Abstract
Cats are considered to be stressed by low-stimulus environments that often occur under complete indoor habitation, and there are concerns about lack of exercise and their need to play to satisfy their hunting instincts. In this study, we surveyed cat owners about the form and response elicitation of toys used by their cats and the frequency of play using a web-based questionnaire. The results showed that wand toys were perceived to elicit the most response, with 93.8% of owners having used them. In addition, natural materials were preferred over artificial materials. Although no significant relationship was found between the frequency of play, housing environment, and incidence of problematic behaviors, cats in confined households spent much less time playing than cats that go outside to engage in hunting behavior, indicating an ageing effect. Considering the psychological and physical health of cats, we recommend the use of toys that are shaped to resemble prey and made of sensory-stimulating natural materials to provide a living environment where effective hunting behavior can occur daily.
