Hmmm... Maybe it's trying to hunt? Or mark territory, I guess. I'd say the more stimulation you can offer, the less inclined it'll be to bail on you. Guess you could always make some kinda makeshift toy, too. Like... hm.

[He casts a glance to his Persian who, of course, opted to swat at that leafy tail again.]

Maybe a string, some kinda stick, and a light object at the end it can bat around. If you could get stray feathers from a Pidgey or Spearow, that might do the trick.