Cat game. Why doesn't he want to play? Perhaps it's your fault.

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Does your cat just sit and stare at you when you throw her a ball? You may be concerned about this. Let's look at why your cat may be apathetic to play and what you can do about it.

All kittens play, but their high interest in play peaks around 4 to 5 months of age and then gradually declines.

Once cats reach adulthood, they tend to fall into two groups: those that continue to play and those that prefer to be less active.

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Inactive behavior may be normal, but you also need to rule out health problems that may be affecting your cat's behavior.

Why doesn't the cat play anymore?

Cats are very playful animals, so it's strange to see them stop playing. There are a number of reasons why a cat may stop playing, including:

1. Boring or old toys
2. Stress
3. Depression
4. Injury
5. Health problems

We will now look at each of these points and their solutions in detail. To make your cat feel happy and playful again as soon as possible!

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Boring or old toys

The first reason why your cat suddenly stopped playing is simply because she is not interested in her toys. They may have had these toys for a long time, or no one will play with them. However, this is a common cause and very easy to find.

Cats are quite easy to entertain due to their inquisitive and playful nature. Many people are fascinated by a simple cardboard box. So, if you notice that your cat isn't playing with her toys anymore, it might be time to buy her some new, cool toys that will pique her interest.

You can go to your local pet store for new toys, artificial mouse, ball, feathers, etc. Or make your own at home.

How to tame a wild kitten

First you need to determine how scared or aggressive the kitten is:

• The most difficult cases are considered to be when an animal hisses at a person or even tries to attack him - such feral cats probably did not receive affection from people for a long time or were born on the street;
• If a kitten meows and does not run away at the sight of a person, then it was probably recently kicked out into the street.

In the first case, you need to be more careful, since the kitten can respond to any wrong action with aggression and run away.

Try to pick up the kitten carefully, without grabbing its paws or tail. Carrying is also acceptable

The new resident should be allowed to get comfortable in the house on their own. This will help him feel more comfortable. Gradually, the kitten needs to be shown where the food and toilet are. Don't yell at the cat, and especially don't hit him. If the pet sees that it is not in danger, then, having satisfied its hunger, it will look for a place to sleep. After this, you can proceed directly to taming your pet.

You shouldn’t expect a wild cat to get used to the house in a couple of hours; give it a few days and don’t disturb it with unnerving procedures.

When the kitten remembers where his food is and stops hiding from you, try giving him a treat from your hand

If he accepts it, you can try to gently stroke his head and back. Next, there are two options for the development of events:

• if the kitten runs away from you, then you need to leave it alone, but repeat the steps of feeding it with treats three times a day or more often;
• If the kitten reacts normally to stroking, making it clear that it likes it, you should try placing it on your lap.

It is better to sit on the floor. This way you won’t have to lift your pet too high, and he won’t be frightened by a sudden change in position. If after this the kitten immediately wants to jump to the floor, do not stop it or hold it by force. It is better to repeat the steps after some time. This will let your animal know that he can feel comfortable with you.

Is it possible to tame an adult cat?

Adult animals can also be tamed and taught to accept affection, but this is more difficult to do. This is due to the fact that they have already formed their character and developed certain habits. In addition, wild animals may remember being hurt by other people.

Otherwise, the methods for taming adult animals are similar to those used for kittens. A calm atmosphere, delicious food, gentle touches and the absence of stressful situations will help turn a wild furry into an affectionate and grateful friend.

Before accustoming your cat to handling, feed him well. A sleepy animal that does not feel hungry will become more docile and will be more willing to be handled. But at the same time, you should not overdo it with food; do not feed your pet just to hold it on your lap.

It is believed that adult cats, unlike kittens, pay attention to the owner’s voice and intonation. Talk to your cat while you feed him, and continue to talk while you pet him, scratch behind the ears, etc.

p. After some time, the cat will develop an associative connection, and he will perceive your voice as a signal for something pleasant. Listening to him, the cat will sit in your arms without experiencing the same discomfort.

In extreme cases, you can purchase cat sprays with pheromones at pet stores, but you should not abuse them.

If your pet has a playful nature, then you can try to lure him onto your lap using his favorite mouse or bow. Let the cat jump on your legs and catch the “prey”, and then release the toy. This way, your pet will unconsciously get used to the fact that it is safe to be on your lap.

