In an adorable video posted to Instagram, a calico cat named Patches reveals his unique preferences when playing, delighting viewers with his selective interest in toys. Unlike your average feline who might jump at the first sight of a dangling object, Patches has her own unique way of playing. The human tries to entertain her with a hair tie, but the cat seems uninterested. However, once the strings start working, Patches becomes noticeably more enthusiastic as long as her human remains actively involved.
Calico cats cannot fully enjoy string play as long as their owners are involved
This short video begins with Patches’ owner waving a pack of hair ties in front of her. Despite her owner’s attempts to tempt her with this makeshift toy, Patches remains unfazed. Even the sound of his paper-wrapped tie swaying did nothing to pique her interest. This lack of response may be perplexing to some, but it’s just a prelude to Patches’ real interest.
Things change when her human replaces her hair tie with a simple string. Her demeanor changes almost instantly as the string dangles and dances in front of Patch. Her eyes sparkle with curiosity and playfulness, and she moves to touch and bite the thread. The overlaid text humorously states, “As for strings, a patch only plays on strings if a human is ‘manipulating’ the strings,” which does not allow for human interaction while playing. Her desire to seek is emphasized.
In the video, the moment the cat’s owner releases the leash, the cat’s interest in play disappears just as quickly as it appears. Her eyes wander and her attention wanders, confirming that her fascination lies not only in the strings themselves, but in the dynamic movement orchestrated by her human companion. The on-screen text captures this perfectly, stating, “The moment you drop the string, she loses interest, lol.”
Patches’ selective playfulness resonates with viewers who find her antics relatable and funny. The video sparked a discussion among pet parents about their pets’ strange habits, especially how some animals crave the special bonds formed through interactive play. . As Patches shows, sometimes it’s the simple pleasures, like a little string or a caring human being, that create the most enjoyable experiences.
