Indoor cats

The great outdoors provides plenty of smells, sights and sounds to keep cats mentally and physically stimulated. But for some cats, it’s not the best environment. Indoor cats still need to express their natural behaviours though, which means owners need to spend a little more time making sure that’s possible.

Many cat owners choose to keep their pets indoors, for a wide variety of reasons. Some cats live indoors permanently, while others may stay indoors for the winter.

For owners of indoor cats, one of the most important aspects of responsible pet ownership is ensuring your cat still has opportunities to behave as naturally as possible.

The first step is to make sure your home offers plenty of places for your cat to climb, rest and hide. If you have multiple indoor cats, they must have enough resources – always provide an additional spare litter tray, food and water bowl, and make sure these are spread around the house.

You’ll also need to spend time making sure your cat has plenty of things to see and do. One of the best ways to achieve this is to set aside time to interact and play with your cat. This not only provides them with mental stimulation but can improve the bond between you.

Short training sessions are also a great way to keep your cat entertained. These don’t need to be long sessions – a couple of minutes a few times a day is plenty. It’s also important to match your cat’s pace. Some will love playing or learning new tricks and will be happy with a few short sessions per day. Others will be happy with one short session. Always make sure your cat has somewhere they can go to rest alone, and respect their need for space when they walk away.

Need some inspiration? Here are three fun activities to try:

Many cats love to climb and sit up high, and a DIY hammock can be a fun place for them to rest. All you’ll need is a worn-out, stretchy T-shirt, some scissors and a sturdy chair. Cut open the shoulders of the T-shirt and extend this cut 15-20cm down each side. Firmly tie each end around your chair legs, and wait for your cat to explore!

Some cats love playing guessing games, so try hiding one of your cat’s favourite treats in a piece of crumpled-up paper, and watch as they work out how to get to it. You can also hide treats inside egg boxes, or empty toilet rolls with the end folded over. Just remember to deduct the calories of these treats from their daily allowance, so as not to overfeed them or cause unecessary weight gain.

If your cat loves stalking and pouncing, help them use their natural hunting abilities with toys. Crinkly toys filled with catnip are a good choice, but fishing wand toys will also encourage your cat to stay active. When choosing the best toys for your cat, think about their play style – if they love chasing and pouncing, kicker toys are a great choice. If they prefer scratching and climbing, try a cat tree. Puzzle toys are also a great way to keep your cat mentally stimulated.

If they don’t have enough mental and physical stimulation, indoor cats might start to show signs of frustration:

• Scratching furniture
• Spraying
• Meowing at the window or door
• Inappropriate play
• Toileting outside the litter box

This behaviour isn’t naughty – it’s simply your cat’s way of expressing that their needs aren’t being met.

It’s always worth speaking to your vet to get your cat’s health checked, as some of these behaviours can indicate a medical condition like urinary tract infections. If you have cat insurance with Petplan, you can utilise our Pet Expert Chat to ask your questions – simply log into your My Petplan account to access.

Make sure you’re offering your cat plenty of opportunities to exercise their bodies and minds. Speaking with a qualified cat behaviourist can help identify any areas for improvement, and offer tailored advice for your specific situation.