Comic Strips

Cats love to play hunt though, for most cats their hunting drive is so strong that I think a lot of indoor cats get screwed over by the idea people have that you don't have to play with them the same way you do a dog.

If you want your indoor cat to be happy you do have to play with them (they will be happy outdoors too but they will murder wildlife needlessly :( :( ). Play doesn't just mean interacting with them and giving them attention however, in fact some cats barely desire or need that.

Play means giving your cat an athletic challenge where they can use their bodies in a burst of energy and skill to try to stalk or catch something.

The most longterm successful cat toy I have found is just a wire close hangar straightened out with a length of string and a knot or bit of cloth tied at the end of the string for weight. Make the string wiggle across the ground or through the air like a snake using the springy snap and even if you don't think your cat likes to play hunt they will likely go nuts.

Laserpointers are fun for you, they don't give your cat something satisfying to actually succeed or fail at catching, which on that point when your cat successfully catches the toy, let them have it so they can proudly walk away with it in their mouth like a lion.

Every damn time I make a cat toy for people, show them how it works, and give to them, their cat IMMEDIATELY nails the toy and then they sit their frustrated their cat got it so quick and tug on the string trying to get their cat to let it go. Cats don't generally like tug of war, they like hunting tiny little squeeky things in ambushes. Let the toy go so your cat can be proud of their catch and walk away with it, this is your chance to praise them! Then pick the toy back up 30 seconds later.

This is also simply hands down the best way to befriend cats because they will immediately associate you with the joy of hunting...which for 99% of cats rockets you to the top of their list of favorite people, especially if you are nice to them too.