Bored and doesn't play

[TemmieW]

Hi guys! I have a very big issue with my little lovely girl Temmie (almost 6 months old) and would much appreciate some help. She gets bored of toys extremely fast and just doesn't play with them anymore. I tried a bunch of toys — wands, strings, with bells, without bells, some balls, mice, feathers, everything. Temmie plays with new toys (that are kinda hit or miss) for like a day and then completely loses her interest. I know for sure that she loves playing but just doesn't?

The only thing that helps me is throwing her some foil balls and laser pointer right now, but she still gets bored before she gets tired. It bothers me a lot because she doesn't get the physical and mental stimulation she needs. She then starts either over-vocalizing or just straight up being aggressive towards me. When i try playing with her when she's like this — zero interest. Just walks away.
It becomes a problem really fast since I have to lock her in my room (it's big and has all the comfort she needs) so she wouldn't bite me all of a sudden when i just do my things. It especially breaks my heart to sleep without my baby because at night she won't let me sleep with her biting me all the time.

We plan on spaying her, but our veterinarian says that we should wait until she's at least 8 month old for some reason.

I think I should also mention that we took her in too early, she was like 6.5 weeks old, so she probably didn't socialize well as a kitten, but that's all. She's still very affectionate at times and really loves being pet when she's about to sleep.

I'm afraid she might be lonely and that i should re-home her to give her a happier life. It breaks my heart, since we absolutely cannot afford another kitten. I really hope that I can find some solution to this problem or that it's just some kind of edgy teenage phase like "mom these toys are so lame i don't want to play with them". Thanks to everyone in advance.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

I am quite surprised your vet says to wait that long. The aggression/behaviors you are seeing are probably hormonal. Once spayed it will take a while after being spayed to calm down a bit. I’d make an appointment ASAP to get her spayed. There are an abundance of other behavioral issues that can happen. You also don’t need her to go into heat as it will get really difficult for you and they cycle quickly making it miserable for them and you. Remember to tell your vet not to use Ketamine as the anesthesia. If you feel uncomfortable with your vet, get a new one. @TemmieW

Should I spay or neuter my sphynx cat?

Reasons for spaying/neutering Greatly reduces behavioral problems like spraying in both male and female cats. Cats that are altered live longer lives according to statistics. Neutered male cats live 40% longer lives than those not neutered. Female cats if not spayed and not bred can develop...

sphynxlair.com

As far as toys go, I recycle them and bring them back out and ours think new again lol. Again the hormones now are probably making her anxious and tied to her behaviors. Also know female cats can spray when not spayed…last thing you want is that behavior to start.

 

[TemmieW]

I am quite surprised your vet says to wait that long. The aggression/behaviors you are seeing are probably hormonal. Once spayed it will take a while after being spayed to calm down a bit. I’d make an appointment ASAP to get her spayed. There are an abundance of other behavioral issues that can happen. You also don’t need her to go into heat as it will get really difficult for you and they cycle quickly making it miserable for them and you. Remember to tell your vet not to use Ketamine as the anesthesia. If you feel uncomfortable with your vet, get a new one. @TemmieW

Should I spay or neuter my sphynx cat?

Reasons for spaying/neutering Greatly reduces behavioral problems like spraying in both male and female cats. Cats that are altered live longer lives according to statistics. Neutered male cats live 40% longer lives than those not neutered. Female cats if not spayed and not bred can develop...

sphynxlair.com

As far as toys go, I recycle them and bring them back out and ours think new again lol. Again the hormones now are probably making her anxious and tied to her behaviors. Also know female cats can spray when not spayed…last thing you want is that behavior to start.

