5 Ways To Keep Your Indoor Cat Happy

Cat owners know their specific cat’s personality better than they know themselves. Whether you have a sassy tabby, a coy calico, or a talented tuxedo, all cat owners want is to make their feline friends happy. Keeping your cats indoors protects them from outside dangers, but it comes with a few drawbacks. The main issue is boredom and lack of novelty. Indoor cats require exercise and playtime, in addition to their daily naps. Due to limited roaming territory, living indoors can produce boredom and anxiety for cats. Introducing new toys, games and food can satisfy their animal instincts and prevent depressed moods. 

I’ve curated a small list of ways to make your indoor cat happy. 

1. Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation

A bored cat is an unhappy cat. Indoor cats that are not offered proper stimulation can quickly become stressed and destructive. A bored cat may chew on furniture, scratch and climb sofas and curtains, and begin to make up their own games (biting owner’s hands and feet or launching at passerby from hiding places). Errant behavior can be deterred by providing indoor toys, games and hiding places.

I have listed common cat toys below:

• Cat wands: These can be used for stimulation and exercise. Even shy felines will come out from hiding places to play. This can also be a way to bond with your cat through play.
•  Laser Pointers: For high energy cats, laser pointers can provide a high paced chase that young cats crave. The uncatchable laser will stump them and provide hilarious entertainment for owners. 
• Automated Toys: Certain toys can be automated and set with a timer to stimulate a cat while you are away. Some automated toys include remote controlled mice and cat wands. 
  
  

 Puzzle feeder toys can be found at pet stores and can stimulate hunting and problem solving behaviors. Simply purchase healthy cat treats and fill the puzzles. Introduce your cat to the toy, maybe even allow them to watch as you fill the puzzle with goodies so they understand the game. For cats who have never used a puzzle feeder, purchase easier puzzles so they are not discouraged or become tired of solving. If a puzzle feeder is not an option, consider adding variety to meal times. Offer chicken or fish as a special treat. Organize a treasure hunt with easy to find chicken to satisfy the cat's instinctual hunting behavior. 

Cats are natural born climbers. These behaviors can be satisfied by providing cat trees and shelves for them to perch on. Placement of perches is crucial to their health, so choose a place that is safe and provides satisfactory views from above.

Consider placing  cat trees or perches near an open window. Placing bird feeders outside a window for kitties to watch will provide them with hours of stimulation.

Felines also prefer to live in small dens when outdoors. Something as simple as a cardboard box with a hole cut in the side will provide a safe hiding place for your cat. You can also purchase tunnels and tents from pet stores. This will also deter them from choosing hiding places under your furniture and prevent future ambushes! 

2. Hygiene

Indoor cats require a clean, private litter box to maintain their health. Place litter boxes away from noisy areas and be sure to clean the litter box daily.

My cat prefers a specific kind of litter, so I only purchase that brand. Changing anything around the litter box, such as litter type, placing a new mat or changing the style and shape of the litter tray can cause your cat to reject the bathroom spot. Be sure to experiment and stick to whatever your cat prefers. 

If you have multiple furry friends, remember this rule : 1 litter box per cat. Any less and this could create territorial issues and litter box anxiety in one or more of your cats. Be sure to fill up the litter boxes, but not too much. About 2-3 inches of litter is sufficient. Any less than this and they may seek another place to urinate. Thoroughly clean the box at least once a month with vinegar and rinse with water to keep the tray clean. Fill with fresh litter after cleaning. 

Bathing your cat isn’t usually necessary unless they are literally covered in dirt. Cats are self-grooming and would prefer to have their natural scent. Also, bathing can trigger distress in cats and it can leave a negative impact on your bond with them.

Some cats are obese and cannot clean their bodies properly, or are too elderly or young to wash themselves. In these cases, a baby wipe will suffice. If you absolutely must bathe them, be sure to use pet safe, unscented soaps. Prepare a small tub of warm water beforehand so they don’t hear a running tub. Clean your cat’s face with a damp washcloth, and massage their body with the soap. Rinse carefully and provide lots of towels for drying their fur.  Be sure to trim your cat's nails regularly and check their ears for mites and wax buildup. 

Ear cleaners and nail trimmers for cats can be purchased at a veterinary clinic or pet store. 

3. Pet Grass

My cat loves the springtime because I begin to plant her favorite treat: cat grass. Pet grass can be grown at home from seed in small 6-8” pots with potting soil. Or you can plant a whole flat tray of the grass for your cat to lay on! You can also find fully grown pet grass in pet stores or garden centers. 

Pet grass provides novelty and a diet boost. Pet grass contains folic acid and fiber that may be missing from your cat’s store bought food. Although the fiber is necessary for your cat’s diet, be sure to limit their consumption. Some kitties can’t help but gorge themselves on treats. If this sounds like your cat, make sure you monitor their consumption of pet grass and take it away as needed. 

4. Scratching Stations

Scratching is instinctual and necessary for cats. Cats have scent glands in their paw pads, interdigital glands, that release pheromones when they scratch. These glands allow them to mark their territory. Familiar scents make cats feel comfortable and safe in their environment.  

Another benefit of scratching is that it allows them to shed the outer layer of claws. Regular shedding promotes healthy nail growth.

Below are some must haves when choosing a scratching post:

Materials: Corrugated cardboard makes for great scratching posts, as cats love that they can shred the paper with their claws. Sisal and Burlap fabrics on sturdy posts will stimulate your cat as well.

 Choose posts with material that is very different from your current carpeting and furnishings. Kitties might not be able to tell the difference between what is acceptable to scratch and what is not. Avoid scratching posts with rope, as these can catch your cat’s claws and harm them. Also, they won’t be able to shred the rope like they can with fabrics.

Shape: Cat scratch posts come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Cats tend to prefer vertical posts that they can drag their claws down as if it were a tree. But, horizontal posts are fine as well. Some cat trees and play structures come with built in scratching posts, but be sure to provide additional scratching options as they will tire of the same posts quickly. Scratching station must be sturdy and immobile. This will ensure the post won’t fall over on your cat. 

To provide enrichment, change the placement of scratching posts. If your cat is still scratching your furniture, Encourage scratching on designated posts with treats. 

5. Pet fountains

Indoor cats do not have much variety in their routines and adding a water fountain to their play areas can give them the novelty they seek. 

A pet fountain is a fantastic addition to your cat’s life as it encourages drinking a healthy amount of water. Cats naturally prefer a stream of fresh running water, over still water in a bowl.  Pet fountains come with filters so you can ensure your feline is only drinking clean water. This will improve your cat’s kidney health as well as offer mental stimulation.

Most cat fountains are electric and must be placed near an outlet. If your pet’s normal drinking dish is not near an outlet, you can leave the original water bowl and set up the fountain as an additional water source. The most important part being, don’t remove your cat’s normal water dish. Some cats are finicky, and may still prefer to drink from their regular water bowl. 

A pet fountain will bring fun to your cat’s life. Plus, it will keep them from sticking their heads under the faucet while you brush your teeth! 

This is a small list to get you moving towards creating the best life for your cat. Many of the options listed above are affordable and easy to incorporate into your cat’s play areas. Feel free to experiment with new toys and games, as well introduce other pet friendly plants to your feline.