Play is an essential part of a cat’s life. It provides an outlet for energy, a way to build confidence and trust, and fills a natural need to hunt. Interactive play between you and your cat is typically the most valuable form of play you can provide.
However, there’s another layer to the story. Routine play can support your goals for a well-behaved, happy cat. Random play has less power and “on demand” play can even work against your goals. Read on to learn the benefits of creating a routine in the way you play with your cat.
Why: Routine, Rather Than Random
Cats benefit from predictability; knowing what’s coming is great for lowering stress. Whether your cat is prone to anxiety or bouts of naughtiness, routine can decrease unwanted behaviors and help your cat be happier.
By creating a routine, your cat can trust that play will happen. They can learn when it’s time to relax and not ask to play constantly. This might also mean they are quicker to engage in the game, if they are a reluctant player, because they can learn to expect and be ready for it.
Why: Routine, Rather Than “On Demand”
If you wait for your cat to ask for play, they won’t necessarily wait for a convenient time for you. A cat who only gets play when they “ask” or show particular behaviors will continue until they get the interaction. This can easily create a cycle of a cat being annoying, demanding, even aggressive, in order to get you to play with them. Once established, attempts to ignore them can lead to escalation. (Read more about the downside of trying to ignore problem behavior.)
Cat guardians often hear “play with your cat more” as a recommended solution for the behavior issues they’re experiencing. While this is great advice, if play is only provided in response to the unwanted behavior, this will actually become a reward for that behavior. Rewards increase the behavior they follow. In other words, your attempt to stop a behavior may be causing it to continue or increase!
Attack my person’s ankles -> get a play session!
Don’t attack my person’s ankles -> nothing…
Your cat’s choice is easy!
Play, enrichment, and attention are a necessary part of a cat’s daily activity. They can’t be provided only when your cat pesters you for them.
How: Creating a Powerful Routine
The timing of your play can help support your cat’s natural rhythm. Substitute “play” with “hunt”. What happens after a cat hunts? They get to eat what they caught! Pairing play and food lets your cat feel satisfied after the activity. If they play/hunt and don’t get to catch/eat, then their inner-predator tells them to go right back to hunting. But if they finish the play/hunt with a meal, they can relax for a while.
Try to play with your cat before their daily meals. Use a fishing pole-type cat toy to create an exciting hunting experience (where exciting is defined by your cat’s specific likes and needs). If your cat doesn’t want to play before eating or your schedule doesn’t allow you to pair these things, then offer a small snack (subtracted from your cat’s daily food intake) or a few treats at the end of play.
Tips for the Human Side of the Equation
Often our cat’s behavior is a lot easier to change than our own. If you’re struggling with maintaining your cat’s play routine, try these tips:
- Pair play with part of your own routine. For example, put your cat’s toy next to your coffee pot and play while the coffee brews. Or keep the toy near the TV remote and play when you sit down to watch TV after dinner.
- Make it fun for you. If playing with your cat doesn’t hold your attention, choose an activity you do want to do and combine them. Listen to music, a daily podcast, or a chapter in your audiobook.
- Print a calendar. Tick off each day after you’ve had your play session. As the checkmarks build up, you’ll be motivated to keep the chain going.
Routine vs Schedule
A routine is a sequence of events done regularly, in a flow compared to one another. A schedule is a plan with specific timings.
Routine:
- Wake up, then
- Brush teeth, then
- Get dressed, then
- Start coffee, then
- Play with cat, then…
Schedule:
- 7:30am: Wake up
- 7:35am: Brush teeth
- 7:40am: Get dressed
- 7:55am: Start coffee
- 8:00am: Play with cat
A schedule isn’t flexible; a routine lets things naturally flow from one thing to another. A schedule creates specific expectations for the time of day that something will happen; a routine allows current activities to predict what will happen next.
By focusing on a routine, rather than schedule, you can maintain flexibility and avoid a cat that gets mischievous or stressed if you’re five minutes late. Your cat can learn what to expect based on what you’re doing and be ready when you are, rather than when the clock strikes.
Play is a wonderful way to bond with your cat, boost their happiness, and promote good behavior. Play is a necessary part of your cat’s life and can’t wait until they demand it.
Creating a routine for daily play will also ensure that play is serving your goals in the most effective way, and not counteracting them. Win-win!
By focusing on a routine, rather than schedule, you can maintain flexibility and avoid a cat that gets mischievous or stressed if you’re five minutes late. Your cat can learn what to expect based on what you’re doing and be ready when you are, rather than when the clock strikes.
If you’ve tried to use play to solve a behavior problem but are still struggling, consider scheduling a private behavior consultation.