Understanding your cat's play behavior

Why Do Cats Play?

Play is essential for cats, whether they’re kittens or full-grown adults and super-seniors. It provides them with mental stimulation, physical exercise, and an outlet for their natural hunting instincts. In fact, play often mimics hunting behaviors, like chasing, pouncing, and batting at toys. Play helps keep them sharp, strong, and happy.

What Does Play Look Like?

Understanding your cat’s play behavior starts with observing what kind of play they enjoy. Here are a few common play types:

🧶 Solo Play: Cats are independent creatures, and many of them enjoy playing on their own. You might notice your cat batting at a toy, chasing a string, or even attacking a paper ball in a flurry of excitement. This type of play helps your cat burn off energy and keep their mind engaged.

👫 Interactive Play: This is the kind of play that involves you, the human. Think laser pointers, feather wands, or tug-of-war with a rope toy. It’s a great way to bond with your cat and provide them with some extra mental stimulation.

🐾 Predatory Play: Cats, especially young ones, have an instinctive drive to hunt. This means their play can often look like a miniature version of stalking and pouncing. If your cat seems laser-focused on their toy, it might be tapping into their natural predatory instincts.

😼 Rough Play: Some cats get a little feisty during playtime, especially if they’re feeling extra energetic. They might swat or even nip at you or toys in a way that’s more intense than their usual gentle batting. This type of play is normal but should always be monitored to make sure it doesn’t escalate into aggression.

How to Track Your Cat’s Play

So, how do you know if your cat’s play behavior is healthy? This is where Moggie comes in. By tracking your cat’s play sessions, you can get a clearer picture of how much mental and physical stimulation they’re getting each day.

With Moggie’s activity tracker, you can monitor:

📊 Frequency of play: Is your cat engaging in play every day? If not, it might be time to get creative with new toys or games.

⏱️ Duration: How long are play sessions? You’ll want to make sure your cat’s having enough active playtime to stay fit and healthy. (here is how we measure play activity)

🔍 Intensity: While we can’t measure “enthusiasm” directly, tracking patterns in play can give you an idea of how engaged your cat is. A sudden drop in play could indicate boredom or a possible health issue.

When Should You Be Concerned?

Play is important, but too much or too little can signal something else might be going on. If you notice:

🚨 A drastic decrease in play

⚡ A change in play style (e.g., from gentle to aggressive)

💤 No interest in toys or games

It is worth checking in with your vet, especially if it’s accompanied by other changes in behavior (like grooming, sleeping habits or aggression).