Top Enrichment Tips for Indoor Cats

Like humans, it’s great for cats to have enrichment activities and toys to keep them occupied and happy. Even if your cat stays indoors, there are still plenty of ways to enrich their (nine) lives!

Here are some of our favorite ideas:

• Give them a spot near a window: just because you have an indoor cat doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy watching what’s going on outside.
• Cat trees: these give cats the opportunity to climb, scratch, and jump.
• Regular play: playtime isn’t just for cats! Get involved and enjoy some playtime with them by trying some wand toys or laser pointers. Pro tip: make sure to let your cat “catch” the laser dot at some point during play to give them the satisfaction of a successful “hunt!”
• Teach your cat tricks: not all cats want to learn tricks, but you’ll never know if you don’t try. There are a few simple tricks that cats can learn if they’re interested. Check out this post on teaching your cat how to play fetch!
• Puzzle toys: these are toys that have slots for cat kibble or treats that encourage the cat to “solve the puzzle” and hunt for the food in the toy to find it.

Making your own puzzle toys for your cats

You don’t have to go to the pet store and spend a lot of money to get puzzle toys for your cats. There are plenty of toys you can make just using things you already have at home.

• If you have a plastic water bottle: cut holes in the bottle just large enough for a piece of kibble or a treat to fit through so that your cat can play with the water bottle and roll it around to get the food or treats out.
• If you have an egg carton: put food or treats in the slots in an empty carton and cover them with toys.
• If you have toilet paper rolls and a shoe box: stand the rolls up in the shoe box and put treats or toys in some so your cat can figure out how to get to them.

Enrichment for senior cats

Even our senior feline friends could use some enrichment to keep them feeling like playful kittens!

Here are some tips especially for senior cats:

• Keep your play on flat, even, stable surfaces so that your cat doesn’t struggle to stay stable during play
• Use a self-play toy that doesn’t move so your cat doesn’t have to work too hard during play
• Make sure your cat has an easy way to get up on their perch to see outside without jumping
• Keep toys close to the ground so your cat doesn’t have to jump high
• Get a cat tunnel or a cat cave is another option for your cat to play at ground level

Ultimately, you know your cat best, so you know if they deal with any particular age-related issues. Always consult your vet if you need help finding ways to keep them active while also making accommodations for their limitations.

But whatever their age, it’s important to incorporate mental and physical stimulation into your cat’s regular routine to keep them happy, healthy and thriving!