Mary Allen
How can you keep cats busy? Indoor cats in particular often suffer from boredom. In our article, you will learn how to keep cats busy, which games they love and what cats can best occupy themselves with.
Because of cats’ love of freedom and their need for independence, there is a perennial belief in society that there is no need to keep cats busy as they will take care of their own entertainment. It is often not considered that the proportion of house cats has increased in recent decades and these cats cannot live out their natural urge to move outdoors. Apart from that, meaningful activity for cats does not only consist of mere physical activity, since only the interaction of psychological, cognitive, and physical balance leads to a satisfied cat.
If your cat often seems bored or you’re wondering to what extent and how you can keep your house cat or your outdoor cat busy, you will find information and suggestions in this article on how you two can have a lot of fun together.
Keep cats busy
Many people consider cats to be very easy to care for because it is not necessary to take them for a walk every day and training them is largely less complicated than with dogs, which have to be taught how to behave properly in traffic and in society. However, it is underestimated that exercise and activity are essential parts of kitten life, without which the animal can become unbalanced and unhappy.
In fact, cats are very sensitive creatures that react sensitively to small changes in everyday life, moods of people and animal roommates as well as internal territorial problems.
Dangerously boring
Because cats can express an imbalance in their daily activities in many different ways, we sometimes misinterpret their signals. Some cats deal with boredom by sleeping throughout the day, while others pacify restlessly or seek attention at any cost. In any case, it is important to respond to the cat’s need for a more or different activity, since a lack of physical and cognitive activity can lead to obesity and heart problems on the one hand, but also to a drop in mental performance and a reduced general level of activity on the other balance can result. Sometimes boredom can even become acutely harmful if it leads to the occurrence of pica syndrome, in which cats eat all kinds of objects lying around. These can provoke injuries in the digestive tract, which, if detected too late, can have far-reaching consequences.
However, if your cat is more of the type in which a lack of activity or a feeling of neglect is expressed through driven behavior and the chasing for attention, this can end badly for your furnishings, as one or the other decorative piece can be found during their forays through the apartment can sail to the ground.
Also, the provocative attempt to keep you from your current activity, for example by deliberately sitting down on the newspaper or the keyboard in front of you or stroking your legs so obtrusively that you have to be careful with every step to avoid hitting her tail stepping can be read as an indication that the cat wants more activity. It’s a good first step to recognize that this is the case, but now how do you respond appropriately?
The employment type
The need for activity and play is very individual in cats. In order for you as the owner to be able to respond to this in a targeted manner, it is advisable to first analyze which play type your cat belongs to, as this will make it easier for you to make appropriate offers. A distinction is made between different types of play, with most cats having a share of several types.
The sporty cat
These cats enjoy wild and fast games. A bundle of energy, they love to run, jump or climb, which is why chasing and catching games are ideal cat activities. They like to romp in the company of other cats, but are also grateful to their human roommates for any play offer
The curious cat
The discoverer among the cats likes to stick his nose in the corners and hiding places of unknown areas. He loves the new and curiously examines everything that smells or looks unfamiliar. When he is on a discovery tour, no piece of furniture or decoration is safe from him. Cats in this category can spend hours exploring new objects and will appreciate it if you occasionally introduce them to a new playscape or give them a new toy. Often, all you have to do is present the well-known as new to get their full attention.
The busy cat
These restless spirits need constant employment opportunities and never stay focused on one activity for long. As with the curious type, innovation is required here, as they quickly ignore old toys. If you change the way you play, change toys, or present toys you’ve collected as new, they’re avid gamers.
The quiet cat
These cats are often prematurely accused of being lazy because they are not so easy to animate to play. But you have one point of attack: your senses. If you succeed in activating a calm cat with a smell, a visual stimulus or a taste, it often catches fire visibly. In general, however, she enjoys quiet games with little physical effort and also appreciates cognitively demanding tasks.
The brain worker
The clever head of the cat world finds his amusement above all in tasks that challenge his brain cells. Intelligence games and clicker training are among the favourites, but tricky puzzles should always be combined with exercise so that these cats can also be physically challenged. Brainworkers are keen observers and have impressive powers of deduction.
