Boredom and environmental stressors can cause cats to display unwanted behaviors, and stress from inadequate enrichment also can lead to significant health issues. Our Animal Hospital of Parkland team wants to help by offering tips to keep your indoor cat content and entertained.

#1: Inspire your cat’s hunter instinct

Cats are predators, and they enjoy hunting prey. Giving them a food bowl filled with kibble doesn’t allow them to satisfy their need to stalk their meal. Tips to make your cat’s meal times more stimulating include:

  • Playing hide-and-seek — Divide your cat’s meal, and hide portions around your home to make them hunt for their food. Choose simple hiding places to start until your cat understands the game, and change the hiding places at every meal to ensure the task isn’t too easy for them. 
  • Using food puzzle toys — Try a food puzzle toy to make your cat solve a problem to get their meal. Several options are available to purchase, or you can make your own by cutting holes in a shoebox and putting their food inside. 

#2: Use interactive cat toys

Another way to let your cat express their hunter instinct is to use interactive cat toys that allow them to stalk, chase, and catch their prey. Good options include laser pointers, wand-style toys, and toys on strings. Every cat has their own play preference, so try several toys to see which ones your cat enjoys most, and switch them out frequently to prevent boredom.

#3: Ensure your cat’s litter box is acceptable

Cats can be finicky, especially about where they use the bathroom. Ensure you take steps to make your cat’s litter box appealing so they don’t find an inappropriate location to do their business. Tips include:

  • Finding an acceptable place — Place your cat’s litter box in a quiet area where they aren’t likely to be disturbed by people, other pets, or loud noises such as the washing machine’s spin cycle.
  • Using an acceptable litter — Most cats prefer unscented, clumping litter. While you may appreciate a scented litter to mask litter box odors, many cats are offended by these smells. 
  • Providing an acceptable size litter box — Ensure your cat’s litter box is large enough for them to use comfortably. The box should be as long as your cat from their nose to the tip of their outstretched tail, and as wide as your cat from their nose to the base of their tail.
  • Providing an acceptable number of litter boxes — Cats don’t like to share their litter box. Provide one litter box for every cat in your home, plus one extra.
  • Practicing acceptable litter box hygiene — Scoop your cat’s litter box at least twice a day, and change out the litter and clean the box at least once a week.

#4: Let your cat scratch

Cats have an instinctive need to scratch. The behavior helps them remove dead nail tissue, stretch and exercise their muscles, and leave scent messages for other cats. Providing appropriate scratching posts will help protect your furniture, curtains, and carpet. Tips include:

  • Providing options — Cat scratchers come in different orientations and materials. Provide several options to ensure your cat’s scratching preferences are met.
  • Offering scratchers throughout your home — Place cat scratchers in every room in your home to ensure your cat has an acceptable scratching surface wherever they are.
  • Stabilizing the scratching post — Ensure the cat scratcher is stable so your pet isn’t startled by a wobbly surface. 
  • Making the cat scratcher appealing — Place catnip or your cat’s favorite toy on a new scratcher to entice them to use the post.

#5: Provide vertical space

Cats are prey animals as well as predators, and they typically feel safer when they can observe their environment from an elevated vantage point. Tips include:

  • Providing cat trees — Purchase or build your own cat tree so your cat has a safe spot to rest.
  • Clearing furniture — Remove objects from the top of your refrigerator and bookshelves so your cat can use these areas to survey their domain.
  • Placing shelving — Consider placing shelving at various heights around your living space so your cat can navigate the room from an elevated position.
  • Providing ramps — For older cats who may suffer from arthritis, provide ramps or stairs to help them access elevated surfaces.

#6: Let your cat hide

Cats feel more secure when they have a hiding place. Ensure your cat has a comfortable space where they can go to rest. Don’t disturb your cat when they are in their hiding place, and consider using a cat gate if you have children or other pets in your home who may not respect your cat’s privacy. 

#7: Provide a window perch for your cat

A calico cat, recently examined by the vet, is sleeping on a soft mat beside a window. Sunlight filters through the partially closed blinds, creating warm stripes of light across the cat's fur. The cozy scene captures a tranquil moment.

Cats enjoy looking out the window at birds, insects, and small mammals. Provide a comfortable window perch, and leave your curtains open so your cat has a good view. You also can install a bird feeder outside the window to ensure your cat has plenty of activity to watch.

Keeping your indoor cat happy will help prevent behavioral issues and certain health complications. If your cat is exhibiting unwanted behaviors, contact our Animal Hospital of Parkland team so we can determine the cause and find a remedy to the problem.