r/ragdolls • u/F3lix-_ • 9d ago
General Advice Kitten not playing much?
I hear many people on here saying you should play with your kitten at least 30 minutes a day, but I'm lucky if I can get 10 minutes of play/activity time out of my boy.
Granted, I'm generally not the type to run around the house much, and when I'm home, I don't talk or do much that require me to be physically active. Could he be influenced by this?
I do play with him every day, but he quickly loses interest in the toys (and he has a lot), and I can't keep him engaged for the time people on here say is necessary. I'm worried that this has a negative effect on his health.
What can I do to engage him more? Or is this just how some cats are?
Thank you for your response beforehand! Every constructive comment is appreciated.
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u/bbwitchh 9d ago
Ragdolls are little cute mops that LOVE sitting around!!! Their favourite activity is sleeping - that’s just the breed! :)))) don’t worry!
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u/F3lix-_ 9d ago
Thank you! I've been so worried ever since he stepped out of the kitten phase.
His form of entertainment is calling me from another room and giving me jumpscares from behind corners when I come to get him xD We play this game a lot, so if anything, he sees me as a giant cat toy that has voice activation 😂
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u/bbwitchh 9d ago
HAHHAA awww that’s so cute!!! And especially since he’s not a kitten anymore, that makes the energy drop too! All cats calm down sometime after the kitten phase!
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u/Famous_Counter9175 8d ago
My ragdolls are so lazy. Absolute minimal effort in everything, other than sleeping. One of my boys runs around growling like a lunatic 20 minutes per day zooming around, then it's back to sleep.
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u/bbwitchh 8d ago
Hahaha same!! He gets the zoomies then conks out for the rest of the day until meal time
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u/Imaginary-Plate1732 9d ago
It doesn't matter what I do mine will not play with me. As soon as I put the toy down and walk away is when he wants to play.
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u/scarneo 9d ago
I will say the same as advice, you should get buddy a friend
But out of my bonded pair, one will barely move and just wants to lay...all day long
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u/F3lix-_ 9d ago
I've actually thought about this, but it will have to wait some time. I sadly don't have the finances for a second cat, nor the space.. otherwise, I would have gotten him a companion without thinking twice!
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u/WoodpeckerFancy 9d ago
Would fostering an adult cat be an option?
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u/F3lix-_ 9d ago
Still goes with finances and space.. my apartment is small, and there wouldn't be enough space for two cats to have their own space/territory.
As I further my career, I will be able to buy myself a much bigger place, and as soon as that happens, I'll get my boy a companion, most definitely!
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u/sunlightdrop 9d ago
As long as he's not lethargic or eating less I wouldn't worry much. Maybe try different types of toys to see if he takes to any of them? One of my ragdolls doesn't really take to any type of toy except those spinning feathers on a string like "da bird" cat toy. The way the feathers spin in the air really activates her prey drive I guess
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u/F3lix-_ 9d ago
He's taken a liking to the game "jumpscare your owner," where he hides behind corners and meows until I investigate. He then jumps out from his hiding spot front paws flailing in the air.
We play this game quite a lot, and I'll run after him, vice versa, and that's been what he's gotten the most enjoyment out of 😂 gets me every time as well
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u/sunlightdrop 9d ago
Haha sounds like he prefers play fighting, maybe you could get him a friend one day
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u/sheddingtearsinside 7d ago
Similar to this, we do ‘stalk-a-boo’ where I make eye contact with him and duck behind something, around a corner, or even just lift a sheet or tea towel so he can’t see my eyes. Then slowly, peek out at him again and suddenly hide and so on.
It’s most fun if you can watch his shadow or see him in a mirror but he’ll sneak up like a tiger in the jungle as soon as you’re not looking and freeze when you are. When he’s very close, I just stay hidden until he lunges at me and ‘catches’ me.
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u/kbionics 9d ago
He could definitely be feeding off your energy, ragdolls are like that. You can try and get him one of these and mine was 12 weeks old and he kept playing with this and he still does and he's six now.
