Tunnel sprint and agility for cats: how to play
Sprint and dart through a play tunnel chasing treats tossed inside.
- Time
- 5 min
- Energy
- High
- Space
- A room
You'll need
- cat play tunnel or taped paper bag tunnel
- healthy treats
Set up
Set up a cat play tunnel or paper bag tunnel. Place a small treat near one entrance to encourage your cat to investigate.
How to play
Introduce the tunnel gently. Place a treat at one mouth of the tunnel and let your cat investigate and step inside at their own pace.
Toss a treat into the tunnel to encourage your cat to enter and exit it.
Finish the sprint with a treat or a piece of kibble waiting at the tunnel exit so the chase ends with a satisfying reward.
House rules
- Never push or force a cat inside the tunnel.
- Always end with a food treat at the exit to complete the predatory cycle.
- Make it easier
- Shorten the tunnel or use a single open paper bag with the bottom cut out so both ends are in clear sight.
- Make it harder
- Move on to other obstacles, such as jumps or weaves, as your cat becomes more comfortable.
Signs it's having fun
Ears forward, tail swishing low, energetic sprinting through the tube, and eager pursuit of treats.
Stop if you see
Resume training later if you see your cat's attention is wandering.
Sources
Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.
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