Thank you very much for advice! I'll consider spaying asap. Hopefully we'll find the right vet. Btw I also noticed that she really has mild anxiety based on her body language, so hope it'll help

 

[Natalie Murphy]

I have a boy so I do not have the hormonal issues but with regards to toys and stimulation. Wow I feel your pain. Once he figures us how the toy works he looses interest but if it makes me work to interact with him he is game on. I started taking him out in a backpack to try to over stimulate him it worked so well he now is in the habit of demanding to go out.
We started slowly like a leash in the garden to walking among people then traffic. A year and a half later we go on bike rides for up to 20 odd km. The toys are still hit and miss but I personally think it is more human interaction games that work the more effort for me the happier he is. Right now play soccer has been number one for over a year and I bought a bunch of bouncing balls to kick and roll around the house. I do not lie we have over 70 balls floating around, many ore ping bong balls, at any given time of the day and night.
You will always find a heap in the middle of my house. I have a cat wheel and always give him a treat when he goes on it so as to encourage him to burn the energy. But 3am is not a treat time.
I personally hope your problem is more hormonal but it may be time to rethink about your life and engage her into your daily life.Mine goes visiting friends and we go to the beauty parlor together. He is so great I have got him pooping in a make shift litter tray that is a carrier bag with cat litter in it I put it down and he goes in it. My neighborhood has gotten so used to me walking around shopping with my cat on my shoulder.

 

[CathyO]

Some really good tips mentioned above already. Spaying and finding other ways to stimulate cat’s mental energy, not just physically. Try YouTubing Cat TV.

My only other add is that not having her mama cat correct her for longer when she was a wee kitten on biting too hard may be another reason why she could be nippy. My cats never play with the same toy two days in a row unless it’s Cat Dancer so I have a toy rotation.

 

[TemmieW]

Thank you all guys for your replies!
I wish I could go for a walk with my girl, but sadly summer right now is a cold poop. I wonder if i could put her in a carrier to walk around or just use backpack.

I also tried turning on cat tv for her, but she doesn't react either lol. Tapped on a screen one time and was like nah, boooring. That's my Temmie.

I'll consider going out with her. I always thought it's kinda cool walking around with a cat. Thanks again to y'al! I really appreciate it!!

 

[nudebea]

Looks like you have had some brilliant advice from other members . We had our girl Kiwi spayed well before 8 months, and other than being a little lazy, and also getting bored with toys quickly, which I think is her personality ( her brother is like a feline whirlwind), she is fine. Hopefully with spaying, and time things will improve for you.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Another great way to enrich their environment is a bird feeder. We have one that sticks to the window and the crew loves it as much as I do. I have a sunny seat in that window so they literally lay there and enjoy.

 

[TemmieW]

Another great way to enrich their environment is a bird feeder. We have one that sticks to the window and the crew loves it as much as I do. I have a sunny seat in that window so they literally lay there and enjoy.

OMG That's brilliant! I noticed she goes really crazy if she sees something in there. Sometimes there's a fly or two and she goes nuts trying to catch them. I even help her if it got too high for her to reach lmao.

 

[Natalie Murphy]

Thank you all guys for your replies!
I wish I could go for a walk with my girl, but sadly summer right now is a cold poop. I wonder if i could put her in a carrier to walk around or just use backpack.

I also tried turning on cat tv for her, but she doesn't react either lol. Tapped on a screen one time and was like nah, boooring. That's my Temmie.

I'll consider going out with her. I always thought it's kinda cool walking around with a cat. Thanks again to y'al! I really appreciate it!!

If it is cold put a hot water bottle in her backpack and dress her warm. It works wonders be careful it is not to hot My man lets me know if he is getting to warm and I whip it out

 

[tennisplayer]

My cats are crazy smart and I have bought almost every toy on Amazon. I now make my own or modify store bought ones. You could try to take a little mouse and tie string to the tail one end, on the other end tie an elastic string or bungie. Start dragging the mouse on the floor and once the chase is on place the elastic part on a door knob.

 

[tennisplayer]

Also, the best toy in my opinion is another cat buddy but this may not be for everyone.

 

[TemmieW]

If it is cold put a hot water bottle in her backpack and dress her warm. It works wonders be careful it is not to hot My man lets me know if he is getting to warm and I whip it out

I wonder if it's a regular backpack or the one designed specifically for cats:? If it's regular backpack, do you open/close it or escape proof by chance?

