Keeping an indoor cat busy and happy

An indoor cat needs the things that outdoor life would give it: a place to hide, things to climb, prey to chase, scents to investigate and routine company. Add these in small, steady steps. A few short play sessions a day, vertical space, food puzzles and a window view meet most needs. enrichment is everything you add to a home to let a cat act like a cat.

What cats need

Cats are predators, climbers and territory watchers. In a home they still want to stalk, pounce, scratch, perch high, hide, explore and sleep somewhere safe. When these needs go unmet, cats can become bored or stressed. You may see over-grooming, pacing, night crying, scratching furniture, aggression, house soiling or weight gain.

Think of a cat's day as a set of needs:

• A safe place. Somewhere quiet to rest and retreat.
• Separate resources. Food, water, litter and beds in different places.
• Play and hunting. Chances to stalk, chase and catch.
• Good contact with people. Gentle, predictable interaction on the cat's terms.
• Smell and senses. Scents, textures and sounds that make the home interesting.

Hunting and play

Play is the most useful form of enrichment. Cats follow a pattern known as the predatory sequence: watch, stalk, chase, pounce, catch, bite, then eat. Good play follows the same pattern.

1. Use a wand toy. Choose a toy on a string or wand. Move it away from the cat like a bird or mouse, not toward it. Let it dart, hide behind objects and stop.
2. Let the cat catch it. A game that never ends in a catch is frustrating. End with a catch, then a meal or treat.
3. Play a few times a day. Two to four sessions of ten minutes is a good aim for most young adult cats. Older cats may prefer shorter sessions.
4. Rotate toys. Keep a few out and store the rest. Swap them every week so they seem new.
5. Offer toys for solo play. Balls, crinkle toys, small plush mice and tunnels are useful when you are out.
6. Do not use your hands or feet as toys. A cat taught to attack fingers may bite later.
7. Keep laser pointers rare. A red dot can be frustrating because the cat cannot catch it. If you use one, finish with a real toy the cat can bite.
8. Remove string toys after play. Cats can swallow string, ribbon, hair ties and yarn, which can cause a dangerous blockage. Store them out of reach.

Food as enrichment

A wild cat works for each meal. A bowl takes no effort. Make some meals harder.

• Puzzle feeders. A puzzle feeder releases kibble as the cat paws or rolls it.
• Scatter feeding. Spread dry food on the floor or in a cardboard tray.
• Hidden food. Place small portions in different spots around the home.
• Treat balls and snuffle mats. Start simple and increase the challenge slowly.
• Hand feeding. Offer part of a meal from your hand during play or training.

Use part of the daily food, not extra. Count the calories toward the day's total. Ask your vet how much your cat should eat.

Climbing and perches

Cats feel safer when they can see from above. A cat tree, shelves or a clear top of a bookcase will give your cat height. Make sure the base is stable and the perches are big enough to lie on. Add a window perch where the cat can watch birds, weather and the street. A bird feeder outside a secure window is a cheap form of television.

Provide more than one route, so a cat can leave a spot without passing another cat. In a house with several cats, vertical space helps them share.

Scratching, hiding and rest

Place a scratching post near where your cat sleeps and near the entrance of a room. Choose one tall enough for the cat to stretch fully and stable enough not to tip. Offer vertical and horizontal surfaces, since cats differ in preference. Use rope, cardboard, wood or rough fabric.

Offer hiding spots. A cardboard box, a covered bed, a tunnel or a shelf under a table gives a cat privacy. Keep some of them off the floor.

Put soft beds in warm, quiet places away from noise and doors. Cats may move from bed to bed through the day, so offer several.

Smell, sound and sight

• Cat-safe plants. Grow cat grass or catnip. Check any other plant for toxicity first. Lilies are very dangerous to cats.
• Scents. Many cats enjoy catnip, silvervine or honeysuckle, though not all cats respond. Offer a small amount now and then.
• Sounds. Soft music or nature recordings suit some cats. Do not leave the sound loud.
• Sights. A video of birds or fish shown on a tablet is a short treat for some cats. Do not rely on it.
• New objects. An empty paper bag with the handles cut off, a cardboard box or a crumpled paper ball can entertain a cat for a while. Supervise play with bags.

Time with you

Give your cat regular, calm time with you. Let it choose how much. Stroke where the cat enjoys it, often the cheeks, chin and base of the ears. Stop when the cat moves away. Train simple tricks with treats, or teach the cat to use a harness. Training is mentally tiring and a good bond-builder.

Common mistakes

• Offering toys that are too large or too small.
• Leaving the same toys out all the time.
• Expecting a cat to play alone for the whole day.
• Using string or small parts without supervision.
• Giving up on play when a cat does not respond at first. Try different speeds and toys.
• Overfeeding because the cat is bored.
• Moving a scratching post to a distant corner.
• Overlooking pain. A cat that stops playing may be in pain or unwell.

When to call a vet or get help

A sudden drop in play, a change in behavior or a new habit should prompt a call to your vet, especially in an older cat. See your vet if your cat:

• Hides more than usual, or stops using its favorite perch.
• Jumps less, or cries when picked up.
• Over-grooms or pulls out fur.
• Eats less or drinks more.
• Becomes aggressive without a clear cause.
• Strains in the litter box or passes little urine. A male cat doing this needs a vet at once.
• Eats string, thread or other objects, vomits repeatedly, or stops eating after play.

Ask a qualified cat behaviorist for help if problems continue after you have added enrichment.

Summary

• Offer short play sessions two to four times a day, ending with a catch and a meal.
• Add height, hiding places, scratching surfaces and window views.
• Make some meals work using puzzles.
• Rotate toys and keep string toys out of reach.
• A sudden change in play or behavior is a reason to see a vet.