Let's Talk About: Indoor Cat Enrichment

Often indoor cats can suffer from boredom, inactivity and lack of stimulation and this can lead to the development of health related problems like obesity, stress and anxiety, behavioural problems, cognitive decline and physical decline. 

Cats can show stress in different ways: some will over-groom themselves leading to fur loss, other will show abnormal urination patters (urinating outside the litter box, urinating on furniture, discomfort urinating), others will meow excessively or claw furniture, while others opt for hiding or showing aggression to other pets in the house. 

We have some easy suggestions that can significantly impact your indoor cats quality of life. 

1. Provide elevated resting places and perches: cats love elevated places and feel safer there. Non slip shelves, window perches (they love them!), cat towers and tress are also a good option. 

2. Provide several scratch post stations: even if your cat does not seem keen on them, it is a good idea to have a couple different scratching options around the house, some prefer rope textures, others cardboard, and others natural wood.

3. Hide treats around the house and encourage your cat to find them: start with easy places and as they get used to the game, you can increase the level of difficulty. This game stimulates their sense of smell and brain activity

4. Plant a cat safe indoor plant: Cat grass benefits your cat by aiding in digestion and clearing hairballs, provides essential nutrients and offers environmental enrichment by bringing a bit of the outdoors inside.

5. Play with them 15-30 mins twice daily and rotate different toys. Positive human interactions are crucial to keep your cat happy. 

6. Set up DIY stations with leftover cardboard boxes or paper bags to provide novelty and encourage exploring behaviours.