Glossary

Predatory sequence

The chain of behaviours cats use to hunt: watch, stalk, chase, pounce, kill-bite and eat, which good play should echo.

Also called: hunting sequence, predatory behaviour, hunting instinct, prey drive

The predatory sequence is the pattern a cat follows when it hunts. It runs in order: orient and watch, stalk, chase, pounce, grab and kill-bite, then eat. Wild cats catch many small prey animals a day, and pet cats keep both the instinct and the sequence even when well fed.

Play lets a cat use these steps safely. A wand toy that skitters like a mouse or flutters like a bird lets the cat stalk, chase and pounce. Cats can lose interest if the game never ends in a catch, so let the cat grab the toy now and then. Finish with a small meal or treat, which acts as the eat stage and leaves the cat satisfied and ready for a nap, see puzzle feeder.

Two or three short sessions of around ten minutes each day suit most cats. Use toys, not hands or feet. Rotate toys so they stay new, and put them away afterwards, particularly anything with string, which can cause a blockage if swallowed. Ask your vet if a cat that used to play has lost interest, because pain, illness and age can all play a part.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Enrichment Giving a cat chances to carry out natural behaviours such as climbing, hunting, scratching, hiding and exploring, so it stays well and busy. Puzzle feeder A toy or tray that makes a cat work to get its food, adding exercise and mental effort to mealtimes. Play aggression Biting and clawing during play that is aimed at people's hands and feet, common in young cats that lack playmates. Chattering The rapid clicking of the jaw and teeth, often with chirps, that cats make when watching prey they cannot reach. Prey gift When a cat brings home dead or live prey, a habit with several possible explanations that is not a sign of ill will.

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