Indoor Cat Enrichment: How to Keep a Bored Indoor Cat Happy and Engaged
Blog by Dusty Rainbolt, Award-winning Cat Writer
If your cat splits their time between indoors and outdoors, it may be time to promote Fluffy to a full-time indoor-only cat. Although estimates of outdoor-cat lifespan differ dramatically, the dangers they face are undeniable. Traffic, predators, parasites, toxins, infectious diseases and intentional cruelty dramatically increase the risks for any cat who roams outside.
Regardless of whether your kitty has been an insider since first joining your family, or if this is Fluffy’s first day as a housecat-in-training, don’t just close the door and expect a contented calico.
Boredom is dangerous territory for a cat. Think toddler-meets-permanent-marker on your newly painted wall—that’s the kind of “creativity” you could be facing. If you don’t satisfy these needs to think and move, your cat will find their own outlets by scratching furniture, climbing drapes, spraying and possibly even attacking your hands or other pets.
In the wild, a domestic cat spends their eight waking hours on the job — hunting for dinner. The job of catching prey requires strategizing, stalking, running, jumping and climbing trees. Offer indoor outlets for these natural behaviors so your cat can do the things they’re genetically wired to do.
A stimulating inside environment will help curb behavior problems as well as your cat’s desire to go outside by giving them the mental and physical challenges they’d normally seek outdoors.
Creating Adventures Without Leaving the Living Room
Here are some simple ways to bring the outside in—no front door required.
1. Consider building a catio, screening in your current porch, or installing a window enclosure.
Fluffy can bask in the sun and enjoy fresh air while surveying their territory.
Window perches, a less costly option, also allow a kitty to soak up some rays from the safety of the living room. Add a birdfeeder just outside the window, and voilà — tabby television.
2. Install a cat fence or, for adventurous types, take them for a walk.
A cat fence, while pricey, can give Fluffy the run of the yard and the ability to run and jump anytime. You can try taking your cat for a walk, however, if you put the harness on and they melt down (writhing, dilated pupils or they lie motionless), forget it.
3. Provide opportunities to scratch.
Not that foot-tall wobbly post you bought for $3, but a heavy, stable post that doesn’t move when Fluffy gives it a good tug. If you’re strapped for cash and have the space in your house for it, drag in a log with the bark still attached.
4. Give your cat high places to hang out.
An expensive cat tree will do the trick. So will clearing off some shelves in the bookcase and padding with old towels.
5. Create quiet hidey holes.
Outside cats hide from danger in nooks and crannies and stay concealed to watch for prey. While you can buy an enclosed bed, you can also offer your kitty a paper bag (with the handles cut or removed) or a cardboard box.
6. Offer a cat garden.
For a real scratch-and-sniff experience, offer live cat grass, catnip, and catmint. Skip nursery plants, which may carry toxic pesticides or fertilizers. Grow your own or grab the ready-to-eat versions at your favorite pet supply store.
(Here’s an article that talks about the characteristics and benefits of both catnip and catmint)
7. Play stalk-and-pounce games.
Simulate a real hunt. Try to make the tease toy react like frightened prey. Scurry for a few steps and stop. Let your cat catch the “bird” or “mouse” every now and then. After all, it’s no fun if you never win. When the game is over, serve dinner.
Cat behavior expert Pam Johnson-Bennett explains appropriate interactive play with your cat in a YouTube short here.
8. Make them work for their treats.
Instead of letting your cat eat treats whenever they want to, place kibble in a treat ball. When they want some yummies, they’ll have to swat it or push the ball around with their nose to release the treats. It takes energy and keeps their minds occupied.