 

[TemmieW]

Also, the best toy in my opinion is another cat buddy but this may not be for everyone.

I 100% agree with that. If I had infinite budget I'd definitely got her a friendo, lol. Sadly, I'm not entirely ready to have another cat

 

[Natalie Murphy]

I wonder if it's a regular backpack or the one designed specifically for cats:? If it's regular backpack, do you open/close it or escape proof by chance?

I have two backpacks that are for cats The secret is to have many viewing points for them. My winter backpack is clear sides with breathing holes. It is much more solid and easier to warm up the inside. My summer one is mesh on all sides with roll down flaps if it is too sunny. He can stand up or lie down in it. I really like the summer one as it has a little leash inside so I can leave the lid open and he is attached to the backpack. I still use an extra body harness leash when we go out for double protection Just Incase. I put the backpacks on back to front as he is much calmer if he can see me and I can keep an eye on him too. Especially in the early days.

 

[TemmieW]

Hi again, guys! I decided to do a little update since it's already been 2 months and all

Temmie got fixed early in July, at 6 months and everything was great with it. She recovered quite fast.

I haven't played with her for month and she still doesn't show any interest in her toys, haha. However I leash trained her and started going out for a walk for at least half an hour a day and she seems to really like it! We actually had new problem of her sitting by the door and crying, but it got fixed by ignoring her completely and going out after she stopped.

Her attacking me also stopped. Now she bites only when she's really annoyed, but that's a rare thing.

We also recently bought Temmie a backpack. She really loves to sleep in it!
I mostly use it if she's tired of walking and becomes a meowing mess to carry her home.

So, all in all we're doing great! Thanks again for your help guys!

 

[Natalie Murphy]

Wow this is great news. Well done on the leash training I love taking mine out for walks. Bless him. He can he sits for hours at the door waiting for a walk. It’s so sad when it’s raining outside. His not a fan of wet ground but happy to catch a ride on my shoulders in the miserable weather. I am not a fan at all. At least he doesn’t cry at the door.

I just bought a portable litter tray that folds up so we can visits friends too. He was okay with a carrier bag and some litter in it or do his business.

I hope to see some pictures soon of your outings

 

[Yoda mom]

@TemmieW , thanks for keeping us updated! hugs n head smooches! look forward to more pics and tales

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Hi again, guys! I decided to do a little update since it's already been 2 months and all

Temmie got fixed early in July, at 6 months and everything was great with it. She recovered quite fast.

I haven't played with her for month and she still doesn't show any interest in her toys, haha. However I leash trained her and started going out for a walk for at least half an hour a day and she seems to really like it! We actually had new problem of her sitting by the door and crying, but it got fixed by ignoring her completely and going out after she stopped.

Her attacking me also stopped. Now she bites only when she's really annoyed, but that's a rare thing.

We also recently bought Temmie a backpack. She really loves to sleep in it!
I mostly use it if she's tired of walking and becomes a meowing mess to carry her home.

So, all in all we're doing great! Thanks again for your help guys!

Great update! So happy all is going well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[TemmieW]

Ok, another update. The temperature dropped like crazy rn and i think i can't go out with Temmie anymore. Aaaaaaaand.... she started biting out of boredom again
I'm so lost right now And she's crying in the hall again
I feel like trying to buy DaBird equivalent or something like that, but my mom is just like "it's just a cat, she isn't a kitten anymore, she doesn't need to play, just lock her in your room and be done with it" and i don't really think it's the right solution. I want to engage with my girl, not abandon her

I'll try to be as detailed as possible to describe how she plays i guess.

So if i present her an old toy (something like DaBird but not exactly it) that she used to play with intensely for a few session, she will look at it for a few seconds and that's it.

Sometimes when i try to engage with her with old toys, she starts trilling a lot, which sounds like she enjoys it, but in reality it's her "i'm bored" trill.

I just played with her with the broken leash and she kinda pounced on it, losing interest really fast, like, i had to wave it intensely to even get her to look at it. Once in a while she would lounge at it aggressively, then drop it and go away. I noticed that she likes when things go up the bed.
It makes me feel like Temmie doesn't know how to play??? It takes her tremendous time to finally pounce at anything. It's so hard. She sometimes just stops playing, walks up to a toy and goes away, and that's it?

