Your Cat Isn’t a Robot: Understanding How Feline Preferences Change Over Time

As a certified cat behavior consultant, I hear a lot of statements that sound pretty definitive:

“My cat doesn’t like cat beds.”“She used to play with this toy all the time, but not anymore—she just doesn’t like to play.”

But here’s the thing: cats aren’t static. They’re not little machines who will behave the same way every day for their entire lives. Just like humans, cats are learning, growing, and evolving throughout their lives. Their likes and dislikes can shift with age, experience, and context—and that’s totally normal.

Changing Interests Over Time

It’s perfectly understandable that a toy your cat loved as a kitten no longer excites them as

A year ago she avoided all boxes

an adult. Think about your own childhood. Did you keep the same hobbies and interests from age 10 into your 20s? Probably not. We all go through phases, and so do cats.

Kittens are often more playful in general—they’re still learning about the world and have more energy to burn. As cats mature, their play style may become more subtle or refined. They may prefer different types of toys or need more encouragement to engage in play. That doesn’t mean they “don’t like to play”—it just means the how and why behind their play behavior has shifted.

The Role of Early Experience

Another important factor in feline preferences is what a cat was (or wasn’t) exposed to earlier in life. Take my cat Frankie, for example. She was rescued as an adult stray from the countryside and didn’t seem to have much interest in boxes or cat beds—two things my previous cats adored.

I suspect that because Frankie didn’t encounter these items during her formative months, she didn’t have any context for them. But over time, as she’s had more positive experiences in my home, she’s begun to change. Lately, she’s started voluntarily jumping into boxes. Usually, I’m her preferred cat bed—but when I’m not available, she’s been curling up in some curtains I’ve been meaning to hang. Once I do, I’m planning to put a towel or bed in

The closest thing to a bed she's slept on

that spot and see if it becomes her new favorite nap zone.

Be Curious, Not Certain

The takeaway here is that we need to stay open-minded about our cats. Just because they’ve reacted a certain way in the past doesn’t mean they always will. If your cat used to ignore wand toys, maybe they’ll love one with a feather or a different movement pattern. If they’ve never used a cat bed, maybe they just haven’t found the right one—or the right location.

Give your cat space to surprise you. Offer variety, revisit old ideas in new ways, and remember: your cat is a dynamic, sentient being with moods, preferences, and the capacity for change.

Being enclosed used to be scary

Have you ever had your cat surprise you by loving something they used to ignore?

Changes in behavior aren’t always a red flag—sometimes they’re just part of your cat’s ongoing development. If you’re feeling unsure about what your cat’s behavior means or how to support their evolving preferences, I’m here to help.

I work with cat guardians around the world to solve behavior challenges through positive, fear-free methods. If you’re ready for personalized guidance, reach out to me—I’d love to help you better understand the amazing, ever-changing feline in your life.