My cats are lazy couch spuds! They have *never* been "playful". How can I get them to play?
I have two cats, a tom and a female, both around 5.5 years old (different litters). My tom played for about a year before deciding that he was too dignified for it. My female has never been playful.
I’ve tried everything from stuffed catnip toys, glowing balls, bells-in-balls, string toys, lasers, you-name-it, etc. They like catnip, but it doesn’t entice them to "get crazy" and expend energy. They rarely, if ever, get "midnight crazies".
My cats are starting to get fat. What can I do?
Thanks.
They are indoor only and for health and safety reasons (we have a cat-killer across the street), they are not allowed outside.. ever.
A lot of good ideas from CC, thank you! These are the types of ideas that I’m looking for, as I’ve said earlier, I’ve tried all kinds of cat toys & catnip and nothing has worked so far.
I’ve never heard of "walking cats in the house" before & it’d probably work with mine!Thanks again.
One word…catnip.
I have 3 cats and 2 of them were never playful until they got some catnip toys for Christmas.
December 22nd, 2012 at 2:48 am
give them a ball of yarn!
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December 22nd, 2012 at 3:11 am
One word…catnip.
I have 3 cats and 2 of them were never playful until they got some catnip toys for Christmas.
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December 22nd, 2012 at 3:39 am
You might find that they are sleeping all day, then walking around at night and not doing anything because no one is awake. Cats are naturally nocturnal, but you can change that by having them up and awake when you are and then let them sleep when you do.
Hm…if you tickle them they will either one, try to stop you aka play! or two, try to get away.
I know many cats…well every cat I have known is very ticklish on their tummies. If you tickle them with a toy (best to use a mouse or plush toy that is same size as the cat is.) on their tummy and watch them get mad and play with the toy. Be careful and don’t use your hand if you aren’t quicker than they are because they will kick you with their back feet and try to bite.
Try it and if that doesn’t work and if they aren’t just being active because when they are awake no one is awake…then you might want to consider walking them in the house.
You don’t have to rewrite your schedule…just tie the leash to your belt loop if you need both hands and go on as usual, just having them follow you around.
It is possible since they are getting older(though highly unlikely) that they have a thyroid problem that will cause weight gain no matter the amount of food or exercise. Take them to the vet to get them tested for thyroids, because if they do…it is best to catch it early.
Good Luck!
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December 22nd, 2012 at 4:26 am
try tickeling them underthe belly. my cat always attacks me wen i do it. or get a dog. they’ll have no choice then! lol! my cat plays with my dog wen pumpkin(the dog) attacks fluffy(the cat). she act’s like she hates, but i think she likes it. u can try tickeling her with a toy stuffed with catnip, and maby sprinkle catnip on it. good luck!!!
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my cat,fluffy
December 22nd, 2012 at 4:46 am
First question if they are fattening up is. Are you open container feeding or just 2 cups a day(depends on your food look near their correct weight) 1 cup in morning and 1 cup at night. For playing i use sheer or tulle, and my hand. Drape fabric to hide its your hand and play with belly and especially back feet. Also make sure you pet them regularly especially around ears and under chin,not with tulle though. Also yes wake them up all the time . Hope it helps.
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December 22nd, 2012 at 5:07 am
My cat is very lazy too and the only way she ever started playing with me was when she was a year old.
1 I suggest that you should try giving the cats tuna and scrambled eggs becuase then they will come to like you and might start playing.
2 Another way to play with them is to get them going. Once they have gone nuts try playing with them.
(Use #2 at your own risk.)
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December 22nd, 2012 at 5:33 am
You’ve gotten some really good suggetions so far. The two things I would add are these
If you haven’t already switched to an "indoor cat" formula food, I’d start mixing that into their kibble, gradually weaning them onto the indoor formula.
The second thing you can do that is food related is make them work for their food. Measure out the amount of food they should have in a day. Depending on the size of the cat and the brand of food served, this can range anywhere from 1/2 cup to a full cup a day. Portion their food into smaller servings and put it in different places throughout the house – under a bed, behind the couch, on top of things they’re allowed to jump on, and so forth. As long as both cats are equal involved in "hunting" their meals, neither will overeat or starve. If you do this with even just half their food a day, it’ll get them up and moving and engaging in active hunting type behaviors and that’ll help prevent them from gaining too much more weight.
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December 22nd, 2012 at 5:58 am
play with them (it will take time for then to get used to it)
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