Is senior Selkirk Rex life still playful, or mostly plush-chair royalty?

It really depends on the individual cat, but generally speaking, a healthy senior Selkirk Rex remains playful-just in shorter, gentler bursts compared to their kitten or prime years. They still enjoy chasing a wand toy, batting at crinkle balls, or even initiating a game of "fetch" if that was their thing. The curls in their coat might get a bit more matted as they slow down grooming, but their personality often stays sweetly social and moderately active well into their teens.

That said, they absolutely embrace their plush-chair royalty moments. By seniorhood, they’ve mastered the art of lounging in sunbeams or on your lap for hours. You’ll likely see a balance: a few minutes of playful zoomies or toy stalking in the morning or evening, followed by long stretches of regal napping. The key is keeping them engaged with low-impact toys and interactive play to maintain muscle tone and mental sharpness, without pushing them beyond their comfort zone.

A senior Selkirk Rex usually keeps a quiet, observant playfulness rather than the wild energy of youth. I’ve seen many that still engage in deliberate, thoughtful games-like tracking a laser dot slowly across the floor or patting a toy mouse tucked under a chair. The difference is in the pacing: they’ll bat at a dangling feather for a few minutes, then curl up in that royal plush-chair pose you mentioned, watching you with half-closed eyes as if they’ve already solved the puzzle. Their play becomes more about mental stimulation than physical exertion.

The "plush-chair royalty" phase is real, but it’s not the whole picture. I’ve known senior Selkirk Rex cats that still surprise you with bursts of play-like suddenly stalking a crinkled paper bag from across the room, then flopping down after two swats. The key is they often prefer interactive games that require less speed, like a slow-moving wand toy or a treat-dispensing puzzle. They’re more likely to engage if the play mimics their natural hunting rhythm in short, low-impact sessions.

That said, I’d be honest: most will spend more time lounging and observing than actively chasing. Their joints might be stiffer, and they’ll let you know when they’re done. So yes, you’ll see more regal naps, but don’t write off a sudden chase of a stray sunbeam-just keep it gentle and respect their pace.

One thing I noticed with my own senior Selkirk is that their playfulness shifts toward "hunting" the warmest spot in the room, which they take very seriously. They'll stalk a sunbeam across the floor with real determination, then flop into it with a triumphant grunt. That's still a game to them, just with a different goal. I also find they love interactive toys that don't require much running, like a toy on a string that dangles near their face while they lounge-they'll bat at it for ten minutes straight from a plush-chair position. So it's not that they stop playing, but they turn play into a more stationary sport.

Look, I love my senior Selkirk Rex dearly, but let's be honest: the "hunting" these days is more about stalking the treats I've forgotten to hide than any actual prey drive. She'll give a feather toy a dignified half-swat, then immediately flop onto her side as if to say, "I've made my point." The real play is in her eyes-she'll watch a moth on the ceiling with the intensity of a lioness, but won't bother getting up. It's less playful and more observational royalty, if you ask me.