Final Up to date on: Could 1, 2023 by Crystal Uys
Whereas cats can sleep between 12–16 hours a day, they nonetheless require loads of train and leisure to remain completely happy and forestall boredom. Bored cats and cats that don’t get sufficient train ultimately begin to expertise destructive well being points, together with stress, weight acquire, and melancholy.
Subsequently, it’s vital for indoor cats to have a number of alternatives a day to get some train and leisure. Totally different cats can have totally different preferences on what they discover enjoyable and fascinating. Listed below are some methods you may make your house and your cat’s each day routine extra entertaining and thrilling.
Our 10 Favourite Methods to Entertain Your Indoor Cat:
1. Rotate Their Toys
Whereas it’s good to have your cat play with new toys, shopping for new cat toys can get fairly costly. Thankfully, you may simply purchase a number of toys and rotate them in order that the enjoyable lasts longer. As a substitute of laying out all of the cat toys, simply have one or two out in your cat to play with and retailer the remainder away. After enjoying with the identical toys for a few days, you may substitute them with different toys. This rotation will make the toys really feel like new, and your cat is extra more likely to take pleasure in enjoying with them for longer.
It’s also possible to sprinkle catnip or silvervine on the toys to encourage your cat to play with them. It’s useful to order these treats for sure components of the day in order that your cat has one thing further particular to look ahead to when enjoying with their toys.
2. Cover Meals Across the Home
Cats are obligate carnivores and hunters, so part of their pure intuition is to cover, stalk, and pounce on their prey. They’ve very delicate noses and powerful remark expertise, so offering alternatives that have interaction their senses and searching expertise can forestall boredom. You are able to do this by hiding treats or cat meals round the home.
Distributing meals round the home will encourage cats to scent out and “hunt” for his or her meals. It’s also possible to deal with shelling out toys and conceal some dry cat meals in them. These types of actions present rather more stimulation and pleasure for cats relatively than feeding them their meals in stationary meals bowls.
3. Add a Window Perch
In case your cat doesn’t have a steady space the place they’ll do some window watching, they’ll most definitely respect having a window perch put in. You could find a number of totally different sorts of window perches at various worth factors, so it’s very doable to search out one that matches inside your funds.
Make sure that to put in the window perch on a window that has some motion exterior. Examples of excellent views would come with the yard, close by bushes, or sidewalks with a good stage of foot visitors. Your cat’s curiosity will probably be satiated as they watch all of the motion happening exterior whereas staying safely indoors.
4. Activate Cat TV Reveals
It’s also possible to convey the outside inside by turning on a cat TV present. There are every kind of video clips particularly made for cats that you’ll find on YouTube. These kind of movies will characteristic totally different sorts of issues that may pique your cat’s curiosity.
For instance, you’ll discover many movies with clips and graphics of squiggly worms, mice, and bugs scuttling throughout the display. These movies might also comprise nature noises like fowl whistling. Simply be watchful of your cat once you activate these applications as a result of they could be tempted to pounce in your TV display.
5. Save Cardboard Packing containers
Most cats take pleasure in dim and comfy areas, which is why you’ll discover many cats having enjoyable with cardboard packing containers. So, the subsequent time you obtain a cargo within the mail or end a field of soda cans, save the packing containers and use them as toys in your cat. You’ll be able to even put bedding or pillows contained in the packing containers to make them heat and comfy.
In case you have a number of packing containers, attempt utilizing scissors to chop entrance holes and duct tape to connect them collectively. It’s an incredible low-cost method to construct an entertaining cat condominium or tunnel in your cat to play inside.
6. Create Extra Vertical Areas
Most cat breeds prefer to climb and observe their environment from greater vantage factors. In case you have a smaller residing house, you may make it extra cat pleasant by including extra vertical areas. Vertical areas might be created by putting in cabinets, changing bookcases to cat platforms, or including a cat tree to your house.
Your cat can have enjoyable climbing and leaping from platform to platform, which might even be an incredible type of train for them. As soon as your cat will get used to utilizing its new vertical areas, you too can add cat packing containers and securely connect them to the platform. Your cat will love having new hiding areas and napping spots which might be above the bottom.
7. Set up a Birdfeeder
Putting in a fowl feeder close to a window can even present leisure in your cat. When putting in a fowl feeder, attempt to hold it a number of toes away from the window. This may really feel much less threatening for birds and encourage them to method the birdfeeder. Cats may also benefit from the view higher. Whereas cats have wonderful imaginative and prescient, they’ll’t see as properly up shut and have bother seeing issues which might be inside a foot away from them. They’ll have rather more appreciation for a fowl feeder that’s put in at a distance in order that they’ve a transparent view of all of the motion.
8. Set Up an Out of doors Cat Run
In case you have a yard, it is likely to be useful to arrange an out of doors cat run. Out of doors cat runs are utterly enclosed constructions that additionally typically present platforms for cats to climb on. They’re a protected different to having your cat roaming outdoor and risking them working away.
When utilizing an out of doors cat run, make certain to all the time supervise your cats. Their curiosity could put them in precarious conditions, or they could appeal to different bigger animals to your yard. In case your cat exhibits any signal of misery, take away them from the cat run and produce them again indoors calmly and instantly.
9. Train Your Cat to Stroll on a Leash
In case you have a very courageous, social, and lively cat, they are able to be taught to stroll on a leash. When coaching a cat to stroll on a leash, it’s vital to discover a harness that matches each comfortably and securely. You’ll have to begin with getting your cat used to carrying a harness earlier than attaching the leash. Use loads of treats to reward your cat each time they arrive close to the harness or are carrying it. Finally, you’ll be capable to connect a leash and stroll your cat outdoor.
Begin by strolling your cat in an space that’s near your house. You can begin to develop your vary as your cat turns into extra comfy. Simply take into account that strolling a cat may be very totally different from strolling a canine. Your cat isn’t more likely to stroll by your facet. So, happening walks together with your cat will look extra like having your cat on a leash and permitting them to discover their environment.
10. Introduce Your Cat to New Buddies
Some cats have extra social personalities and don’t thoughts assembly new folks or residing with one other cat. When you discover that your cat is feeling bored, it’s possible you’ll wish to take into account bringing house a brand new playmate. Nevertheless, it’s vital to make sure that your cat has a social character and likes being round different cats. Bringing house a brand new cat to reside with an introverted cat can find yourself inflicting extra misery and points throughout the house.
Cats can typically be extra comfy round folks than different cats. If so, invite pals over in order that your cat can obtain extra consideration. It could even be useful to ask pals to look at your cat or rent a cat sitter in the event you plan to be away from house for lengthy hours in order that your cat isn’t alone and feeling anxious or bored.
Conclusion
There are many issues that you are able to do to convey extra leisure in your cat into your house. Making changes, like putting in a window perch or hiding treats round the home, could make a world of distinction in your cat.
So, in the event you discover that your cat is feeling bored or has pent-up vitality, attempt making some changes to your house or their each day routine to include extra stimulating actions. Your cat will you should definitely respect the new enrichment actions, and these new additions will solely assist create and keep a cheerful and peaceable house for you and your cat.
Featured Picture Credit score: Boyloso, Shutterstock
Concerning the writer
Cat mother to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that’s her one and solely baby. For now! All through her life, she has been launched to the particular love that may be discovered within the bond with a cat. Having owned a number of felines, she is greater than sure that their love is unmatched, unconditional and in contrast to some other. With a ardour to coach the general public about every thing, there may be to learn about felines, their conduct, and their distinctive personalities, Crystal is devoted to creating certain that every one cats and their homeowners know the significance of aware residing – and loving!
