him with toys.
And yes he loves cuddling up and being brushed 🤤