Am i playing wrong with her? Am i not good enough at it? Or is it her that's too lazy to catch it? I have absolutely no idea. I know for a fact that she CAN play intensely, and she DID play like that a few times. I'm absolutely lost. Also the fact the she's a really distant cat, that likes to be pet rarely and only on her terms kinda breaks my heart. I love my baby a lot but sometimes she's really frustrating. She calmed down right now and chills in her hammock, hehe

Soooo, any other ideas?

 

[Yoda mom]

@TemmieW , hugs.. we are here for you... agree staying in with the temperature drop. we can help you with some ideas.


mine play sporadically too with certain toys. I try to do more shorter sessions of play time throughout the day. a good ole cardboard box with a ping pong ball , or a ping pong ball in the bathtub is a fav here. mine definitely have a short attention span for playing unlike my dogs.

my Batman 11 yrs old has never really been big into play time or toys. rarely plays with toys and I have tried a zillion. goes a few seconds and then off to chirp and cuddle instead.

a warm blanket from the dryer on your lap is a fav in group.

I trained mine to "sleepytime" at bedtime.
I got a fleece throw blanket on my bed. gave command " sleepy time"
praise treat on blanket and tucked them in next to me. now they come running at bedtime to be tucked in . no treats needed.

Claire Bare loves playing on my bed. we play catch. (***1 ribbed hairband,, always always only used supervised and put away immediately in a lidded jar as to prevent choking hazard /obstruction.) catch and hide it in the sheets a favorite.

Toby is a rough player really goes after pole toys like dabird. huffs and puffs. does it in spurts so do it a few times a day. he will walk off too when he gets over stimulated .



I dont think you are doing anything wrong. each kitty has their own personality.

what a precious photo in her hammock! you are a good mum! hugs n head smooches

 

[Yoda mom]

@Sheldon13 , @Catzzzmeow tips? ideas?

 

[Yoda mom]

@TemmieW , wanted to ask if she is spayed??? you mentioned her crying in the hall so wondering if a heat cycle? when my boys hormones kicked in he would do some biting. I got him neutered and it helped tremendously

 

[TemmieW]

@TemmieW , wanted to ask if she is spayed??? you mentioned her crying in the hall so wondering if a heat cycle? when my boys hormones kicked in he would do some biting. I got him neutered and it helped tremendously

Thank you for all the tips and reassurance! I definitely need some, haha. Yes, she's been spayed 2 months ago, so there's no way she bites because of hormones, i guess. The vet did mention that Temmie had a cyst, but it was dealt with during operation or something like that. I wouldn't say that crying is really long, she usually calms down after a minute or two. I think she just got plenty of stimulation during walks and was calm because of that.

I'll try the ping pong ball in the bathroom and hair band. I also made her a foil ball, she wasn't interested at first but after a couple of hours started playing with it like crazy and even brought it for me to throw, which was really cute.

(I'll also throw in a bunch of my photos with her because i realized that i didn't really introduce her and went straight with the problem haha, she is my gorgeous precious baby)

 

[Yoda mom]

@TemmieW , awh thanks for sharing adorable Pics of Temmie! gorgeous baby girl. my Batman is vocal, likes to talk.. my other two are not as vocal. kittens do go thru biting phase. I give a stern "ah" and redirect to a kicker toy I have used a long catnip toy . TOby would bite the end of it and kick it like crazy. he especially likes the banana shaped catnip toy to bite and kick.

if you try catch /fetch with the hairband, promise to put it away so she cannot get when not in use. that is why I only use one. so none getting lost and accidently chewed swallowed. sharing too , some plants are toxic to cats. be sure to kitty proof plants just in case she munches on them.

Temmie is a sweetie! I can see you love her soo much. she reminds me of my Batman . love those eyes , nose and color!

members will surely chime in with more tips!

please keep us updated often, all paws are family. hugs n head smooches.