The Perfect Playtime: Stimulating Your Cat’s Inner Hunter
“How to Use Play and Food Puzzles to Satisfy Your Cat’s Natural Instincts”
The domestication of cats is significantly different from that of dogs. Dogs, along with other animals like horses and sheep, were bred and trained to fulfil specific roles and work for humans. Cats, on the other hand, naturally fulfilled human needs without requiring training or selective breeding.
In ancient times, the storage of grain attracted rodents, which in turn attracted cats. Acting as natural pest controllers, cats were welcomed into human settlements. By hunting the rodents, cats protected the grain supplies from being ruined while keeping themselves well-fed. This mutually beneficial relationship was advantageous for both humans and cats.
What’s fascinating is that despite domestication, the instinctual need to hunt has never left cats. Thousands of years ago, we valued cats for their hunting abilities, and they remain hunters to this day. Behaviourally and biologically, today’s cats are remarkably similar to their ancient counterparts.
So, what does this mean for us as cat parents? It means that hunting is a fundamental part of our cats’ natural behaviour. Without opportunities to engage in hunting, cats can become bored, frustrated, and stressed, often leading to problematic behaviours such as play aggression and destructiveness.
Now, before you think I’m suggesting you release mice into your home, let me clarify! Instead, here are two easy and enjoyable ways to tap into your cat’s hunting instincts without involving live prey.
“Prey-Play” – This is an engaging and interactive way to play with your cat. My favourite method involves using a fishing-pole-style toy. A popular choice is “DaBird,” which features a feather attachment at the end. The key to effective prey-play is to mimic the movements of real prey. Avoid simply swishing the toy around your cat’s face—real prey would never approach a predator directly!
Instead, manipulate the pole so the attachment scurries across the floor and peeks around furniture. Watch your cat as they stalk, chase, pounce, and capture the “prey.” Once your cat has successfully caught their “prey,” conclude the play session with a meal or a high-value treat. For more detailed tips on prey-play, check out this handout by: “THE FULFILLED FELINE” with a step-by-step guide.
Food Puzzles – In the wild, cats would hunt and forage for their food, so incorporating challenging and engaging methods for feeding can be very rewarding for them. Food puzzles offer this opportunity by requiring cats to dig for their food, lick it off a mat, or push it through a maze. For more information on food puzzles and the various types available, check out foodpuzzlesforcats.com.
These are just two of the many engaging ways to stimulate your cat’s natural hunting instincts. Activities like these should be a regular part of your cat’s daily routine. I challenge you to incorporate a “prey-play” session at least once a day and try replacing the standard food bowl with a food puzzle for one of your cat’s meals. I’m confident your cat will appreciate it and love you even more for it!
Stephanie Merlin is a Certified Cat Behaviour Consultant and Educator, and the owner of The Fulfilled Feline in Orlando, Florida. The Fulfilled Feline focuses on educating people to better understand their cats, fostering more fulfilling connections between them. Since 2013, Stephanie has also volunteered with the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando.
The Fulfilled Feline offers in-home and virtual behaviour consultations, as well as online workshops and webinars on cat behaviour. To learn more, visit The Fulfilled Feline website and Instagram. You can reach Stephanie at