They don't want to play!

[DunravenBadger]

How do I get my cats to engage? They used to enjoy playing with a feather on a stick type of toy. Lately they run to the cupboard when I go to get it out, seem excited but then as soon as it's out they just don't engage. I've tried different types of ends (different types of feathers and things), playing with balls, mice etc but they don't engage. But then they're acting like they're restless. I don't know what else to try.

Do you think they're depressed?

Tried a laser pointer? Mine go through phases of what the like to play with, they get bored of one type of toy & move on to another. But the laser pointer will ALWAYS get them going!

@Allergictoironing

Tried a laser pointer? Mine go through phases of what the like to play with, they get bored of one type of toy & move on to another. But the laser pointer will ALWAYS get them going!

Yeah tried that. They'll watch it but won't go for it. When they were kittens (they're 2 now), they'd go for it but haven't for a while now.

Any other types of toys I can try? I can understand them getting bored of one particular thing, we do the same. I'm just not sure what else to try.

@HamFisted

Do you think they're depressed?

Could be? I don't know....

www.thesprucepets.com/is-your-cat-sad-553922

Check on there. Any bells ringing?

Do they have access to outside?

Other than not playing like they used to, nothing jumps out on the list.

They don't have access to the outside no. We live near a very busy main road so they've always been indoor cats. I've never figured out how to make our garden safe so they can't run onto the road. Maybe I need to look into making a catio.

There’s a few companies doing catproofing now and you can fit it yourself or pay them to do it.

I’d try the catnip banana toy on amazon or the rechargeable flappy fish.

There are few companies who do reasonably priced outdoor enclosures they could spend time in if catprooding the garden isnt possible.

My cats are coming up for 2 and i just think they're getting to an age where they're not as hyper any more. Or maybe they're moody teenagers who just want to spend all day in bed!

I agree with PP- access to the outside would probably help. Remember how miserable lots of people got from not being able to go outside in lockdown, and we're able to rationalise it and entertain ourselves to a greater extent indoors than they are.

Tunnel toys or puzzle feeders might be an option. Even a paper bag or cardboard box. Two of ours like the flipping fish toy. Cat grass grown in a container is another option

My 19 year old cat never failed to be excited by the catnip banana, right up to her death. I've kept her last one as she loved it so much.

They are really young to be not interested in playing any more. My 11 year old boy still regularly plays with us, he loves the laser pointer and chasing after feathers on a stick. This morning he was chasing in and out of the house, jumping on me and then doing it all over again!

I think that looking into how they might be able to go outside is a really good idea. Good luck.

Thank you so much all, I really appreciate your help. We want to sort out our garden this year so cat proofing is something I'd like to look into.

You do need to rotate toys, they get bored. Zooplus does a good selection.

@Fluffycloudland77

There’s a few companies doing catproofing now and you can fit it yourself or pay them to do it.

I’d try the catnip banana toy on amazon or the rechargeable flappy fish.

I've found a flappy fish on a stick. Is that the kind of think you mean?

This one.

Alfonso cat likes to chase a feather on a toy fishing pole. I wave it around in the air and he leaps after it like a loony. Sometimes he kills the feather and looks very pleased with himself.

@Fluffycloudland77

This one.

That looks so cool, thanks!

I've actually got them playing this afternoon. I found an old stick (wand?) attachment I forgot we had that's a mouse with jingly balls inside. They absolutely loved it!

Mine have no interest in flappy fish.
They like chasing long bits of ribbon and that's about it unless they are chasing and fighting with each other

Ah, they sound bored of their usual toys if they new toy was a hit.