The mistake most cat parents make at playtime (and how to fix It)

Ever feel like your cat’s play sessions end with more zoomies instead of calm cuddles?

You’re not alone — and according to cat behaviorist Dr. Rachel Geller, there’s a good reason for it.

As Your Kitty Correspondent, I'm always searching for ways to help you and your cat live the best life together. Dr. Rachel's advice was so simple I almost couldn't believe it.

She joined us during my Play Your Way Back to Peace webinar in the SuPURR Society to share insights on what play really means for your cat.

“To us it’s play,” Dr. Rachel explained, “but to your cat, it’s a hunt.”

That’s right. What we call “playtime” is actually our cats’ built-in hunting practice.And most cat parents — even the devoted ones — stop too soon.

The Missing Step: Finishing the Hunt

Dr. Rachel says cats need to complete their full hunting sequence — hunt, catch, kill, and eat — for the experience to feel satisfying and peaceful.

“When you end play without the final capture and a bite of food,” she said,“your cat stays revved up instead of relaxed. The hunt never ends.”

That’s why your cat might stalk your ankles or swat the other cat after play. They’re not being “naughty.” They’re just trying to finish the story their instincts started.

The fix? After the toy’s final “kill,” offer a few treats or a spoon of wet food.That small step helps your cat complete the hunt–eat–sleep cycle — and helps you both wind down.

Tips from the Session

Dr. Rachel’s quick play pointers:

• Be the prey. Move wand toys away from your cat — not toward them. Prey runs, it doesn’t charge!

• Mix it up. Sometimes hide the toy or let it “play dead” before darting away again.

• Keep it short. 10–15 minutes of realistic movement beats an hour of frantic chasing.

• End with food. Always finish with a snack to seal the hunting sequence.

• Ditch the laser. That red dot can never be “caught,” and it can cause frustration.

“Pretend you’re a bug, a bird, a mouse,” Dr. Rachel laughed.“It’s therapy for both of you.”

What I Loved Most

As I told our group that night: “Peace can be playful. It’s not just sitting still — it’s allowing joy back in.”

Watching our cats hunt, pounce, and rest reminds us that peace doesn’t have to be quiet — sometimes it’s a happy purr after a good chase.

Learn More

Dr. Rachel Geller’s new book All Cats, All the Time is available now on Amazon — a true cat-parent manual for solving behavior challenges and creating harmony at home.

You can also find my book Raised by Cats: Behind the Meow and the Mic on Amazon for more stories of what our feline teachers reveal about life, love, and laughter.

Come Play With Us

These are the kinds of heart-and-science conversations we’re having inside The SuPURR Society — a space for cat parents who want calmer, happier homes (and more cuddles, less chaos).

Join the conversation, learn from experts like Dr. Rachel, and rediscover your own peace — one play session at a time.👉 SuPURRSociety.com

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KJ McGlinn — a.k.a. The Kitty Correspondent — brings heart, humor, and hope to the world of cat lovers everywhere. She’s the founder of PurrCon and The SuPURR Society, creator of The KJ Today Show and The Cat Conversation podcast, and the author of Raised by Cats: Behind the Meow and the Mic.

Whether she’s helping cat parents understand their feline family members or shining a spotlight on everyday heroes who make life better for pets, KJ’s mission is simple: to help people and cats live happier, more connected lives — together.

Find more of her work and upcoming events at kjotheair.com