Keep Your Cat Happy Indoors
For a variety of reasons, indoor cats typically live significantly longer than outdoor cats. It's also better for all in the community when cats remain inside (especially the wildlife), so we definitely recommend it. Still, indoor spaces lack some of the opportunities for mental and physical enrichment that should be part of every cat's daily routine. The good news is it's pretty easy to compensate! Here's how to keep indoor cats happy and stimulated.
Just have fun
The easiest effort toward keeping your cat mentally and physically healthy is truly just to play together. Daily. Interactive play sessions are the most beneficial, activating your kitty's hunting instincts (exercise and mental stimulation) and strengthening your personal bond. A poor bond can easily bring on increased stress, which can quickly lead to health problems.
Toys that mimic the movement of prey, like feather wands or laser pointers, will do the trick, and simply encouraging and congratulating them along the way makes it a two-player game. You only need to do this for a few minutes at a time—you'll usually find your cat quits around then anyway. Switch up your toys to prevent predictability and keep your cat excited. Their attention spans are kind of like those of toddlers, so keep it fresh and cycle through a handful of options regularly.
When you can't be around or just can't be interactive, leave out engaging toys. Puzzle toys that dispense treats can challenge your cat's problem-solving abilities, keeping her mind active and engaged. Food puzzles simulate her natural hunting process by requiring her to work for food, too. You may be noticing that we keep coming back hunting—that's pretty much your cat's only sporting interest!
Some cats, particularly breeds like Bengals and Siamese, get a kick out of retrieving small toys when thrown. Yep, we're talking about playing fetch. And if you're going to ask how this relates to hunting, consider the habit of outdoor cats bringing small animal captures to their human family as a "gift." It's the same thing here—he's capturing something and presenting it to you. Be grateful, and reinforce the behavior with praise or treats so this turns into a fun activity he wants to replicate.
Spice up your space
Even if you work from home, you can't always be available when your cat wants to play. And, sometimes, your cat just needs to stretch or exercise without playing a game. That's where curated cat furniture comes in.
Providing vertical spaces, like quality cat trees or sturdy cat shelves, allows cats to climb safely and observe their surroundings from a greater height, which is a natural behavior (good for… you guessed it. Hunting!). It also provides a safe space to get away from other pets, small children, or new visitors, and it's a clearly defined space that appeals to her territorial and sometimes possessive nature. All of this builds a sense of security and personal ownership of the space—positive qualities that will help avoid behavioral issues around your home and can impact her health, too.
When shopping for cat furniture like a cat tree, look for elements like height variation, scratching opportunities, play opportunities (hanging toys), and hideouts like built-in caves. Wall-mounted scratching pads also offer appropriate spots for cats to maintenance their claws, mark territory (don't worry, not with anything you can detect), and stretch their muscles. Cats need to scratch, period, so provide a spot or forfeit your furniture.
Window perches are another fab way to give your cat height with a view of the outdoors. Watching birds, squirrels, or the changing scenery can be a great source of mentally stimulating entertainment. You can accomplish this just as easily by putting your cat tree in front of a window or glass door.
Train your cat
Training your cat using positive reinforcement techniques can strengthen your bond and provide tons of mental stimulation. Contrary to popular belief, cats can learn tricks, commands, and even agility training. Mau offers a series of user-friendly cat training guides for basic tricks like sitting and even high-fiving.
Go outside
If your cat really, really wants to go out (especially if your cat previously spent much of her life outside), you have some options. Some cats can be leash-and-harness trained for supervised walks and outdoor play. Keep in mind you're reintroducing some of the health threats responsible for outdoor cats living significantly shorter lives, so be sure your kitty is fully vaccinated and routinely treated for dangers like fleas, ticks, and especially worms. It's recommended to do this even for indoor cats, but definitely do it if you're heading outdoors at all.
A less risky alternative is building a catio if you have the space and ability. Catios can be customized to fit balconies, backyards, or windows, providing fresh air and outdoor sights in an enclosed environment that eliminates most of the risks associated with free-roaming. She's still significantly more exposed to pests in these environments, so keep those vet visits and meds current.
Groom each other
Regular grooming sessions can double as bonding time and enrichment. Brushing your cat not only helps maintain his coat but also mimics the social grooming behavior found in feline colonies. Most cats love being brushed at varying degrees of pressure; your cat will quickly let you know how soft or strong he likes it. If your cat ever tries to lick you, let him. He's grooming you, too, and not because you're dirty but because he loves you. Don't discourage this behavior — you'd essentially be rejecting his love. Aside from being just plain sad, it could also lead to behavioral and stress-related health issues.
Increase your colony
Despite popular belief, cats are not solitary creatures. They're very social, and nearly all cats benefit from living with at least one other cat. Be sure you have the right amount of resources for the size of your cat family, though, including food and water bowls, litter boxes, and sleeping areas that are spaced out to prevent competition and stress.