How to Help Your Indoor Cat Live Their Best Life
Blog by Pet Greens
You love your cat. Like, obsessively. You talk to them in a baby voice. You cancel plans when they're curled up on your lap. You've watched them ignore 37 toys and fall in love with an empty box. It's okay-we're not judging.
But even if your indoor cat is living the life of naps, snacks, and surveillance from the windowsill, that doesn't mean they're truly living their best life. Indoor cats need enrichment, exercise, and the right nutrition to stay healthy and happy for the long haul (like two decades of judgy stares and unsolicited 4AM zoomies).
Let's dive into what it takes to make your cat's indoor life the luxury experience they're convinced they deserve (and they're not wrong).
How Long Do Indoor Cats Live?
Here's the good news: indoor cats typically live longer than their outdoor counterparts-13 to 17 years on average, with many reaching their 20s. That's because they're not dodging cars, predators, or questionable street snacks.
Of course, longevity isn't guaranteed. It depends on good genes, what you feed them, how active they are, and whether they get regular vet care.
🛋 The 5-Star Indoor Cat Lifestyle Guide
Here's how to upgrade your cat's life from "comfortable" to "King of the Realm."
🍽 1. Feed Them Like Royalty
(But Not So Much That They Turn Into a Furry Ottoman)
Nutrition is everything. Your cat may act like a nonchalant floof loaf, but their body is a finely tuned machine… that demands high-protein, low-carb fuel (and they'll side-eye you for days if dinner is late.)
✅ Tips:
- Choose a premium, meat-based cat food that fits their life stage. Cats are obligate carnivores, so the recent advent of vegan diets for cats is just plain wrong - sorry!
- Avoid fillers like corn, wheat, and mystery "by-products" (would you want to eat something called "animal digest?")
- Add Pet Greens® live Cat Grass or treats to support digestion, reduce hairballs, and offer safe, satisfying nibbling.
Make sure they only have access to the right plants that you have verified are safe by reading up on the dos and don'ts of house plants in your cat's environment.
🧶 Turn Playtime Into a Ritual
(And With a Bit of Luck You'll Be Spared the 3AM Chaos Sprint)
Just because they're inside doesn't mean they've lost the urge to stalk, pounce, and attack your toes through a blanket. Cats are stealthy predators. Or at least, they think they are. (Don't bring up that time they chased their own tail for eight straight minutes.)
To keep their instincts sharp and their boredom levels low:
- Schedule two 10-15 minute play sessions daily. One in the evening before bedtime is a great idea!
- Use wand toys, the sash on your bathrobe, or even a balled-up receipt (they're not picky.) Pro tip: be sure to put those wand toys away when you're done playing - this tells kitty the toys are "special" and not just lying around for them to chew on whenever the mood strikes.
- Rotate toys weekly to keep things exciting. There are so many to choose from, this should be easy.
All of this playing isn't just for exercise-it reduces stress, keeps them mentally sharp, and lowers the risk of destructive boredom. Which means less shredded furniture and fewer objects launched off the tables.
Here are some tips on how to play - the right way!
🏰 Create a Cat Kingdom at Home
(Your House Is Theirs-Accept It)
Cats are territorial, curious, and extremely opinionated about furniture. Your job? Turn your space into a feline dreamscape.
✅ Essential Amenities Include:
- Window perches for prime bird-watching and essential sunbathing.
- Vertical climbing spaces and cat trees (the higher, the better - cats have no fear of heights.)
- Cozy hiding spots, from boxes to hammocks (and if you can't find your cat, check the linen closet - it's a favorite spot when they're craving peace and quiet.)
- Indoor greens like Pet Greens Fresh Catnip for a fun, safe enrichment option.
Think of your home like a feline amusement park. Remember, enrichment = entertainment. Bored cats start podcasting at 3 AM. Don't say we didn't warn you.
🩺 Keep Up with Their Health
(They Can't Schedule Their Own Vet Appointments-Yet)
Cats are masters of hiding discomfort - it's part of their survival instinct. One day they're fine, the next day they're vomiting* on your pillow. Routine veterinary care helps you catch issues early-before your cat gets dramatic about it.
✅ Must-Dos:
- Annual wellness exams
- Vaccinations and parasite prevention
- Litter box cleanliness (cats are very particular)
- Monitor changes in appetite, grooming, or mood
*Oh, and yes: cat vomit isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it's just nature doing a spring cleaning. (Check out our blog about that here: Cat vomiting? Not always a bad thing.)
🧘 Love Them-But Know Your Place
You Are Staff. They Are CEO.
Cats love routine. They love calm. And yes, they love you. (They just express it through blinking, tail flicks, and watching you sleep like a Victorian ghost.)
Show Affection by:
- Respecting their boundaries (belly rubs are a trap 80% of the time)
- Providing a consistent daily routine
- Creating quiet zones for solo recharge time
And in case they haven't already told you, here's what they don't love:
- Being picked up like a teddy bear
- Loud noises
- Your lack of punctuality when it comes to breakfast (6:01 AM? Unacceptable.)
Respect your cat's space, listen to their cues, and you'll be rewarded with slow blinks, surprise snuggles, and maybe-maybe-permission to touch the belly.
Final Meow: Living Their Best Life Starts with You
Helping your indoor cat thrive isn't about going overboard. It's about showing up with the right food, playtime, health care, and a bit of humor when they inevitably sit in your salad.
At Pet Greens, we're here to help with that-providing cat-approved greens, treats, and wellness goodies that support your cat's whole vibe.
Because if anyone deserves to live like a star, it's the majestic floof napping on your clean laundry.
Ready to treat your cat like the royalty they believe they are?
