Indoor cat enrichment: keeping your cat happy at home

Why enrichment matters for indoor cats

Keeping a cat indoors can protect them from traffic and some other risks, but it also removes many of the things cats naturally do: stalking, chasing, climbing, patrolling and scratching. Without outlets for these behaviours, some indoor cats become bored, inactive, overweight or stressed.

The good news is that enrichment does not need to be expensive. It is mostly about understanding what cats like to do and giving them safe ways to do it.

Play sessions

Play is the closest most indoor cats get to hunting. Cats tend to hunt in short bursts, so several brief sessions through the day usually work better than one long one.

• Aim for a few sessions of around five to fifteen minutes, adjusting to your cat's age and interest.
• Use wand toys, feathers on a string or small toys you can move like prey.
• Make the toy behave like a mouse or bird: hide it behind furniture, let it dart away, pause, then move again.
• Let your cat catch the toy regularly, so the game is satisfying.
• End each session with a final catch, then offer a small meal or treat. This mirrors the hunt, catch, eat pattern.

Many cats are most playful around dawn and dusk. Laser pointers can be fun but can frustrate some cats because there is nothing to catch, so finish with a real toy they can grab. Put wand toys away after use, as string can be dangerous if swallowed.

Rotate toys so they stay interesting. A toy that has been put away for a week often feels new again.

Vertical space

Cats feel safer when they can watch the room from above, and climbing is good exercise.

• Offer cat trees, wall shelves or cleared spaces on top of sturdy furniture.
• Make sure there are routes up and down, especially for older cats.
• Provide hiding places too, such as covered beds or cardboard boxes.

In multi-cat homes, extra high spots and hiding places can help reduce tension by letting cats keep their distance.

Scratching posts

Scratching is a normal behaviour that keeps claws in condition, stretches muscles and leaves scent marks. Giving your cat good places to scratch protects your furniture.

• Choose posts that are tall enough for your cat to stretch fully and heavy enough not to wobble.
• Offer both upright posts and horizontal scratchers, as cats have different preferences.
• Sisal rope, sisal fabric and cardboard are popular surfaces.
• Place scratchers near sleeping spots and in prominent areas of the home, as many cats scratch after waking.
• Reward your cat for using them, and gently redirect if they scratch furniture.

Puzzle feeders and foraging

Making your cat work a little for food adds interest and slows down fast eaters.

• Start with simple puzzle feeders or treat balls so your cat succeeds quickly.
• Hide small portions of dry food around the home for your cat to find.
• Use egg boxes or toilet roll tubes as homemade puzzles.
• Use part of the daily food allowance rather than adding extra.

Introduce puzzles gradually and make sure your cat is still eating enough overall, particularly if they find the puzzle frustrating.

Safe window watching

Watching birds, people and passing traffic can keep a cat entertained for hours.

• Provide a comfortable perch or shelf by a window.
• Make sure windows are secure, with screens or restrictors if they open. Falls from windows and balconies can cause serious injuries.
• A bird feeder placed within sight, but away from the window, can add interest. Some cats find seeing other cats outside stressful, so watch how yours reacts.

A secure, enclosed outdoor area or cat-proofed garden can also be a good option if you have one, but keep it safe from escape and toxic plants.

Litter tray basics

Good litter tray set-up is essential for an indoor cat and can prevent many toileting problems.

Tip	Why it helps
A common guide is one tray per cat, plus one extra	Reduces competition and gives choice
Place trays in quiet spots, away from food and water	Cats prefer privacy and do not like to toilet near where they eat
Spread trays around the home rather than side by side	Side-by-side trays may be treated as one
Scoop at least once a day, and wash trays regularly	Many cats avoid a dirty tray
Use a large tray and a litter your cat likes	Some cats dislike scented litter or covered trays

If you want to change litter type, do it gradually. Sudden changes in toilet habits, straining, or going outside the tray can be signs of a health problem, so do not assume it is behavioural.

Keeping indoor cats at a healthy weight

Indoor cats often move less than outdoor cats, which makes weight gain more likely. Regular play helps, but food is the main lever.

• Weigh food portions rather than estimating, and follow the guidance on the food packaging as a starting point.
• Count treats as part of the daily allowance.
• Offer food in several smaller portions or through puzzle feeders rather than leaving a full bowl down all day, if this suits your cat.
• Check your cat's body condition regularly by feeling their ribs and looking at their waist.

The tools on the Petopedia calculators page can give a rough daily calorie estimate, and our healthy weight and body condition guide explains how to assess your cat's shape. Petopedia also lets you log weight over time, so slow changes are easier to see. Make sure fresh water is always available; our guide to how much water a cat should drink has tips for encouraging drinking.

Signs of boredom or stress

Every cat is different, so learn what is normal for yours. Possible signs that your cat needs more enrichment, or is stressed, include:

• Overgrooming, sometimes leaving thin or bald patches
• Scratching furniture or walls more than usual
• Toileting outside the tray
• Night-time yowling or restless pacing
• Attention-seeking, or ambushing people's feet
• Withdrawing, hiding more or sleeping much more than usual
• Overeating or loss of appetite

Many of these can also be caused by medical problems, so it is worth ruling those out before assuming boredom is the reason.

When to talk to your vet

Contact your vet if your cat's behaviour changes suddenly, if they strain in the litter tray or pass little or no urine (this can be an emergency, particularly in male cats), if they overgroom to the point of bald patches, or if they gain or lose weight without explanation. Your vet can also help if you are struggling with tension between cats in the home.