The Transport Cat
If you often see your cat carrying toys, treats, or prey around, it is most likely a cat in this category. She will prove very willing to learn fetch and will enjoy chasing after thrown toys. But she too has a mind of her own and only fetches when she feels like it.
If you have analyzed more closely which type of play your cat belongs to, you may realize why you have sometimes not been able to encourage it to play until now. You may not have found the right toy yet, or you may not have used it in a way that meets their needs. Yes, you can also play “wrong”, but by trying it out together and with our tips, you’re sure to find out what you both enjoy. In the case of indoor cats in particular, however, it should also be considered that no matter how intensively you deal with your cat, you cannot replace a fellow cat in the long run. You should consider getting a second cat, but you need to be able to assess whether your house cat would accept a second cat in its own territory
Playing together – actively dealing with the cat
For us humans, the meaning and beneficial effects of play have often disappeared behind commitments and everyday life. However, it is precisely through animals as intuitive as cats that we can observe how stimulating play promotes physical, mental, and social aspects. By playing with your cat regularly, you not only improve their physical and cognitive condition but also your bond and relationship. There is no optimal playing time or time because what counts is that you and your cat enjoy it. If your furball notices that you are not thinking about it or that you are not motivated to play, it may stop playing. Cats also reject bored and monotonous play.
Playing together is not only fun but also strengthens the bond between the cat and the owner.
Hunting games
As born hunters, it is in the nature of every cat that observing moving objects activates their hunting instinct. For this reason, cat rods and spring sticks are suitable for motivating cats to be active. The advantage of spring sticks is that they allow very fast, wild play and you can use them to imitate a desperate prey animal. At the same time, spring bars can be controlled very precisely. However, it is important to pay attention to quality and to choose a spring stick that can withstand even the urge to play of large, heavy cats. We recommend the Birdy spring stick, which is particularly robust and stimulates the cat’s play instinct by imitating prey. It comes with 3 natural feathers.
A cat rod, on the other hand, covers an even larger range of motion. You liven up the game together by moving yourself instead of just throwing the fishing rod and you can also respond to your cat more individually. Here, too, a hard-wearing material is essential for safe fun, which is why we would like to recommend the Arnold cat rod from our shop. Not only is it more stable than other cat rods, but the attached carabiner also allows for particularly varied play, since almost all other toys such as socks, shoelaces, … can be attached to it. Replacement feathers are also available in the shop should the natural feathers not be able to withstand the energy of your cat over the long term.
Be the prey
A word of advice on the side: It will only be really funny for your house cat if he can forget that you are moving the fishing rod. Try as best you can to imitate the behavior of a prey animal, which also implements letting the prey animal flee, i.e. run away from the cat. After all, no mouse intentionally runs in front of its mortal enemy’s paws. In their fear of death, the prey will not just be limited to one room and will use all the available space to flee. Let the prey climb up the scratching post, scurry into a hiding place and disappear around the corner and use acoustic stimuli to lure the cat to the prey. It looks more natural if you vary the speed or if the prey performs jerky, possibly hook-like movements. Your cat will also not be unimpressed if the mouse disappears under a blanket in front of its eyes, or if something twitches under it. You’ll see her silently stalk her and then suddenly jump at her prey from a crouch.
Real sneaky
But not only the prey likes to hide: In order for the cat to be able to recreate a hunt that is as realistic as possible, you should enable it to stalk and attack the prey from an ambush, from a cave, or from another hiding place. You can add extra variety by placing extra boxes or chairs around the room, which can act as obstacles or hiding spots.
Also, don’t forget to keep the kitten motivated with a regular sense of accomplishment by allowing her to get the prey object between her paws from time to time as well. Ideally, as a partner in crime, you don’t sit rigidly in your armchair but participate in the game together by romping around the room with the cat, without being so wild that you scare off your little hunter with your temperament.
Hide and seek
Cats, who not only seek physical activity in play but also want to be challenged cognitively, love to play hide-and-seek with people. On the one hand, you can try out how your cat reacts when you hide a fabric victim under a blanket from its eyes and then move it by pulling on the string attached to it. Most cats are insane when something moves under the covers but they can’t see what it is. You can also hide other stimuli, such as tempting catnip or a treat-scented toy, and see what happens. You can learn more about catnip in our blog post: “What is catnip? What effect does it have on cats?”.
