Goosie Game: Draggy Mouse
Great for: Moderate Energy, Moderate Intelligence, Stalking & Chasing
Not the best for: Aggressive cats who may attack your hand instead of the mouse
How to play: Holding the mouse by the tail, get your cat's attention and slowly drag the mouse on the floor around some furniture or their tunnel. Watch their body language and keep dragging the mouse until the pounce! Once they charge the mouse, pull it away or release it from your hand! Restart once kitty is happy with their catch and walks away.
Tips & Tricks: Depending on the day, your cat might prefer a slower speed or faster jerking motions. Test out different speeds to see what your cat's enticed by that play session!
Goosie Game: Go Long!
Great for: High Energy, All Intelligence, Stalking & Chasing
How to play: Shake & rattle the mouse on the ground to get your cat's attention, then slide the mouse fast across the room or down a hallway (this game only works on hard flooring, not carpets or rugs!) Kitty will chase it and then let them swat it around, pick it up, bite it, and play on their own. Wait until they've stopped playing to pick it up and slide it again.
Tips & Tricks: This Goosie Game is best played with the fluffy rattling mice than the plush mice, since they slide more smoothly! If your cat needs a higher energy version, try this game with the Bouncy Feather Balls!
Goosie Game: Tailspin
Great for: Moderate Energy, Low Intelligence, Jumping & Climbing, Swatting & Pouncing
How to play: Hold the mouse by the very tip of its tail upside down so the mouse swings. Spin the tail between your thumb and forefinger, holding it slightly above your cat's' head so they have to reach and hopefully get up on their hind legs to catch the spinning mouse! Think of it like a piñata for your cat!
Tips & Tricks: If your cat doesn't like the rattling sound, you can play this with regular plush mice!
Goosie Game: Toss Across!
Great for: Moderate Energy, Moderate Intelligence, Stalking & Chasing
How to play: Get kitty's attention with their mouse, then toss it across an item from their playscape, a piece of furniture, or something they can't see the other side of (Lucy likes to play this across the kitchen island!) Since they can't see where the mouse landed, their curiosity gets the best of them and they won't be able to help but run to the other side to find the mouse. Bonus points if they bring it back!
Tips & Tricks: It can also land in something for an additional obstacle to get to the mouse! Like in the Christmas tree branches (iykyk), in a shoe, etc.!
Goosie Game: Flying Mouse
Inspired by Lucy Goosie Cat @junotheclingycat on Instagram!
Great for: High Energy, Low-Moderate Intelligence, Jumping & Climbing
How to play: Thread a string through the nose or tie it to the mouse's tail and now you can also use it on a wand! "Sometimes the mouse also flies! Juno doesn’t like flying feathers but a flying rattle mouse? She does massive jumps, run and chases like I’ve never seen before. Like the rainbow game but with chasing too!" - @junotheclingycat
Tips & Tricks: "The rest are wonderful for solo play + hiding around corners in the house to find during the day or night." -@junotheclingycat