[ArcheM]

We live in a ground-floor apartment, and we used to let her out in the summer, but no more for several years, at least trying to, although she sometimes manages to escape. So she clearly feels bored. And she's 9, so I feel I've kind of tried everything (and she didn't care for most of my attempts). So during her daily vocal sessions I feel useless and hopeless, because I'd like to be a better owner. But there's nothing left to do and she's already old, and she can't be taught new habits. But also I'm poor now and can't afford to go around looking at the latest gadgets they've come up with, and anyway more likely than not she'll just ignore them, like most of her previous toys. And I don't know if she feels like me, or can feel what I feel, which is tired of this old place but having no means to do anything about it.

[*Laurie*]

I'm glad you posted your question.

9 is an 'older' cat, but my goodness - I have a cat that is 18 years old and still plays! My cats are indoors-only and love to play with mylar balls (the crinkly kind), they love catnip, and some of them like jingle-balls. Almost every day I tie one of the mylar balls to a string and let my cats chase it and bat it - they are wild for that! I have very little money and cannot afford expensive gadgets...many great cat toys are so cheap.

Check these out, for example:

https://www.amazon.com/Chiwava-Crink...lar+ball&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/18-Pieces-Kit...oy+jingle+ball

[ArcheM]

My cat doesn't seem to care for catnip, honestly. However, she's a valerian fiend... Maybe I should stop resisting it.

I've heard that cats with friends are generally happier, but mine is notoriously antisocial really, so there's just me, with my own psych problems.

Thanks.

[possum220]

Wondering if putting your cat on a leash and taking it for a walk might help?

[pegasus]

A stick with a piece of string on the end is just as good made by yourself! I don't know if you ever watch, 'My Cat from hell' with Jackson Galaxy but he comes up with lots of ideas on entertaining cats. Cats love to look out the window and I also think older cats often just like to sleep and snuggle.

[ArcheM]

Originally Posted by possum220

Wondering if putting your cat on a leash and taking it for a walk might help?

Oh, no, my cat seems to have a phobia for that particular situation, resuling in bandages for me. I don't know what it is, but she doesn't recognize me when she's outside.

[Apokolips]

My 14 year old rescue just started playing for the first time this year. She is not too old to learn new habits but cats are not solitary they really do best with a friend. I've seen a whole new side of Charmander since I found him a little sister. I think your older girl would find a companion she can communicate with a very good thing. The proof is in the pictures.

[ArcheM]

I quite honestly don't trust my cat about that. And I don't trust myself to be able to feed another cat. I mean, I constantly expect to lose it and quit my job, and it won't do my sanity any good if I have to rely on my mom for two cats... And that's among the many things I don't trust. I'd rather have something inanimate that can't get sick, but can be repaired or replaced...

[Travelinglady]

My cat played for a long time with a balled up wrapper from a stick of cinnamon gum! Maybe it was the cinnamon that turned him on?

[Jessy1239]

Having two cats isn't actually that much different than having just one cat. I felt the same way as you about 4 years ago. I was fine with my one girl cat, Smokey, but then my friend found some abandoned kittens, so I took one in...It was the BEST thing I've ever done for my one kitty (Smokey). She was very antisocial and scared of everything. But as soon as I got Jake, she took him under her wing and nursed him into adulthood. I was super reluctant at first (the extra work, the space, etc.), but it turned out great. Now they're both large, healthy, grown up kitties that keep each other VERY entertained lol. I'm gone pretty much all day (10 hour shifts), so they keep themselves occupied. I can tell because some of their "cat furniture" will be moved, or upside down...or little things like that. Maybe you can try introducing your kitty to a friends kitty and see how she reacts?

[Unrigged64072835]

My cats love boxes. Ask a store if they have boxes to get rid of.

My cat also likes to play when no one is looking.

[lizardlady]

Ah, you don't have to spend a lot of money on cat toys. I get some of mine at Dollar Tree (everything costs $1). There are packs with 3 or 4 catnip mice in them. They have a huge selection of hangley things on a stick. They even have laser lights for a buck! Even my old fart cat likes to play with the light. According to two of my cats the absolute BEST toy in the whole wide world is a wadded up piece of paper.

Then again, your cat just might be the playful type. Some cats aren't.

[*Laurie*]

Boxes - great idea. Most cats love boxes.

[pegasus]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

Ah, you don't have to spend a lot of money on cat toys. I get some of mine at Dollar Tree (everything costs $1). There are packs with 3 or 4 catnip mice in them. They have a huge selection of hangley things on a stick. They even have laser lights for a buck! Even my old fart cat likes to play with the light. According to two of my cats the absolute BEST toy in the whole wide world is a wadded up piece of paper.

Then again, your cat just might be the playful type. Some cats aren't.

Wow! Laser lights for a buck, I'm going to get mine one of those.

[ArcheM]

I guess it's pointless. I mean, I'd take another cat only on the condition that it came together with a whole exotic zoo, and that would happen only if I were 1000% sure I could take care of it... But another matter is that my cat talks to me. Or vocalizes in any case, and I have no clue what she wants. It's nothing obvious and she doesn't want to play. The situation makes me despair and not want to have anything to do with another creature that can't either talk or doesn't comes with a comprehensive translator.