Cat not interested in toys at all

[NabilBen]

Hello Guys
Is it ok if a cat is not interested in any type of toys? I literally bought him whatever you can imagine from cat tress to tunnels to wide range of toys....He only played as a kitten. Now, I changed everything yet he isn't interested at all. He likes to play with one toy and that's it and maybe some paper. He doesn't even uses the scratching posts. He is into furniture and i don't really mind as long as he's happy and comfortable. I don't mind at all

 

[ArtNJ]

Yes, its fine if cats don't like toys. It might make them bug their humans more, and/or be more destructive around the house (but not related to the scratching). Its a pretty common thing not wanting to play much, and not always a problem. Tends to be a problem when its a young cat with tons of energy, less of an issue with an older cat. That said, maybe there is a type of toy you haven't tried if you want to list everything.

Might as well try and train away the scratching even if its not particularly bugging you. Even if your stuff is not nice, or your wealthy, it doesn't really matter, its a hassle and annoyance when stuff gets destroyed. Also, a lot of times when stuff gets totally destroyed they can pull bits and pieces off that might even be dangerous if they eat them. So its great to not get stressed by it, but don't just roll with it either. Try some different types of scratchers and put catnip on them. Then you can do some gentle negative reinforcement when the cat scratches elsewhere, like a loud "no!"

 

[Kflowers]

It takes our Sweet Gum several months to decide to touch a new toy, much less play with it. She likes balls made from soft foil you find in packaging, like cigarette packages and frosting can security seals. She doesn't like the harder foil you can buy on the roll. They can be very picky and their interest change with age. some are playful until two, then not at all for a couple of years, then playful again.

My suggestion is don't throw out her toys. Put them in a low sided box - maybe 2-3 inches high - put it somewhere out of the way - HIS private toy box corner - and let it sit. Yes, it'll get dusty, so you can wash the toys once a year. Do not use soap, you don't need it for dust and some cats don't care for the scent.

 

[Kieka]

Not a problem.

Some cats just don't have a huge play drive. We used to joke that my Moms cat never learned how to play because he never played with any toys. He'd fetch hair elastics (supervised play only) but that was the extent of his play. He didn't even seem to understand what play was with the other cats. He's now 8 years old and within the last year he seems to randomly decided to play with things or with our other cats. But it's is seemingly without rhyme or reason. Cats?

 

[NabilBen]

Thank you guys. Well he likes to play on his own or with us but once he sees toys, he loses interest.
As for thr toys, I packed them and divided them to animal rescue shelters. I wanted to do good and maybe shelter cats will use them better.

 

[zoes]

Have you tried interactive toys like a wand? My cats also have little interest in "floor toys" (e.g., balls, mice) and most cats I've known are this way as adults. They might play for a moment but lose interest quickly - no fun to play with prey that doesn't move, I guess! Even toys with automated movements, they lose interest with after a while. Wand toys are the only toys that they can play with until they get tired - I suppose because I'm controlling it, I can make it move more like "prey" and respond to how they're interacting with it.

 

[Kflowers]

You did good for the shelter kitties who don't have the choices your cat does. From personal observation, cats who have dogs do quite well without cat toys. Dogs seem to think cat toys are snacks. You see the sitch. Not having what appears to be toys to us, shouldn't bother your cat. In time, I expect you'll be surprised at what he decides is a toy.

 

[maggie101]

For scratch posts, some cats do not like sisal. Since cats like to stretch and trim their claws,slanted is best. Their are feather wand toys like da bird or ground wand toys like purrfect leather bouncer or go cat catcher. That is all one of my cats play with, Peaches likes chasing things and landing in shipping trash. Coco likes everythiing. She only jumps up and down so mostly ground wand toys

 

[Kieka]

I thought Link hated scratching posts, then I got an inclined cardboard one (like this, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZPGG727/?tag=thecatsite). I now am replacing it every 3 months or so when he has shredded it to pieces.

 

[maggie101]

For scratch posts, some cats do not like sisal. Since cats like to stretch and trim their claws,slanted is best. Their are feather wand toys like da bird or ground wand toys like purrfect leather bouncer or go cat catcher. That is all one of my cats play with, Peaches likes chasing things and landing in shipping trash. Coco likes everythiing. She only jumps up and down so mostly ground wand toys

Also pop up cubes since she is older,she would like to hide and pounce

 

[maggie101]

I thought Link hated scratching posts, then I got an inclined cardboard one (like this, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZPGG727/?tag=thecatsite). I now am replacing it every 3 months or so when he has shredded it to pieces.