Many cats also love to play hide and seek with their humans. This is possible in two ways: either you hide and suddenly jump at the cat from an ambush. However, the cat can also take the initiative on its own and suddenly attack you from a hiding place. You encourage this behavior by, if you know that the cat is lurking for you under the table, for example, you walk past it slowly, seemingly without noticing it.
Another hide-and-seek game popular with cats is the carnival game with the three upside-down cups. A small reward or ball is hidden under one of them. You first show her under which one, then turn the cups inside out again, and then quickly swap the cups with each other. The cat must now find out where the reward is. Just make sure all cups smell like the treat or use a neutral ball so the smell doesn’t give away which cup contains the object of desire.
Throwing games
Not only dogs, some cats also enjoy retrieving balls or play mice. They are usually a bit more stubborn and only bring back something you throw from time to time, but at the same time, they signal that they are ready to play. It’s worth trying tossing a treat a bit away from you, she probably won’t bring it back to you, but she might come back to you for you to repeat the game.
Light games
The technology age does not stop at our kitties either. The laser pointer, for example, has been very popular for a long time because you don’t have to move yourself and can play from any position. On the downside, however, care must be taken not to damage the cat’s eye if the beam hits the pupil directly. In addition, a playing cat needs a sense of achievement from time to time to stay motivated. However, since the immaterial point cannot be touched, the cat will never get it between its paws and will sooner or later stop in resignation.
Unlike the laser pointer, shadow games, which you can do with your own hands under the right lighting, do not have integrated rays that are harmful to the eye. It becomes attractive for the cat if you first present it with the shadow of a toy, for example, a pendulum, and then throw the toy to it after it has been playing with the shadow for a while so that its foray is still crowned with success.
Agility
A less well-known but impressive form of activity for cats, which is both physically and cognitively demanding and also involves and challenges you as a play partner and trainer, is the agility course. Your cat overcomes various obstacles in a given order as quickly as possible. Agility competitions have been anchored in dog sports for several years, but are still largely unknown for cats since the freedom-loving and often difficult-to-train animals tend to be less suitable for obedience sports. Particularly docile cats, who like to learn and to be given instructions, can become enthusiastic about the training and if you let enough treats jump during training, this increases motivation even more.
Raschel tunnels can easily be built into an agility course.
Use clicker training sensibly
Clicker training can function both as a game and as a training method and is particularly popular with curious and intelligent cats. A mechanical click is generated via the so-called “clicker” when the behavior is desired. The cat then links its activities to the sound, which in turn is linked to the gift of a treat or other reward. Since clicker training opens up a wide range of possibilities for your joint play, you should do more research if you are considering this training. Note, however, that it is quite time-consuming, as it should be practiced frequently. We recommend the following video to get you started. There we explain what clicker training actually is and we bring you closer to the basics.
Never force joint employment!
The last two games, agility and clicker training in particular, require a high level of motivation from the cat so that you both have fun. However, as a general rule, playing isn’t fun if one of you two doesn’t feel like it.
Joint activities must always be based on the needs of both of you, which means that you should pay attention to whether the cat just wants to be petted, or even left completely alone, sometimes just being there is enough so that your bond can strengthen. Other times, however, the cat will be grateful for action-packed quality time and you should also respond to that.
At the same time, a cat also notices when you are not playing with full enthusiasm or when your head is somewhere else. Don’t force anything, either from you or your cat, because after all, play is defined by a fun factor that should never be neglected, so that the cat can associate positive memories with it and turn to you again next time.
Self-care ideas & toys for cats
Because you can’t always be there to amuse your cat, and because many cats like to be alone from time to time, you should provide them with a small selection of toys that they can grab to their heart’s content at any time. If the cat wants to occupy itself at night, it is advisable to leave the toy within reach of it so that it does not start redecorating your home out of boredom and possible provocation. Many toys can be made by yourself with little expenditure of time and material. You might even enjoy crafting.
