It can happen that cats prefer to play with other objects compared to the toys we buy specifically for them.
This can happen for several reasons but it’s important to keep in mind that cats have it first and foremost different personalities and tastes and secondly they may not like the same things that we human beings like.
Cats are naturally curious and can also be attracted to simple objects such as dry leavesmoving wires or cardboard boxes, which are of little interest to us.
Why doesn’t the cat play with its toys?
It is possible that a game that seems cute and interesting to us is not as stimulating for a cat. This is normal if we consider the thousands of years of evolution that separate us and the decidedly different habits of our species.
Cat toys on the market sometimes have characteristics that are not at all attractive to our feline friends and the variety of products is not that wide.
The classics stuffed mice, for example, are very rarely liked by cats over four months of age, especially if they are large. On the contrary, for us having a giant stuffed animal could be a lot of fun.
In general, then, each cat has its own individual preferences when it comes to toys and being very curious animals they can really be attracted to everything. Observing your cat’s behavior and experimenting with different types of objects can be useful to understand what stimulates him most.
Why does the cat prefer other objects?
There are several reasons why a cat might prefer other objects to its toys. For one thing, cat toys often have a uniform texturesuch as fabric or plastic, while it may be more interesting for the cat to have different textures available, such as paper, corrugated cardboard or synthetic fur.
Furthermore, the natural smell cardboard can be more interesting than a plastic material that does not have it. Some cats are attracted to objects that move or make sounds when they are moved or stepped on, such as dry leaves in the windwhich can resemble moving insects.
Finally, the objects that offer a sense of challenge to the cat, such as string, balls of yarn, or a ball, can be more rewarding to chase and grab than toys that are designed to be picked up easily. In theory, any object in the house can stimulate the cat’s curiosity, especially if new or never seen beforeand be more interesting than the old games.
What are cats’ favorite games?
Cats are animals from strong personality and every individual has some specific preferences. However, there are some types of games that often attract many cats.
The toys with feathers or ribbons attached to a wand they are often a hit with cats, because they can simulate the movement of prey, encouraging the cat to jump and hunt. The same goes for the fur balls.
Unlike dogs, cats could scare yourself with toys that make loud sounds like whistles and trumpets. In general, they prefer objects that make softer sounds when squeezed. The cardboard objectsfor example, are loved by many cats.
Our feline friends also love it hide inside the boxes and in some cases even in bags or containers. Also toys that dispense food they can be very rewarding and encourage the cat to work for a reward, stimulating both the mind and body.
