Wand play at the scratching post for cats: how to play
A short wand game played low, next to a tall scratching post. Your cat stalks, bats and catches the toy, and the post gives it somewhere to scratch and stretch.
- Time
- 2 min
- Energy
- Medium
- Space
- Small room
You'll need
- fishing rod toy with feathers or fabric
- tall scratching post or cat tree pillar
Set up
Set up the game beside a tall scratching post. Cats love to climb and a tiered scratching post is ideal, giving hiding places and a high shelf to watch from. Have your fishing rod toy ready in its cupboard and bring it out only when the game starts.
How to play
Bring out the fishing rod toy and move the end in rapid, unpredictable ways along the floor, just like a mouse or bird. Keep it low.
Steer the toy around the base of the scratching post so your cat can stalk, pounce and bat at it there. Do not lift the toy high enough to make your cat jump up.
Let your cat catch the fabric creature with its paws and bite at it now and then, so the game does not become frustrating.
Stop after a minute or two while your cat is still enjoying it, and put the toy straight back in its cupboard.
House rules
- Keep the toy low: never lift it so high that your cat is encouraged to jump up.
- Let your cat catch and bite the toy periodically.
- Keep sessions to a minute or two, several times a day.
- Tidy the toy away after every session.
- Never force your cat to play.
- Make it easier
- Swap in a different toy every few days to keep your cat interested, and keep each session to one or two minutes.
- Make it harder
- Make the movement faster and more unpredictable, and swap in a different toy every few days to keep it interesting.
Signs it's having fun
Stalking, pouncing, chasing and batting the toy with a paw, then coming back for another catch.
Stop if you see
Your cat stops chasing and loses interest, or seems frustrated. Tidy the toy away and try again later.
Safety
Safety- Check the toy for wear and replace it when needed.
- Tidy the toy away after play: your cat could get tangled in the string or tear off small pieces of fabric and swallow them.
- Never force your cat to play. If your cat walks away, the session is over.
Sources
Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.
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