Catnip/ Valerian pillow
Catnip and valerian are magically attracted to cats and have a euphoric effect on the one hand, but also calm stressed cats at the same time. The highly sensitive cat noses already perceive the smell at the other end of the room and this activates the wild side of the house tiger. Inexpensively filled into a WASHED sock, or wrapped in a small fabric bag, the herbs become an animating cat toy with which they can occupy themselves for hours. Many cats get outright high, while others experience a calming effect. Some cats don’t react to the smell at all. In any case, your house tiger will love the little bag or socks to play and romp around with.
It pulls in carton
It is an unexplained mystery what fascination cardboard boxes and crates exert on cats. You can be sure that a cat will immediately take possession of a box placed at random in the room, regardless of whether it is actually too small or very uncomfortable.
In the case of cats, the contradictions come together: on the one hand, they often claim the most comfortable places in the house for themselves, but, on the other hand, they can basically sleep anywhere. Her penchant for boxes means it takes nothing more than a few boxes to create a kingdom for a cat. Inside this fortress, you can make your cat even more entertaining by sending them a few rustling pieces of paper or crumpled newspaper pages.
This is a very money-saving alternative to high-priced scratching posts, but your cat will like it just as much – in addition, the project finally gives you a reason to go shopping online again, so that you have enough boxes available – well maybe not that cheap after all , unless you take the boxes from the supermarket with you.
Transform your own 4 walls into a cat paradise
But if you want to create a longer-lasting cat paradise, it is advisable to work with furniture for cats such as scratching posts, cuddly cushions, play areas and the like. Sufficient exercise space is essential for indoor cats in particular, so that they are kept busy in the long term and there is no lack of exercise. If you have little space available, you can use scratching posts to create additional scratching posts, thereby expanding the cat’s territory. Since the need to climb and sharpen its claws is naturally strong in cats, a scratching post should be set up in every room and the barriers between rooms should be at least partially easy to overcome so that the cat can work out uninhibitedly instead having to walk in circles in a room.
For leisure hours, however, the cozy spot in front of the window should not be missing. Cats are passionate observers and like to let the sun shine on their fur through the window. To make them particularly comfortable on the windowsill, you can get a window sill lounger from which cats can keep an eye on everything relevant to them. We recommend the Teddy windowsill lounger, which can be purchased in our shop.
Obsessed with food
If your cat is often alone or if you have observed that food is its main motivation for movement, various food games are a good solution. There are vending machines where cats can work out their own treats by activating a mechanism. If you are a passionate hobbyist or would like to do something good for your cat with a DIY project, you can try your hand at constructing a fiddle board. These toys challenge the cat cognitively as the only way to get hold of the reward or treat is to get it out of the small jar/container. Cats never get bored with such games, but the pool of treats must be regularly replenished to keep them attractive. Intelligence games of this kind kill two birds with one stone, as they not only keep the cat busy, but also ensure mental balance and protect the gray cells from degradation.
Animated electronics
Many cats can only occupy themselves to a very limited extent and soon become bored with inanimate toys. If you can’t get a second cat for various reasons and you don’t have more time to deal with your house tiger yourself, you can try whether the cat can get enthusiastic about interactive cat toys. This moves by itself or makes noises when touched or by itself and therefore does not appear inanimate.
Mix and Match: Bring variety into the game
Even if you have found out through extensive testing that your cat has a certain preference when it comes to toys, variety in everyday life should not be neglected. Much that was once experienced as exciting is suddenly left aside, but after a while it can be sold to your cat as new and interesting again. However, to ensure that she remains motivated in general, you must not flood her with stimuli. If possible, put toys and materials away that aren’t being used so they don’t remain in the cat’s field of vision and irritate or distract it. Too many background noises and other events in the room are also not beneficial if you want the cat to focus on playing and maybe even get into a flow state. A few toys in a calm environment is the best environment for casual play.
Cat busy while away
While some cats prefer to spend their time alone, other house tigers increasingly need a kitten or human playmate because they quickly get bored on their own. But because you can’t always be at home and even when you’re there, you don’t always have time for your cat, you need a selection of toys that your cat can have fun with alone. If you know when you will be leaving the apartment, you can prepare her for employment opportunities by leaving treats around the apartment. In your absence, the cat then has the task of tracking them down.