Be prepared for the fact that during such games the cat may scratch you; do not scold him for this so as not to scare him away.

Stress

There are many reasons why a cat may be stressed, from moving to a new place to loud noises or even the arrival of a new pet in the house. However, we need to know what to do when our cat is stressed. It is very important for them to feel comfortable and at ease in their own home. In this way we help them live a happy and healthy life.

The solution to this problem would be to first help them relax and not feel stressed. Then they will want to play again. Spending quality time with them and playing with them will also help them feel less stressed, accompanied and loved.

Dangerous symptoms

A kitten that sleeps a lot, does not like to play active games, eats poorly and eats little, may be seriously ill. Pay attention to your pet and the presence of other pathological symptoms. Signs of the disease :

• dry and hot nose;
• refuses to drink;
• temperature, body tremors;
• loose stools;
• vomit;
• pallor of mucous membranes;
• dull coat;
• impaired coordination;
• giving up your favorite treats;
• lack of reaction to people, loud sounds, lights;
• dilated pupils;
• rapid breathing.

Any of the listed symptoms is considered a deviation from the norm. To understand why your pet has stopped playing, eating and drinking, you need to consult a veterinarian.

If you know that the cause of poor health is poisoning, rinse the kitten’s stomach and give activated charcoal. After these steps, go to the veterinary clinic.

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Depression

Depression in cats is another possible reason why your cat suddenly stopped playing. Similar to stress, depression in cats can be caused by many things, such as a new pet in their home, punishment, loss of a primary caregiver, etc.

To deal with depression, you need to be patient and caring because they need you now more than ever. Communication, affection, company and play with them will help them feel less lonely and depressed.

Once your cat begins to recover from the stressful situation that caused her depression, she will become her usual curious, loving, and playful cat.

Injury

When adopting a cat from a shelter, sometimes these cats become scared, stressed, sad, or traumatized because their previous caregivers failed them. If you've adopted a young or adult cat from a shelter and are wondering why they aren't playing yet, this may be the reason.

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When dealing with traumatized cats, it is also very important to be patient, gentle and loving with them as we don't know what may be causing their trauma. Over time, they will learn to trust us and understand that they are now safe. During this period, we must be patient, give them our space, but also affection.

Trying to play with them is also important, but keep in mind that some cats with unhealthy upbringings may not be able to play. However, with time and patience, we can help them recover and live their best life.

How to understand that a male is ready for mating

If you don't know when your furry friend has reached puberty and is ready to mate, look at his behavior:

• If previously the animal constantly showed affection, but the pet’s behavior changed dramatically: the male became more aggressive.
• Puberty occurs exclusively after the first year of life.
• Using soft toys or the owner's slippers to satisfy sexual needs.
• The pet began to mark the territory (upholstered furniture, shoes of the animal owner, doors).
• The pet may purr constantly, then meow loudly.

These changes in behavior are typical during puberty of a furry friend. Using the above actions, your pet asks for an individual of the opposite sex.

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Health problems

Finally, your cat may have suddenly stopped playing due to health issues. Of course, it is best to take your cat to the vet for an examination, as this may be a clinical sign of an underlying disease or other health problem. Some of the most common reasons why a cat has stopped playing include:

• Obesity : Overweight cats may have difficulty moving around and playing. They may lie down and sleep more than usual because their physical activity causes physical pain. The best thing to do in this case is to talk to your veterinarian about the right diet for your cat and how to get her more active to help her lose weight and get healthy again.
• Arthritis : This, along with other age-related health problems, can limit a cat's ability to move. If you notice symptoms of arthritis in your cat, you will need to take them to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.
• Anemia : Cats may feel tired because their bodies are not getting the nutrients they need to function properly. You will also need professional help as a veterinarian will need to properly examine your cat and find the right treatment for its condition.
• Visual impairment : As cats age, they may begin to lose their vision. This may make them less playful.

If you think your cat has stopped playing because of a health problem, it is best to take her to the vet as soon as possible. Your veterinarian can even help you figure out how to help a cat who is stressed, depressed, or injured.

Article author: Jungle Luque I am an ethologist, specializing in dogs and cats. I am also a dog trainer and a psychology student. I was lucky to grow up surrounded by a wide variety of animals.