Indoor cats need daily stimulation and entertainment. To ensure your cat stays healthy and happy, you need to find ways to keep your indoor cat entertained. You may be at home, at work, or away from home.
In this article, I’ll explore ways and show you how to entertain indoor cats. I will provide tips to make playtime fun and games both you and your cat can have fun with.
Get ready to learn how to create an entertaining home environment and keep your indoor cat happy.
Are your indoor cats alone at home? How well are your cats entertaining themselves? Maybe you are at work or away for a few days.
Consider hiring a pet sitter to just check in on your cats or ask a family member.
It may put your mind at ease to know that someone has checked that everything is okay with your cats.
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Ideas For Mental and Physical Stimulation
In cats, playtime mimics hunting. Cats need to play indoors as they don’t hunt.
Here are some activities to ensure your cat gets enough exercise and entertainment:
Interactive Toys
Feather wands and laser pointers can provide physical stimulation for your cat.
A puzzle feeder will provide physical stimulation and mental stimulation. It is a search and reward activity. The cat has to work out how the puzzle feeder works to get the reward.
Make sure the treats are healthy treats.
Hide cat treats that you know your cats like to give them an incentive to work out how the puzzle works.
An interactive toy will encourage your cat to chase, jump, and play, which is great exercise and so much fun.
Rotate the toys regularly to entertain your cat.
Some examples of puzzle feeders and interactive toys.
Scratching Posts
Scratching is a natural behavior for cats.
Providing a scratching post or pad helps meet this need while also giving your cat a physical outlet.
Scratching posts also help keep your cat’s claws healthy.
A scratching post can be a sisal structure or a post covered in carpet. That is what we commonly see in stores and use for our cats.
There are some excellent cat scratchers made from corrugated cardboard.
Cat Run Or Catio
Do you have the opportunity to have a cat run at your place?
It allows the cat to move outdoors, within a controlled, confined area. It gives the cat safe access to the great outdoors while remaining safe from the perils of being outside.
Aivituvin Catio – Outdoor Cat Enclosure Large Walk in Platforms
This enclosure is deluxe. It has so many amazing features. Connecting to the cat door or a window is a huge plus. Your cat can come and go as he pleases. The asphalt roof makes it weather proof.
Some cat runs, like the one above allow the cat access from the inside of the house to the outside of the house.
A cat run gives the cat the benefits of being outside without any of the associated dangers.
Climbing Structures
Cats love to climb. Providing your cat with a tall cat tree can give them the opportunity to climb. Cat trees come in many different sizes to suit one elderly cat or several active cats.
Wall shelves that also incorporate steps are fantastic for cats to leap around out of harm’s way.
This also provides a vantage point for them to watch over their domain.
Playtime with Owners
Spending time playing with your cat is a great way to bond with your cat. It also provides an opportunity for physical activity.
Play with your cat and with his toys. Give him plenty of positive reinforcement and praise when he engages in the activity.
Catwalks
Is there a DIYer at your place? Make a catwalk or elevated platform on which your cat can climb and jump from one piece of furniture to another. If not there are structures like these that can be purchased.
It will be a challenge for them to explore the area while keeping them engaged.
Window Watching
Cats love to watch birds and other animals outside. Providing them with a window perch is actually cat heaven.
Bear in mind that a window perch in summer may be too hot if the window receives direct sunlight.
Consider A Companion
If possible, consider adopting a second cat as a feline companion for your cat.
Make sure to introduce them slowly and supervise their interactions.
By providing your cat with these activities and opportunities, you can ensure they get enough physical stimulation while staying safe and happy inside your home.
DIY Activities To Keep Cats Entertained?
Make An Indoor Gym
Make an indoor gym for your cat inside your home. You can create tunnels and hiding spots, and use various toys to encourage them to move around the space.
The beauty of this idea is that you can change to structure by adding boxes, creating tunnels and places to hide.
Put cardboard boxes around the room for a great way to keep your cat entertained and encourage exploration.
An empty cardboard box can be filled with balls or other small toys. Add a comfy chair pad or two. Love the hole cut in the box below.
Paper carrier bags that re large enough for the cat to explore can also provide a lot of fun. Keep an eye out for the bags that have some stiffness to the paper quality.
These bags are more likely to remain open for the cat to explore as compared to flimsy paper bags.
