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Boredom is the enemy of contentment and happiness for indoor cats. They need lots of stimulation and playtime to ward off negative behaviors like excessive meowing or scratching furniture. Luckily, there are plenty of activities that can keep your feline friend entertained inside.
- Feather Duster
- Fishing rod
- Treat dispenser toy
- Cat laser
- Ping-Pong ball
- A Climbing Wall
- Cat tree
- Circuit for Cat
- Mouse
Find out how to keep your cat entertained indoors with these fun and easy activities.
How To Keep Your Indoor Cat Busy?
As an indoor cat owner, you want your pet to live in the most natural environment possible. That’s why a feline-friendly apartment should offer a wide variety of cat activities. By making your cat’s daily life fun and varied, you’ll make him more resistant to stress!
Our feline friends need stimulation and entertainment to stay happy and healthy. One easy way to provide this is to share little play dates as often as possible. This can mean simply bringing your cat a new box from time to time so that he can hide in it and explore a different olfactory universe.
You can also vary the sound background, such as playing different types of music or recording animal sounds. By regularly changing elements of his environment, you make your cat more resistant to stress. And of course, play is also a great exercise for your cat, helping him to stay fit and active.
Why Is It Essential To Play With Your Indoor Cat?
Play is an important part of a cat’s life, and it’s crucial to provide opportunities for them to let off steam. By playing, cats follow their natural feline instincts and stay mentally and physically healthy. Indoor cats have far fewer opportunities to let off steam than outdoor cats, who are free to go outside whenever they want. Yet they need to move and play, to keep their muscles and bones healthy, and to stimulate their minds.
When choosing toys for your cat, look for ones that encourage hunting and stalking behaviors. Feather wands are a great option, as they allow your cat to stalk and pounce on their prey. Laser pointers are also popular, as they create a moving target for your cat to chase. Rotating balls are another fun option, as they roll around erratically, giving your cat a workout as they chase after them. Whatever toys you choose, make sure to rotate them regularly so your cat doesn’t get bored.
Spending time playing with your indoor cat is not only a great way to bond with your furry friend, but it can also help to prevent behavioral problems. Cats are natural hunters, and their play instinct helps them to stay sharp and agile. When cats don’t have an outlet for their energy, they can become restless and destructive. However, by playing with your cat on a regular basis, you can provide them with the stimulation they need to stay happy and healthy.
Games To Play With Your Cat
A cat’s intelligence is often underestimated. In fact, cats are very capable of learning new tricks and adapting to new environments. However, they can become bored quickly if they do not have enough stimulation. That’s why it’s important to provide them with toys and games that will challenge them mentally and physically.
1. Feather Duster
If you’re looking for a fun way to play with your cat, then look no further than a simple stick with feathers! Wave it in front of your cat and watch him pounce on it like he’s hunting prey. There are a multitude of different models available on the market, so you’re sure to find one that best suits your four-legged friend. From different materials to different colors of feathers, there’s a feather stick out there for every cat.
2. Fishing Rod
Cats are creatures of instinct, and their hunting instincts are strong. That’s why the cat fishing pole is such a great toy – it satisfies their natural desires to stalk and capture prey. The best part is that you get to watch them have hours of fun while they stay active and healthy. Just like the duster, the cat fishing pole is a simple toy that will drive your pet crazy. Its elastic string with a toy, feathers or bolduc attached to the end will stimulate your pet like never before.
Let him catch his prey, pull on the fishing pole to make him let go and discover your cat’s stunt talents. There are also models that can be hung up to allow your cat to play in your absence. Once you’ve found the perfect duster, or fishing pole, don’t hesitate to buy more than one, as these toys sometimes have a limited lifespan 😉
3. Treat Dispenser Toy
A food dispenser ball is a great way to keep your cat entertained and motivated. When your cat plays with the ball, it dispenses small treats that serve as a reward for their efforts. This encourages your cat to continue playing, which helps to stimulate their mind and body. The ball can also be filled with dry food, which makes it easy to clean. Put only a small amount of food in the ball so that your cat doesn’t become overweight.
4. Cat Laser
If you’ve ever owned a cat, then you know how much they love to chase light spots. It’s instinctive for them, and it’s also a great way to get them to exercise. All you need is a laser pointer and you can have your cat running around and burning off energy in no time. Just be careful not to make the game too difficult or too frustrating for your pet. The goal is to entertain the cat and get it to exercise, not to exhaust it or put it in danger.
5. Ping-Pong Ball
If you’re looking for a way to keep your cat entertained, a ping pong ball is a great option. It’s light and bouncy, making it perfect for cats who love to chase. Plus, the fact that it’s so small and slippery means that your cat will never be able to catch it for long. Best of all, ping pong balls are simple, effective and inexpensive – making them a great choice for budget-conscious pet owners. Just be sure to supervise your cat while they’re playing, and remove the ball if they start to chew on it.
6. A Climbing Wall
So, you’re not afraid to drill some holes in your wall? Good for you! You don’t have to be a great handyman to make a wall course. All you need is a few boards, some brackets, some pegs, a spirit level and a little imagination. Your cat will love to explore, climb and, to top it all off, dominate the room by sitting high up. It’ll be like having their own personal amusement park right in your home! Plus, it’ll help keep them active and mentally stimulated.
7. Cat Tree
If you’re looking for an excellent alternative to a wall run, the traditional cat tree has the advantage of not requiring you to drill holes in your wall. You’ll find them in all sizes in stores, from the simplest with a single platform to the most sophisticated with baskets and various niches – a real playground for your cat to entertain, rest and hide. Some cat trees even include hanging toys, and the trunks often serve as a scratching post. There’s no doubt about it, a cat tree is an indispensable multipurpose toy for your cat.
8. Circuit For Cat
With a play circuit, your cat will move a ball along a path of varying length with its paw. There are different shapes. From the simple round to the circuit with loops, curves, slopes and even floors.
It’s a very stimulating game and your pet will spend many minutes trying to catch the ball. The best part is that you can adjust the difficulty level to keep your cat challenged as they master the game. And if you have more than one cat, they can play together too! So why not give your feline friend a play circuit today?
9. Mouse
Mouse toys are a favorite of many cats. The small size and quick movements of the toy resemble a real mouse, making it irresistible to most felines. Some mouse toys even contain treats, further increasing their appeal. You can let your cat play with the toy on its own, or you can participate by waving it in front of its eyes and encouraging it to grab it. Just be careful with your fingers, in its rush to catch the prey, your cat may unintentionally bite your hand.
Make sure to have a look at our articles “6 Ways To Keep Your Cat Healthy“, “7 Tips To Make Your Pet Happy When He’s Feeling Low“, “The Routine Care Your Cat Needs” as well as “Is My Cat Stressed? – 10 Signs Of Stress“