The Time and Energy Costs of Play Behaviour in the Cat

and Summary The time and energy costs of play behaviour were assessed empirically for 10‐ to 12‐week‐old kittens ( Felis catus ), using a variety of methods. Play was found, on average, to occupy 9% of total time. The net daily energy expenditure (in excess of resting metabolism) due to play was found to account for approximately 4% (and at most 9%) of total daily energy expenditure, excluding growth. These results cast some doubt on the...