PAWS & PROVISIONS - SATURDAY OCTOBER 31ST - 11AM - 12PM - 102 VICTORIA ST, BRUNSWICK EAST
* ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR RESOURCES *

Play to Build Confidence

Cat wand toys are excellent and effective toys to help cats build confidence, reduce stress, and express their natural hunting instincts in a safe and positive way. Wand toys (such as feather or string toys on a stick) are especially useful because they allow you to interact with your cat while keeping a safe and comfortable distance. 

  1. Choose a wand toy that has something interesting to your cat on the end (feathers, mice toy)
  2. Start the session when your cat is calm and relaxed, not already overstimulated
  3. Begin by gently, and slowly moving the wand, pausing, then moving again. Think about how cats or mice move. Slow, freeze, run, dash away, zig zag, slow down again.
  4. Keep the toy low to the ground like an animal, and move it around, avoid waking your cat in the face or annoying them.
  5. Watch your cat - are their eyes dilated and big? They might be working up to a pounce and enjoying the anticipation! Do they like to pounce and chase, or stalk?
  6. Allow your cat to catch and bite and kill the toy. Celebrate them for the wild hunter they are!
  7. Keep the toy low to the ground and move it away from your cat, rather than towards their face
  8. End the play session by letting your cat catch the toy and “win,” 
  9. Finish by giving them a treat to end on
  10. Put the toy away after the session so it retains novelty and value for next time

Tips:

  • Keep play sessions short: 2-5 minutes is great depending on the cat!
  • Always practice [reading your cat’s body language - link]
  • Finish before your cat becomes frustrated, giving them something to lick or chew as a calming reward to end on.

Disclaimer:

Be mindful when you train and interact with your pet to avoid all aversive & balanced training techniques. When animals are hurt and scared, they may stop the behaviour but they won’t learn the right thing to do. 

Aversive training consists of: yelling/scaring pets, leash jerking, hitting, using choke collars, e-collars, prong collars or slip leads, using water such as spraying cats, 

Force-free training focuses on positive reinforcement which promotes trust, confidence and consistent behaviour with our causing harm or stress to our pets. This is the most up to date, science backed Humane method of training.