Find your cat's prey for cats: how to play
A short test game that switches between bird, mouse and bug toys to learn which prey your cat loves most. Sets the play style on its profile.
- Time
- 10 min
- Energy
- Medium
- Space
- Small room
You'll need
- feather wand (bird)
- furry mouse wand or ball (mouse)
- small tassel or kibble (bug)
Set up
Keep all three toys out of sight behind you. Play in a quiet room when your cat is awake and interested.
How to play
Bird round: fly and land the feather wand for about 20 seconds. Note how your cat reacts: ignores, watches, chases, catches.
Hide the bird. Mouse round: drag the furry toy along the floor for 20 seconds. Note the reaction.
Hide the mouse. Bug round: tiny flicks of a small toy or a tossed piece of kibble for 20 seconds.
Repeat the three rounds two more times, changing the order.
Score each round 0 (ignored) to 3 (full chase and catch). The highest total is your cat's favourite prey.
End with a full catch of the winning toy and a treat.
House rules
- Same length for each round.
- Only one toy visible at a time.
- Run the test on two different days before deciding.
- Make it easier
- Just two rounds: bird and mouse.
- Make it harder
- Add an ambush round: toy hidden behind cover the whole time, peeking out.
Signs it's having fun
A clear favourite: faster reaction, more catches, chattering for one toy type.
Stop if you see
Your cat walks away or gets overexcited. Finish another day.
Safety
Safety- Put all wand toys away after the test.
Sources
Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.
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