(Part 1: 🦀) How can I get my cat to play on his own? I love playing with him, but sometimes I have to sleep and study! If I don't play with him, he starts tearing apart my papers, chewing my wires, digging in the garbage, etc. He's ~1 year old and I have a 2nd cat also. The house is FULL of toys - from scratching posts/cardboards, window ledges, jingle balls, crinkle balls, springs, string toys, tunnels, boxes, hideys/beds. I even have automatic toys: a laser toy, puzzle toy, puzzle feeders...
So unfortunately Tumblr ate the second part of this post :( I’ll try to answer it the best I can with what I have, though.
It’s possible he may have TOO many toys out at once. Take 2/3 of them and put them away, in a closet, or somewhere that he can’t get to them. If you can, use this time to introduce some new toys, because he might very well be bored of his current options. Give him a week or two and then switch out, putting his current toys away and giving him some “new” ones to play with. But you’re good with anything you’d classify as “furniture” or permanent staples like posts or trees.
He’s a young cat, so he’s going to have extra energy. If you can, try taking him outside on a leash, or if you’re unable to leash train him, consider getting him a carrier or a backpack designed to house a cat and take him for daily walks. Even just standing outside with him will let him “explore” new territory, and will keep him from getting bored while he’s inside.
In the meantime, cat proof. Cat proof, cat proof, cat proof. Get a garbage can with a lid. Find safe places to store your papers. Cable manage your wires so nothing is left hanging and it sits flush to the wall or another surface. If the cat has access to these things, they will use them. The MOST success I’ve had with curious cats wasn’t necessarily changing my routine with them, but changing the way I’ve stored things, or kept things. I have child locks on my cupboards but I don’t have children. Not only will it help keep you sane, he’ll lose interest if there’s nothing there to play with, but it’s also just a good practice to have for the sake of the cat. If he likes to get into things that are on the counter, it’s good to get in the habit of keeping, say, dangerous things off of the counter.
