Your Cat Isn’t Naughty—They’re Just Bored

How Interactive Play Can Eliminate Unwanted Behaviors & Strengthen Your Bond—Insights from Dr. Rachel Geller!

Photo by Piotr Musioł on Unsplash

Have you ever wondered why your cat randomly pounces on your ankles, pushes things off shelves, or scratches where they shouldn’t?

(as Niko pushes a Tupperware lid off the shelf…again). 🤦

The truth is—it’s not bad behavior. It’s instinct.

Cats are natural-born hunters, and when they don’t get the right stimulation, they’ll find their own ways to “hunt” (which sometimes means hunting…you 😻).

Dr. Rachel Geller - a cat behaviorist and expert in feline play therapy - was a guest for my Feline Wellness Summit, and she shared why interactive play is the key to unlocking your cat’s inner hunter—and eliminating unwanted behaviors at the same time.

After I interviewed her I immediately changed the way I play with Niko and Milo.

In today’s newsletter, I share a summary of my biggest takeaways of how we should be playing with our cats using the prey, or hunting sequence.

I’ll also share how I’ve started using her techniques with Niko and Milo (and what I’ve been doing wrong this whole time!).

If you want to listen to the audio of my discussion with Dr. Rachel on the prey sequence, just take a listen here…

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🐾 The Secret to a Happier Cat? Let Them Hunt!

Dr. Rachel Geller has worked with countless cat parents who say, "My cat doesn’t like to play." But in most cases, it’s not that the cat isn’t playful—it’s that we’re not playing the right way.

Many pet parents buy a pile of solo toys (stuffed mice, balls, random catnip toys) and toss them on the floor, expecting their cat to entertain themselves. But as Dr. Rachel points out, this doesn’t mimic a real hunt—and that’s why so many cats ignore these toys.

🐭 Why Solo Toys Don’t Work

Prey doesn’t just sit still and wait to be caught. It moves unpredictably, it hides, and it runs away—all things a stuffed toy on the floor simply doesn’t do.

🐾 The Right Way to Play: The Hunting Sequence

To fully satisfy a cat’s natural instincts, Dr. Rachel teaches a structured, interactive play method that follows their real-life hunting sequence:

1️⃣ Trigger the Prey Drive

Move the wand toy away from your cat, not toward them. Prey doesn’t fling itself into a cat’s face—it runs away! Move it like a real mouse or bird—sometimes fast, sometimes slow, sometimes hiding behind furniture.

2️⃣ Let Your Cat “Capture” the Prey

A common mistake cat parents make? Never letting their cat win. (I’ve been guilty of this so many times). Instead of constantly yanking the toy away, allow multiple captures. In real life, a cat toys with prey before finishing the hunt.

3️⃣ End the Game With a Final Kill

When wrapping up playtime, don’t just drop the toy and walk away. Instead, slow down the movements like the prey is getting tired. Let your cat catch it one last time—this is their victory moment.

4️⃣ Feed Immediately After

This is the most overlooked part! After a real hunt, cats don’t just walk away empty-handed—they eat their prey.

✅ Best practice? Give a small meal or treat right after playtime. This signals to your cat’s brain that the hunt was successful and triggers a natural cycle of hunting, eating, and contentment.

Without this step, cats stay in hunting mode, leading to frustration and destructive behaviors.

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📽️ My Take: How I’m Applying This with Niko & Milo

"When Dr. Rachel explained the hunting sequence, I had a huge realization—I’ve been doing it wrong for years, mainly when I had Nomar and Mia, but even as I started my role as a Cat Dad for Niko and Milo too!

Here’s what I’ve changed with Niko and Milo:

🎣 Using a Wand Toy Properly – I used to dangle it right in front of their faces (totally unrealistic). Now, I make it move like real prey—darting, hiding, and running.

🏆 Letting Them Win – Before, I kept the toy just out of reach the whole time. Now, I let them capture it multiple times—and they love it.

🥩 Ending with Food – I never connected play with feeding. Now, after our sessions, I give them a small treat or part of their meal—and I’ve already noticed they seem more satisfied and calmer afterward.

🐾 What I Wish I Knew for Nomar and Mia – When I had Nomar and Mia, I didn’t realize the importance of structured play. They had tons of toys, but I didn’t play with them in a way that mimicked real hunting. Looking back, I wish I had incorporated more interactive play sessions to keep them mentally and physically engaged. But better late than never, and I’m glad I’m learning the right way to play with Niko and Milo.

These small tweaks have already made a huge difference in Niko and Milo’s energy levels, confidence, and behavior!"

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🐾 What About You?

Have you tried structured play with your cat before? Do you follow the full hunting sequence, or do you need to make some tweaks (like I did)?

Comment below or shoot me an email and let me know—I’d love to hear how your cat responds!

💛 Scott | Golden Whiskers