Because you want this to be a positive, fun experience for your cat, let him successfully capture his prey several times during the game. In a real hunt, the cat might catch the prey between his front paws where it might stay, wriggling to get away. Do that type of movement with the toy as well. If the cat grasps the toy and holds it down with his front paws, let it sit there for a few seconds and then gently start to wriggle free. The cat has small whiskers on the underside of his front paws that are used to detect even the slightest movement of trapped prey.

Next step:

• Wind the action down gradually