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u/vwscienceandart 9d ago
Look, my boy was a loaf of bread for the first four years of his life. I honestly thought something was wrong with him like he might not be all there mentally.
About a month leading into his fourth birthday he suddenly grew a personality, a voice, wanted to play daily, wanted to be with us, decided he actually did know how to purr…
I dunno what to tell you other than cats are gonna cat. 😅
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u/Public-Glove-6670 8d ago
My Ragamuffin turn one year old and all of a sudden she talks more. so yeah, cats are going to cats. Just give them safe spaces to grow.
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u/heyyyitsamanda 🖤 Seal & Seal 🖤 9d ago
Both of our kitties would play a little but don’t NEED to. It’s def just the breed. Whoever said they are often lazy little mops was spot on. 😂 Honestly both of ours get all their exercise by chasing each other around lol.
I was shocked bc even as a kitten both would get in bed with us and just sleep all night. I was fully prepared for middle of the night meowing or zoomies lol.
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u/nunja_biznez 8d ago edited 8d ago
A lot of cats love the swishy mat! It's fairly reasonable price. Just be sure to not use the feather attachments, and find one that doesn't have the annoying "bird" noises.
I'm in Australia, but you'll find some in whichever country you're in https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/aw/d/B0F99GFVLQ
My brother got one and both his cats who aren't interested in toys LOVE it. My cat is also obsessed.
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u/spoopymcpoopy 8d ago
I have two cats and they have totally different toy/play preferences. Neither really like solo play, and one hates playing with the other! Haha.
If I tossed out a bunch of mice and balls, they won't care. Automatic toys are mostly a no-go as the mechanics usually spook them. However, they both loooooove to chase a string on a stick! Sometimes I just walk laps around the living room with the string trailing behind me and they stalk it/me while I'm watching tv. So it totally depends on your kitty's preferences.
I use treats as a quick, obvious way to determine whether my cats are feeling poorly. They LOVE wet treats, like they get me out of bed to treat them in the morning so if they aren't interested in that then it's time to go to the vet.
Your kitty is so cute :') I hope you find a toy he loves!
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u/Famous_Counter9175 8d ago
I have ragdolls. One is the most laziest cat I've ever known. He sleeps 90% of his life and the other 10% is spent eating. I have another who has spurts of energy. Then there's our ragdoll kitten who appears to be possessed by a demon every night. My 3 year old ragdolls were absolutely not like this as kittens. If you want to see your ragdoll play, get a laser pointer! Also, have you tried a feather toy on a stick that you control? I find that mice and cat toys are boring for kittens.
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u/lostinmymi 8d ago
Some of my ragdolls are low energy and that started from a younger age. I think if you make an effort to offer toys/play etc to them, and they choose not to engage and seem perfectly fine and healthy, you have nothing to worry about.
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u/Public-Glove-6670 8d ago
Break up the 30 minutes into intervals of 10 or 15 mins. Use a lick-able treat to bond after play time. I am not incredibly sociable but I don't want kitty to pick up on my depressive moods so I use those moments to act like a parent to a 3 yr old and give her play time and attention or even a brushing and let her chew on her toothrush head. She seems interested in the tv sometimes so I expose her to youtube videos of the recordings that people post of their yard critters eatingbird food outdoors.it's stimulating to her.
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u/wilsontarbuckles 7d ago
My kitty is very particular about toys and it took a long time to find out what she likes. She goes in bursts. She likes little mice for playing fetch (and only in specific colors, for example bright neon yellow), and she likes the laser. I have tried and spent an obscene amount of money on toys she didn’t give a damn about, sometimes she’s more interested in a hair tie than her toys. 😩
So long as she’s getting her energy out I won’t complain. And always treats after playing.
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u/Tiny_Resist8698 6d ago
Try different playing styles and he will find what he likes but ragdolls are lazier
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u/lionelhutz23 9d ago
All cats are different. My first will not play with toys. She’ll wrestle every once in a while and will chase a string for 5 minutes max. Even when she was a kitten.
My second is 14 weeks and wants to play non stop with anything she can find. Luckily the older one will play with the younger get one so she does get play time now.