I have had this lounger for 3+ years
$70 made out of corrugated cardbord

 

[NabilBen]

Would you believe if I say that my cat doesn't even like boxes. I tried many and many but in vain. Still not interested.. sometimes I think he is human.. I was thinking of buying the cat wheel but then I hesitated. Am scared he won't use it and since it'll be brought from abroad. It'll cost me 500dollars. I was maybe thinking of these toys. Do u think he'll like them. Links are below. Thanks

Jouets pour chats - Animalerie Animal Shop Maroc

animalshop.ma

Jouets pour chats - Animalerie Animal Shop Maroc

animalshop.ma

Jouets pour chats - Animalerie Animal Shop Maroc

animalshop.ma

 

[Kflowers]

My cats loved to scratch on carpet, not the carpet on the floors, but a separate cut of carpet ( 7 inches by 6 feet) tied to a banister. You have to decide whether or not you can watch them climbing on the banister.

 

[KellyShelly]

Hello NabilBen,

I was curious if you ever found a toy that your cat likes? I adopted an approximately 2 y.o. cat recently who is so chill that my friend in training to be a vet tech thinks she is lethargic. I'm not so sure as she has no other symptoms (ie not eating, drinking or other signs). She has a robust appetite, interacts with us and enjoys to sit atop her cat tree observing everything until a she can find a warm lap to curl up in. She just has no interest in toys - as you put it - at all. And yes, we've tried the interactive types, she just doesn't care. She chased and caught a house fly so she definitely has energy and instinct when she wants, apparently.

 

[Margot Lane]

It could be that some cats get jaded and see right through these toys. Mine has little interest in any of them either, but, bring in a cricket, let him hear a moth or a mouse, and whammo! Not suggesting you fill your home w/ mice, but…as Game Misconduct has mentioned, he occasionally lets a cricket drop when feeding his tarantulas for his cat. Some people have managed to insert cat booths into windows so they can experience the outdoors w/out going outside.

 

[FeebysOwner]

KellyShelly - some cats just don't 'get it' when it comes to 'toys'. Feeby (18+yo), who found me at around 2ishyo, has never seen the need to go crazy about toys. The best thing for her was a shoestring, that if she played with it, it was on her back batting at it! That same shoestring - as old as it is - is still the only thing to elicit any kind of play, albeit very brief.

And, yet in her younger days she would catch live lizards on our patio and even bring them into the house to (sadly) bring them to their demise. She never liked lasers as she figured out quickly that there was no end to that. She had some favorite toys, but not so much for play but to carry them around for whatever reason.

If your cat is anything like mine, she is doing what she wants to do. And that is all you can ask for.

 

[iPappy]

Thank you guys. Well he likes to play on his own or with us but once he sees toys, he loses interest.
As for thr toys, I packed them and divided them to animal rescue shelters. I wanted to do good and maybe shelter cats will use them better.

That's awesome!

 

[treeclimber]

I think some of the interest in toys depends on how much real hunting experience a cat has had.

I knew a retired barn cat who was people-friendly enough to be coaxed inside for his senior years, and he was a serious hunter. Rarely played with his food, just “cat jumps, mouse dead”. Once he came indoors, if I tried to get him to play with toys he’d just give me a look that said “Please do not annoy me with your catnip-scented lump of inedible cloth.”

He’d play with other cats and could occasionally be tempted with a string, but had zero interest in any kind of fake prey.

 

[KellyShelly]

Thanks for the replies all. Treeclimber, aha, this makes sense. As I understand, Shelly (our rescue) was born in an outdoor litter and lived some time outside in her early days. I did note in her hunting flies that she is good and motivated by that.

 

[Cat McCannon]

Would you believe if I say that my cat doesn't even like boxes. I tried many and many but in vain. Still not interested.. sometimes I think he is human.. I was thinking of buying the cat wheel but then I hesitated. Am scared he won't use it and since it'll be brought from abroad. It'll cost me 500dollars. I was maybe thinking of these toys. Do u think he'll like them...

Try something like this-

and soak the toy in your scent. Belle loves feather toys I've soaked in my scent.

If your cat watches the toy as you flit it about, with dilated eyes and ears forward, they are engaged. It's stimulation and good for your cat, even if they never move.