Do cats still bond with you through play if you don’t use catnip toys?

Absolutely. My kitten, Milo, never cared for catnip, but his favorite game became chasing a ribbon I dragged across the floor. The first time we played, he pounced clumsily and missed. But then he tried again, and again—until he caught it. He looked up at me with this proud little face, like he wanted me to see his victory. That moment wasn’t about catnip—it was about us. The laughter, the shared energy, the rhythm of hunter and playmate—it built trust between us. Now, every evening, Milo brings me his ribbon. It’s his way of saying, “Let’s bond.” And I wouldn’t trade that for anything.