Cats are often considered low-energy, low-maintenance pets, but they need enrichment to reach their full potential. Indoor cats, in particular, can get bored, and without adequate physical and mental stimulation, they can suffer from not just boredom but anxiety, too. Here’s what you need to know to spot the sometimes subtle signs of kitty boredom and the best methods for keeping cats entertained.
Signs of Boredom in Cats
- Excessive grooming: Cats spend up to half their waking hours grooming, but they’re not just trying to stay clean. Grooming also helps them calm anxiety and self-regulate. If your cat is overgrooming and developing bald spots or irritated patches, they might be bored or anxious.
- Changes in eating: Eating too much or too little can indicate that your cat is unhappy. This can be due to physical or emotional issues, so schedule a vet visit to rule out health issues before adding a few boredom busters to the daily routine.
- Excess sleeping: Cats tend to sleep up to 16 hours a day, but if your cat is sleeping more than usual, they could be bored and might benefit from more activity.
- Destructive or attention-seeking behavior: Bored Cats tend to find their own activities, like shredding furniture, pulling up carpet, or chewing on chargers. They might also demand your attention in unwanted ways, like head-butting your phone, caterwauling while you’re sleeping, or napping on your keyboard.
- Lack of interest in toys and games: Just like humans tend to lose interest in favorite activities when feeling down, cats can lose interest in favorite things when they’re bored. They might pace or hide beneath furniture to attack passing feet and legs, or they might avoid toys and attempt to play with hands, hair ties, or other objects instead.
Boredom Busters for Indoor Kitties
Life doesn’t need to be tedious for your tabbies. With a little creativity, keeping cats entertained, healthy, and happy can be part of your daily routine.
Start with interactive toys that trigger your kitty’s hunting instincts. These can include wand toys with feathers or wriggling worms, puzzle toys, and snuffle mats that make them work for treats. Rotate toys regularly and incorporate new games periodically to keep the games fresh, fun, and exciting. You want predictability to be part of your routine rather than your playtime.
While you can add toys your cat can use alone, cats also enjoy playing and bonding with their people. Try to spend a little time every day playing with your cat using spring toys, wand toys, crinkle balls, laser pointers, and other interactive toys. Your cat will love the one-on-one attention, and you’ll benefit from that strengthened bond. Make your daily play time part of your cat’s routine, and they’ll look forward to it as much as they do other parts of their routine, like mealtime and bedtime.
Indoor cats of all ages benefit from a “catified” environment. Even if your home is small, you can add vertical space for your cat to climb, like shelves or walkways. Try adding cat trees, cat stairs or ladders, and perches. You might also consider adding an enclosed outdoor “catio” where your indoor cat can safely enjoy outdoor time. Otherwise, a sunny window perch can still grant them a great view while the opened – but screened – window gives them plenty of fresh breezes to sniff.
If your concern is that your kitty will be bored in your absence, we can help. At Cozy Cat Suites cat boarding, we’re your cat’s home away from home. Whether you’re going to be away for a day or two or longer, we’ve got spacious suites to accommodate your cat or cats. You’ll never need to leave your cat to their own devices and boredom. Instead, check out our adorably themed suites, carefully designed to appeal to cats and their people with features that keep them active and engaged. You’ll have 24/7 webcam access, and we’ll take care of food, water, and clean litter throughout their stay, making sure your kitty is loved and cared for just like they would be at home. Check us out online and book your furry friend’s cat boarding stay today!
