November 6, 2026, 8:57 am | Read time: 7 minutes

Mistake No. 1: the wrong toy

Cats are not dogs, and even though some enjoy fetching, most small hunters prefer toys that closely resemble their natural prey. This means small items with or without fur and feathers (cats also like to hunt insects) that move unpredictably and ideally flee from the cats. The play is not just fun; it also helps cats practice catching prey or fighting with peers.

It’s less about the toy mouse looking realistic and more about the cat being able to catch and “work on” it. Hunting involves several sequences like stalking, sneaking, catching, and biting. Laser pointer games make some cats dash wildly around the house but only engage the stalking and chasing sequences. The cat can never catch the light point, often leading to frustration and even aggression, so these games should be avoided or only used in combination with “real” toys.

Strings are an absolute no-go! Not only could the animals strangle themselves when wrapped around, but if the cat swallows the string, it can’t spit it out due to the backward-facing hooks on its rough tongue and must keep swallowing. If it’s a whole ball of yarn, meters of yarn end up in the cat, potentially leading to intestinal blockage and, in the worst case, the animal’s death.

Also interesting: 5 toys to combat cat boredom

Mistake No. 2: playing too rough

Cats are very sensitive animals, and even if it sometimes seems like kittens are quite rough with each other, they usually learn to regulate their strength during play. However, some kittens lack this experience during their socialization phase and haven’t learned when a bite is too hard during play.

Unfortunately, humans are not good substitute teachers, as many tend to play too roughly. This quickly leads to the play turning aggressive, with the cat biting or scratching and injuring the person.

Therefore, the rule is: If injuries occur repeatedly during play, or if the cat hisses or growls, the play should be stopped immediately.

Mistake No. 3: playing with hands

A common mistake in playing with cats is using hands. Even if the animals are very gentle or you don’t mind bloody fingers, the cat should learn: Human hands are not toys. Especially if visitors or children interact with the animal.

Mistake No. 4: not recognizing when play turns serious

First-time cat owners often make this mistake during play. They don’t notice the animal’s body signals indicating that the mood is shifting from play to seriousness. Signs include:

• Cat lashes its tail
• Cat hisses or growls
• Cat raises a paw defensively or strikes
• Ears are flattened against the head

If the cat shows any of these signs or starts scratching or biting, the play should be stopped immediately. Even if you’re unsure whether the cat is still enjoying the activity, it’s better to stop while the mood is still good. This way, the cat associates the time spent together positively.

Mistake No. 5: the wrong movement during play

When playing with a cat, it’s mainly about simulating prey, and unfortunately, many mistakes happen here. Many owners throw the mouse or ball to their cat, expecting it to catch it. Some cats–especially young ones–initially enjoy this. They often chase anything that moves.

Older cats, however, prefer “realistic” games. They want to not only chase but also stalk. This doesn’t work if the toy constantly moves toward them.

In nature, the mouse wouldn’t run directly to the cat. It moves away and tries to remain as unnoticed as possible. You can simulate this by moving the toy along the wall, making it disappear behind corners or under covers.

The greatest success with most cats comes from feather wands. With them, you can simulate prey on the ground and in the air. To do this, quickly flick the feather tuft or fabric mouse at the end of the wand just before the cat reaches it. Most animals have great fun leaping after the prey with acrobatic jumps.

Also interesting: Why does my cat constantly bring me toys even though it doesn’t want to play?

Mistake No. 6: too little playtime

While dogs appreciate longer play sessions, it’s best to engage your cat with short but frequent play sessions throughout the day. If you’re working and away from home for extended periods, you should play with your cat mainly in the morning and evening–during twilight hours–when the little hunters are most active and would naturally be hunting.

Overall, you should aim for 30 to 60 minutes of pure playtime per day. This depends significantly on whether the cat has outdoor access and other activities or if it lives solely indoors.

But beware: Just because a cat is an outdoor cat doesn’t mean you shouldn’t play with it, as even outdoor cats experience boredom and greatly benefit from interaction with their human.

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Mistake No. 7: not recognizing when the cat is enjoying the play

A common mistake we make when playing with our cat is thinking that if the cat doesn’t immediately attack, it has no interest in the game. However, for the cat, play begins with lurking–carefully observing the object. You can often tell by the animals crouching, with wide-open eyes and large pupils, staring at their “prey” from behind a corner or hiding spot. But not all cats show this so clearly. Some just look interested and listen. This is already play and fun for the cat!

Unfortunately, many owners prematurely end the play or think the cat isn’t interested. For the cat, especially older ones, this is the actual game. It often takes several minutes before the cat attempts an attack–but few owners have the patience for this. This leads to frustration on both sides over time.

You can tell the cat is genuinely no longer interested in the game when it walks away or starts grooming itself. Now you can safely end the play.

Mistake No. 8: the wrong timing

In nature, cats repeatedly go through the same cycle: wake up, hunt, eat, groom, sleep. However, the first thing many owners do when they get up in the morning or come home in the evening is feed the cat. It’s better to play with the cat first and then feed it. The advantage: The cat follows its natural rhythm and settles down much better after the play session. This is especially beneficial in the evening to prevent the animal from restlessly wandering around at night and constantly waking its humans.

But many cats insist on being fed as soon as their human is awake or comes home. In this case, it’s advisable to give a small portion first and initiate a play session a while later. Afterward, give the rest of the portion. The cat will likely groom itself thoroughly and then settle down. Therefore, it’s important to establish this ritual, especially before bedtime, to ensure the cat settles down at night.

Dr. Saskia Schneider is a Ph.D. biologist. During her studies at the Free University of Berlin, she focused on zoology and animal behavior. In addition to training as an editor, she completed training as a behavior consultant with a focus on cats at the Academy for Applied Animal Psychology and Animal Behavior Training in Switzerland.