Bug skitter for cats: how to play

Tiny, fast, jerky moves along the floor and up the wall, like a beetle or a fly. Perfect for cats who chase every moving speck.

You'll need

wand toy with a small end (a short tassel of fabric, small fuzzy ball or bug toy)
kibble or tiny treats

Play near a wall or the edge of a rug so the bug has places to run along and hide under.

Hold the toy still on the floor. Then make tiny quick flicks, a few centimetres at a time, with long pauses.
Run the bug along the base of the wall and let it hide under the rug edge.
Let it crawl a little way up the wall or a chair leg, then drop.
Let your cat trap it under a paw. Hold still while it peeks under its paw.
Every few catches, flick a single piece of kibble across the floor as the 'bug' so your cat gets to eat its catch.
Slow down, end with a final catch and a few pieces of kibble.

Make it easier: Use tossed kibble only. Roll one piece at a time across a smooth floor.
Make it harder: Make the bug change direction often and hide under the rug edge longer.

Fast paw swats, head tracking every flick, peeking under the paw, chirping.

Your cat starts chasing shadows or lights after play, stares fixedly at the floor, or gets swatty with you.

Count tossed kibble as part of the day's food.
Put the wand away after play.
Small toy ends can be swallowed. Use ends larger than your cat's mouth can gulp and supervise always.

Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.

Game · 8 min

A long ribbon-style wand toy slides and curls along the floor like a snake. Lots of stalking, sudden pounces and bunny kicks.

Game · 8 min

Your cat fishes a toy out from behind cover: over the edge of the bed, through a gap or out of a deep box. Lots of paw-scooping.

Game · 15 min

The guided version of a hunt: stalk, chase, pounce, catch, eat, groom, sleep. Use the timer to pace each phase and finish with a meal.