A Simple Way to Help Cats: Indoor Enrichment

There are so many ways you can enrich the life of your indoor cat. Every cat is different but try one (or a few) of these options and see which your cat enjoys most.

• Provide cat furniture for climbing, scratching and to give them more vertical space. Is a cat tree out of the budget? Let your cat play with cardboard boxes or a handle-free paper bag.
• Treat your cat to some catnip – buy a toy or take a stab at growing some fresh catnip.
• Place a bird feeder outside a window for some “kitty television.” Bonus: get or make your cat a perch to offer them a better view and a spot to bask in the sun.
• Build a “catio” or cat enclosure so your pet can enjoy the outdoors safely.
• Read to your cat – share one of your current reads with them or have a child read them a favorite book (a great way to gain confidence reading aloud)!
• Clicker train your cat.
• Purchase or make your own food puzzle. Foraging toys like puzzle feeders help satisfy a cat’s instinct to search for food.
• Play with your cat with a wand-toy. Cats also enjoy toys you can find around the house like crumpled paper or a foil ball.

Whatever types of enrichment you choose, be sure to play it safe and supervise your cat with any new toys – string toys should be used only with supervision. And, make sure you are both having fun! Interacting with your cat is a wonderful bonding experience.