A scratching post is one of the easiest ways to keep your cats entertained while indoors.
This can be done by simply attaching rope, carpet, or sisal fabric around a cardboard tube or post.
When To Change The Cat Toys To Keep Your Cat Entertained?
It’s a good idea to change your indoor cat’s activities and cat toys regularly to keep them engaged and mentally stimulated.
The frequency at which you should do this can vary based on your cat’s individual needs and preferences, but a general guideline is to switch things up every few weeks.
Here are a few ideas for keeping your cat engaged with new activities and toys
- Rotate their toys – Indoor cats can get bored with the same toys over time. Rotate through the different cat’s toys to keep them interested.
You can also try hiding cat toys around the house for your cat to discover. - Introduce new food puzzles – A puzzle feeder can be a great way to engage your cat’s hunting instincts and keep them mentally stimulated.
Cats are natural born hunters so introducing a new puzzle feeder every few weeks will keep the cat occupied. - Play new games: Try out different types of games with your cat, such as laser pointers or wand toys.
Experiment to see what your cat likes best. - Create new spaces: Cats love exploring new spaces, so try creating new hiding spots or perches for your cat to discover.
You can also try rearranging their existing toys and furniture to create a new environment.
Overall, the key is to pay attention to your cat’s behavior and adjust their routine as needed to keep them happy and engaged.
Make Sure Your Cat Is Not Too Stimulated And Stressed?
While it’s important to keep your indoor cat entertained and mentally stimulated, it’s equally important to ensure that they are not overstimulated and stressed.
Try playing this music for your indoor cat. It will entertain them and hopefully reduce anxiety and be calming for your cats.
Find the right balance between stimulation and relaxation for your indoor cat.
By paying attention to your cat’s behavior and providing a calm, comfortable environment, you can help ensure that they are happy, healthy, and stress-free.
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Offer Gentle Playtime For Old Cats
While playtime is important for cats of all ages, older or disabled cats may have limited mobility and energy.
Offer gentle playtime with toys that don’t require too much movement, such as wand toys or puzzle feeders.
You may find as we always did that our elderly cat seemed to get a new lease of life when he was having a gentle play with family members.
Overall, by making a few adjustments to your home and lifestyle, you can help your indoor elderly or disabled cat live a comfortable and happy life.
Multiple Cats In The House And They Have Different Preferences?
If you have multiple indoor cats in the house and they have different preferences, it can be challenging to keep everyone happy.
Offer Variety
While each cat may have their own preferences, it’s important to offer a variety of toys, games, and activities to keep everyone engaged and stimulated.
Rotate through different types of toys and games to keep things interesting.
Create Separate Play Areas
If your cats have different play styles or preferences, consider creating separate play areas for each cat. This can help prevent competition and allow each cat to play in their own way.
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Do Cats Get Bored In Apartments?
Cats can get bored in apartments if they do not have enough mental and physical stimulation. It is important to keep them engaged and entertained to prevent boredom, which can lead to destructive behavior, anxiety, and other health issues.
Here are some signs that your cat may be bored:
Destructive Behavior
If your cat is scratching furniture or carpets, knocking things over, or getting into things they shouldn’t, it may be a sign that they are bored and looking for something to do.
Excessive Sleeping
While cats sleep a lot naturally, if your cat seems to be sleeping more than usual, it could be a sign of boredom. A bored cat is often lethargic and has a lack of interest in activities.
Increased Vocalization
Some bored cats will become more vocal and look for attention or something to do.
Overeating
Boredom can lead to overeating, which can contribute to weight gain and health problems.
Hiding Or Avoiding Interaction
If your cat seems to be hiding more or avoiding interaction with you, it could be a sign of boredom or depression.
Keeping an indoor cat entertained can be a challenging but rewarding experience.
By providing your feline friend with plenty of opportunities for play, exercise, and mental stimulation, you can help them live a happy and healthy life indoors.
Some great ways to keep your cat entertained include providing them with plenty of toys, setting up climbing structures or a cat tower, hiding treats or food puzzles around the house, and playing interactive games with them.
You can also try creating a safe outdoor space, such as a catio, to give your cat a taste of the outdoors without exposing them to potential dangers.
With a little creativity and effort, you can help your indoor cat thrive and enjoy their life to the fullest
