Toy Cycling
Toy Cycling is when you take away your cat’s toys once they’re bored
— out of sight out of mind —
and replace them with something new or different to keep them engaged in play.
Repeat that every time your cat shows signs of boredom, then when you reintroduce their old toys, they’re basically brand new and exciting to play with!
Follow our simple & easy 3-step system:
1. Cats play with a toy until they’re bored. (remember to try each Goosie Game for a toy before cycling it out!)
2. Cat parent takes that toy away and replaces it with something new.
3. After a few Cycles, reintroduce the old toy and kitty plays like it’s brand new!
*every cat cycles at their own pace
How to get started!
1. Take inventory of your cat's Play Set (all of their toys!)
2. Separate them into 4 sections, or Cycles.
Lucy's tip: Try and have a toy and game for each instinct and play style in every cycle; interactive, kickers, scent enrichment, solo smackers, stalking, jumping, scratching, etc.!
3. Keep one Cycle out to play their Goosie Games and put the other 3 Cycles away.
Lucy's tip: A basket or bin you keep out at all times is not ideal for Toy Cycling, since your cat can still see the toys. Put them completely away in a drawer or a box!
4. Look out for signs of boredom in your cat. (Depending on how long you've had your cat it may take a while to recognize their behavior patterns.) Once they start acting out in boredom, put away the toys from their current Cycle and take out the next Cycle.
Lucy's tip: If your cat gets bored quickly, try having a higher number of smaller Cycles so there's more time and toys in between when kitty sees the same toy(s) again! And if your cat is still enjoying a toy, do NOT cycle it out just because "it's time to cycle." Let them enjoy their toys for as long as they want! Only cycle out a toy once kitty is fully bored of it.
Lucy's tip: Don't ONLY cycle their toys, cycle their Goosie Games too before moving on to a different toy! And make sure to have a variety of items in their Playscape as well so they always have a new sight, smell, sound, or texture in their environment!