Self-directed play is very healthy and should be encouraged by providing your cat with suitable toys, such as:

• ping-pong ball
• toy mouse
• rolled up foil (large enough not to be swallowed) or paper
• soft toys that mimic prey (birds, mice)
• cat nip toys
• food-enrichment toys (more on this under ‘Feeding enrichment’)

Provide a few toys like these, all the time, but rotate them regularly so that they don’t become boring.

If your cat has one particular favourite toy, maybe carrying it around in the mouth or taking it to bed, this is one that can be left out all the time. It’s your cat’s way of saying “This is my favourite, please can I keep it?!”