Cats may nap 18 hours a day, but the other six? They’re plotting. Indoor life keeps them safe, but it can also get a little dull. One day, they’re sprinting laps around the house, and the next, they’re staring at their self-cleaning litter box like it’s performance art.
The good news is that it doesn’t take much to make your cat’s world much more interesting. Whether you’ve got a high-energy kitten or a senior cat who only moves for treats, here are some fun, simple ways to shake things up and keep them happily stimulated indoors.
If every single toy is on the floor all the time, nothing feels exciting. Cats get bored with the same stuff just like we do. Instead, keep a few out and rotate them every few days. Suddenly, that crusty old feather wand is their favorite toy again.
A good mix to have on hand is something chaseable, something pounceable, and something with catnip. If your cat gets bored easily, stash their toys in a sealed container with a little dried catnip between uses. It’s like marinating them in fun.
Not everyone has space — or the budget — for a six-foot tower covered in beige carpet. That’s totally fine. Your cat doesn’t care what it looks like, they just want to be up high. Try moving a bookshelf next to a window, adding a floating shelf or two, or clearing space on top of the fridge.
Even a sturdy box next to the couch can create a mini jungle-gym moment. Cats love variety, and anything that gives them options to perch, jump, or survey their domain = enrichment gold.
If you give your cat the setup, they could stare outside for hours. A soft blanket, window perch, and some action outside, like a bird feeder or squirrel-friendly tree, can make all the difference. It doesn’t need to be fancy. A folded towel on the sill works great.
If your windows aren’t cat-accessible, try a suction-cup perch or even push a chair nearby and toss a pillow on it. Once they realize it’s their new watchtower, they’ll be glued to it like it’s HBO.
Cats aren’t meant to eat from a bowl and then do nothing all day. They’re wired to hunt, pounce, and earn their food. That’s where food puzzles come in — they turn mealtime into something interactive and mentally stimulating.
You can grab a treat ball or slow feeder online, or go full DIY with an egg carton, muffin tin, or toilet paper rolls taped together with treats inside. For kibble-fed cats, it’s a super easy way to make feeding time more fun. And if your cat’s the “knock everything off the counter for sport” type? This gives them something better to do.
If your cat’s acting wild for no reason at 3 p.m. (or 3 a.m.), they probably just need more dedicated play. Five minutes here and there is fine, but scheduling one or two short sessions a day? It’s a total game-changer. Think of it as their workout, but you’re holding the feather wand.
Try playing right before mealtime to tap into that hunt-then-eat instinct. Use a string toy, laser pointer, or anything they can chase. Switch it up so they don’t predict your moves. And always let them “win” at the end so they don’t walk away salty.
There’s a reason your cat ignores the $40 toy in favor of the Amazon box it came in — boxes are peak enrichment. They’re hiding spots, tunnels, jungle gyms, and chew toys all in one. Honestly, boxes are doing more for the cat community than most tech startups.
Cut holes in the sides, flip them upside down, or stack a few together. When you get creative, it’s fun for you and your cat! Rotate them like toys and toss in a crinkle ball or sprinkle of catnip to keep it interesting.
As a bonus, they’re free, and cleaning them up just means tossing them in recycling with zero effort.
If your cat scarfs down food like they’re in a competition, spreading out mealtime can help. Hide small portions of dry food in different spots around the house or use multiple small bowls in different rooms. It keeps them moving, thinking, and gives them something to do that doesn’t involve unrolling your toilet paper.
This “foraging” style of feeding taps into natural instincts and works especially well for cats who eat out of boredom. Plus, it’s fun watching them become little food detectives sniffing their way through the living room like it’s a scavenger hunt.
It’s really that easy to keep your cat’s brain busy and boredom at bay! You don’t need a total home makeover or a toy haul the size of a toddler’s.
A few thoughtful swaps, some creativity, and a little daily playtime can make all the difference. Bored cat? Not on your watch.
