How to Keep an Indoor Cat Happy & Entertained

Cats may have a reputation for being perfectly happy sleeping the day away, but between those naps they need opportunities to play, explore and use their natural instincts.

For indoor cats in particular, a little thought about their environment can make everyday life much more interesting. The good news is that keeping a cat entertained doesn't have to mean filling your home with expensive equipment.

Make time for interactive play

Playing together is one of the easiest ways to add activity and variety to your cat's day.

Wand and teaser toys are particularly useful because they allow you to move the toy in ways that mimic the unpredictable movements of prey.

Try moving the toy along the floor, around furniture or briefly out of sight rather than simply waving it directly in front of your cat.

Short, regular play sessions can often be more engaging than leaving every toy available all day.

Let them chase and pounce

Chasing, stalking and pouncing are natural feline behaviours, and toys provide an opportunity for cats to express them safely indoors.

Balls, toy mice and other small toys that move when batted can encourage independent play, while interactive toys give you the chance to join in.

Every cat has their own preferences. Some love chasing something across the floor; others would much rather sit behind a chair waiting for the perfect moment to ambush a feather.

Rotate their toys

One simple trick is not to leave every toy out all the time.

Cats can become accustomed to toys that are permanently available, so try keeping a few away and swapping them periodically.

Something they ignored a couple of weeks ago can suddenly become fascinating again when it reappears.

It also means you don't necessarily need an enormous toy collection to give your cat some variety.

Try catnip

Many cats enjoy catnip toys, although not every cat responds to catnip in the same way.

Some become playful and energetic, while others become relaxed. Some cats aren't particularly interested at all.

If your cat enjoys it, catnip-filled toys can be another easy way to introduce something different to playtime.

Give them places to explore

Enrichment isn't only about toys.

Cats naturally enjoy climbing, observing and finding comfortable places where they feel secure. Window ledges, cat trees, scratching posts and safe elevated spots can all make an indoor environment more interesting.

Even something as simple as a cardboard box can become today's most important piece of furniture.

Don't forget scratching

Scratching is normal cat behaviour. It helps cats maintain their claws, stretch and leave scent and visual marks in their environment.

Providing appropriate scratching surfaces can give them somewhere suitable to do it — and may make your sofa slightly less interesting.

Different cats can prefer different materials and orientations, so you may need to experiment with vertical and horizontal scratching surfaces.

Make everyday life interesting

Small changes can make a difference.

A new box to investigate, moving a favourite bed to a sunny window, hiding a few treats for them to discover or spending ten minutes playing with a feather wand can all add variety to an indoor cat's day.

At Nose & Whisker, we've chosen a mixture of cat toys and everyday essentials that make it easy to introduce a little more play into their routine.

Because whether it's an elaborate new toy or the cardboard box it arrived in, a curious cat will usually find a way to make their own entertainment.