Stray Cat doesn't like to play

Hi, so this is about my roommates stray cat who he took in about 6 months ago.

It's only been a week or so since we moved in together, in a 2 story house but I think the cat already likes me. However, He doesn't see the point in play-time with string/ wrinkled up receipts/ etc...I think the cat is around 3 years old, maybe 2+ years in the wild before turning up at my friends door to beg for food.  

I leave my door open unlike his owner and the other 2 room mates we have and he usually wanders in. I've been leaving treats in "hiding" spots so that he has things to do while I'm on the computer doing college work. His safe spot is still under a sink in a toilet (closest to my room) and usually after I piss/shower, I pet him and he allows me to pet him. He growls/purrs deeply when I do so, so I assume he likes it. I even bring treats to him sometimes.

What I'm trying to ask is how I can make the cat feel more at home. I have a moving box that I put upside down and put some towels in to make it comfy in my room, but the cat won't sleep there or anything... even after I put treats in it..he goes in but leaves. ):

I should add that the cat, Ramen, has been taken to the vet and is neutered. 

Does he plays with his owner?   How is he with his owner, loving friendly and attached, or rather, a so so?

Some cats arent so fond in playing.  But semiferales dont plaing is in much a myth.  With them its often a question of feeling safe and comfortable.  When they have landed, and feel safe and comfortable, most of them begin to play, them too...

My guess so for, before you had come with more facts, is, he doesnt feel completely at ease as yet, and this is why he cant relax much enough to let himself go off, and amuse himself with merry play.   Standing ready, being on his watch, takes too much strain as yet.

You are doing everything correctly if your purpose is to make him your good friend, but it takes time, patience and love.  Its essentially as simply as that.   Also, do speak al lot with him in a friendly voice.  Lay down when he is in your room...

You can also try with a Feliway diffuser if you want.   It will make him feel a little more relaxed, the harmonius feeling of being at home, so to speak.

(obsereve, the risk is he will prefer you before his owner, esp if he is so so with his owner.   Do you want it so?  Did you agree you will perhaps take over the ownership??)

Good luck!

Sometimes it is all about finding the right toy.  String is usually a winner, but not for every cat.  Since he lived outside as a stray, he might not be familiar with toys.  You will need to try and find a toy that he likes.  Have you tried any catnip toys?  You can get some small mice and put some catnip on them for him or get some furry balls with catnip inside.  It may also take him time to adjust to new people in the home. 

Keep leaving him treats in your room.  The bed you made for him is a great idea.  Just keep leaving treats there and give him time.  He has to feel comfortable enough to stay with you. 

Try some new toys, but also try and pet and get to know him.  Once he trusts you more, he may open up and enjoy play time.

Thank you for caring about him and wanting the best for him.

It sounds like you're doing everything right, and the longer he knows you, the more comfortable with you he'll get. Does he go outdoors, or is he an indoor-only cat? If the former, he may be getting enough stimulation outside that he isn't compelled to work off energy with play. Sometimes it is simply a matter of finding the right toy. There's a roughly 3-year-old former stray at our local shelter who showed absolutely no interest in play until a red bell fell off one of her roommate's toys. Now she bats that bell around for ages and loves to chase it when you roll it for her. She finds other toys boring.

Few cats can resist cat nip toys. Even my feral outdoor cat will play with a cat nip toy for a few minutes (and then acted embarrassed about it afterwards, lol). Wand toys are also something most cats can't resist.

When I took in a stray years ago, it took him about 6 months to learn how to play with cat toys. He was an outside cat and I think his "owners" moved away and left him, and he was on his own for about a year before I took him in. I don't think he'd ever played before, so it took him a while to understand the concept. Maybe no one has played with your kitty before, either, so it may take a while.

It's great that you're befriending this cat. 

   Our 2yr old girl (vet estimate of age) was a neighborhood stray for at least a year prior to acquiring us in Nov 2016. While at first she loved her squeaky mouse for a few months, now the only thing she shows any interest in playing with is a shoe lace tied to a long wand. Gypsy will chase it, jump for it and lay on her back batting the lace tip for as long as we can keep going. The catnip mouse originally attached to the wand was ignored as soon as she stripped the feathers off of it. Thank goodness for the return policy on all the toys I keep trying to buy for her. She doesn't like catnip and although she stays pretty close to us she only wants brushed, chin rubbed, butt scratched etc.. when SHE wants it. Once she is snuggled in we can pet her everywhere and handle her paws to trim nails, she never scratches or bites to wound us. Haven't tried the teeth brushing yet.

   Just be patient and don't try to force anything. You are doing great.

   p.s. She has been a permanent indoor cat since late Jan 2017 after she came home limping on a back paw, trip to the vet,   it turned out to be a healed over puncture wound. Multiple trips to the the vet for antibiotics, pain pills and she is still on Prednisolone, since a few weeks after the rear paw she started limping on her left front, back to the vet, 2 healed over puncture wounds.

   Shes doing great now except for wanting out since the weather has turned nice, we're working on harness and leash training.

Gosh darn it, I keep forgetting to check dates on these posts, sure wish I knew how it all worked out.