July 7, 2025, 12:10 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
“My Cat Won’t Play–I’ve Tried Everything!” Does this sound familiar? Instead of leaping after the feather toy, the cat just sits and watches. Many owners interpret this as disinterest. PETBOOK editor and cat behavior expert Saskia Schneider reveals the reasons behind this behavior and how to get your cat back in the mood to play.
Not all cats are the same–this also applies to playing. Some animals like things that rustle or make noise, while others find this scary. The size of the toy is also crucial. Many manufacturers base their designs on the size of prey animals like mice or birds. In my experience, cats also find small things very interesting. You just have to be careful that the animal doesn’t swallow them.
The Wrong Toy
The wrong toy is one of the most common mistakes that prevent a cat from playing properly. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Everyone must try out what their cat likes. And before you rush out to buy a bunch of toys from the pet store: Often, the simplest things you already have at home are enough. Things like paper balls, small plush toys, or even old towels or empty boxes can make play more interesting if you hide the toy under or inside them.
No Variety
While some animals have an absolute favorite toy, others appreciate variety. For cats, it’s not just a different texture but also a new smell that’s important. That’s why it often happens that a new toy is “the hit” at first but becomes completely uninteresting after a short time. But just because the cat no longer plays with it doesn’t mean it has lost interest altogether.
Usually, it’s enough to store the toy for a while and replace it with a new one. However, some cats get bored quickly. To avoid accumulating a lot of stuff at home, you can either get creative and make toys yourself or occasionally bring things from outside for the cat. These can be grain stalks, small sticks, a chestnut, or even leaves. Many cats find the new object so exciting that they want to catch it and chase after it eagerly.
No Interaction During Play
Play mice or balls are among the most popular toys for cats. They are especially fun when people throw them around playfully. Too often, however, cats are left alone with them. While animals can entertain themselves well, the purpose of play is joint interaction. Only when we humans move the toy as if it were prey does it become truly exciting and varied for the cat. This not only provides exercise but also strengthens the bond.
Pain During Play
If it seems like the cat isn’t playing, something serious might be behind it. If the animals are in pain, movement is difficult for them. Especially if the cat suddenly stops playing, you should observe your pet closely. Unfortunately, many ailments in cats go unnoticed and often only show up as reduced activity.
Our cat Kim, for example, initially only watched during play but didn’t move. As inexperienced cat owners, we thought she was just a bit lazy. It later turned out that Kim had arthritis in her lower back since she was young. Thanks to pain therapy, her playfulness returned.
Other Cats
Play simulates hunting for cats, and they usually do this alone. Therefore, the presence of another cat can prevent a cat from playing. It is then practically inhibited. Often, there is also a cat that reacts faster and constantly interrupts the other. Therefore, in a multi-cat household, it’s important to play with each animal individually.
Fear and Stress
Not only pain but also fear and stress can cause cats to stop playing. This can happen during changes, such as a vacation. The familiar people are suddenly gone, and someone else–like a cat sitter–is in the room. Many animals don’t want to play at first.
Similar situations occur when a cat moves into a new home, especially if it’s an older animal from a shelter. However, this usually subsides once the cat gains trust in the people and environment. Often, playing together is what “breaks the ice.” The movement also reduces stress and boosts the cat’s confidence.
Too Little Patience
“The cat is just watching, not playing”–and the toy is dropped again. Poor cat! Because it was actually in the middle of playing. We humans often don’t notice this because we assume the animals are only really playing when they run around wildly.
But before catching prey, there’s observing, lurking, and stalking. Our cats want to experience this in play as well. Especially older animals don’t chase after everything that moves without hesitation. They are more experienced hunters and want to show that in play. Therefore, many observe the toy for a while before striking. They would do the same during “real” hunting.
However, we humans are often too impatient and end the game prematurely. But as long as the cat is still focused on the object, it is indeed playing. Only when the animals turn away, walk away, or lie down and groom themselves contentedly is the play session over for them. This can happen after a short time, but it doesn’t mean the cat doesn’t need to play for the rest of the day.
Therefore, it’s important to offer play throughout the day and incorporate it into various situations. You can find more tips in this PETBOOK article: 7 Appropriate Games to Entertain Cats.
6 Reasons Why Cats Get Annoying at Night – and What Can Be Done to Help
6 Reasons Why Cats Love to Play with Wrapping Paper
Cat Attacks Out of Nowhere? Here’s What’s Behind It
The Wrong Environment
A mistake that is often overlooked is the environment. If the cat doesn’t play, it could be due to the wrong location. Some animals prefer a quiet place, free from children or other cats, while others want to play in the middle of the action. And then there are cats that like to play in very specific places, like the bathroom, because perhaps the paper ball slides around amusingly. Therefore, observe your cat closely and try to offer play in several locations.
About the Author
Dr. Saskia Schneider is a biologist with a Ph.D. During her studies at the Free University of Berlin, she focused primarily on zoology and animal behavior. In addition to training as an editor, she completed training as a behavior consultant with a focus on cats.