Cats who appreciate cognitive challenges are also often fans of fiddle boards and fiddle boxes that have their favorite morsels or small balls, such as catnip, on hand.
For tech-savvy animals, or rather for cat owners with a tech fable, there are also electronic toys that can act as playmates for the cat. It is important to exclude sources of danger in the event of overheating or possibly leaking batteries in advance.
Even with these variants, which the cat can deal with independently, your absence should not last too long. Of course, we cannot give you a general estimate of the time here, as it depends on numerous circumstances, above all your apartment and the character of the cat. So that you can still estimate how long you can leave your cat to its own devices, take a look at our article “How long can you leave cats alone?”. All your questions will be answered there.
How long to deal with cats?
It follows from the unique character of cats that no information can be given as to how long they want to be entertained by you. Some cats prefer to play alone, some need companions all the time, while others like to be watched in silence. Regardless of how you play with each other, the principle applies that it promotes the relationship if you take at least 5 minutes a day to deal with it regularly. The regularity helps to build trust and even the most stressful everyday life allows us to step out of the hustle and bustle for 5 minutes to devote to our loved one.
Note, however, that a cat can tell when your mind is not on it. She may also not accept your offer to play if she senses that you don’t have the time or inclination. Consciously take your time and don’t even throw in 5 minutes to play with the cat, because cats are exceptionally sensitive creatures who can tell the difference between a relaxed and a stressed playmate. But don’t be offended if your cat doesn’t feel like playing. Note: Cats are just as moody and stubborn as they are sensitive.
Cat deal with DIY toys
When reading through the toys presented here, you might think that all the leisure equipment for your house cat is beyond your budget. But that doesn’t have to be the case if you lend a hand and make the toy yourself. You can create a beautiful play area for your animal with inexpensive means.
For example, a cheap material that is easy to obtain and doesn’t set any limits to your creativity is cardboard. When designing, you can respond individually to the character of your cat. But if you need a little mental nudge, in the following two videos we will give you ideas on how to make your cat happy.
Note: Change toys regularly
The disadvantage of cardboard is that it can easily be damaged by water or other liquids. It is therefore sometimes useful to apply a protective layer over it. In general, toys that come into contact with food must be replaced regularly to prevent bacterial contamination.
Free, but not for nothing
The practical thing about DIY toys made of cardboard is that in times of online shopping, almost everyone has enough boxes at hand to be able to get creative – and if not, well, then unfortunately you’ll have to order something online first – maybe not such a cheap toy after all. Bargain foxes can also take boxes from the supermarket for their purchases, which is also the more environmentally friendly way of transporting food compared to plastic bags. You should avoid plastic-covered boxes for cat toys, as they could peel off if the toy is used intensively.
Cats love boxes. That’s why homemade cat toys made of cardboard are particularly popular with most cats.
Keep old cats busy
If your cat is already one of the seniors, that doesn’t mean that it no longer has a natural need for meaningful activity. Often the desire for intensive physical activity is reduced or physical ailments lead to severe limitations, but this only encourages you as a cat owner to get creative in order to keep your cat optimally occupied.
There are basically no rules as to what you shouldn’t do with your senior since old cats are often still very agile. We recommend games in which you can react when your animal runs out of breath and which are fun even with a small range of motion. Cat rods and spring sticks are also good choices here if you don’t use them vigorously. Toy balls, fumbling boards, and intelligence games are also perfect for somewhat lazy cats. Older cats can be overwhelmed with electronic toys, and noisy toys tend to be discouraged unless your cat still likes things funky and loud in old age.
Conclusion: The play-chill balance
The balance between rest and activity is not only an important pillar in human life. Cats also need active phases and the opportunity to do something meaningful for their physical and mental balance. It is often not easy to find activities that motivate the cat, especially with house cats, but with the tips and suggestions above you will certainly find many ways to have fun together and strengthen your bond in the process. It is important to analyze what type of play your cat is, so that you can subsequently make the right offer of toys. But especially if you can’t spend as much time playing as your cat needs, you can counteract this discrepancy by creating a play paradise in your own four walls where they can let off steam as they please.
It doesn’t have to cost you a fortune to do it yourself and you can cater to your cat’s needs better than any online shop. If you still need some inspiration, check out the videos and posts linked above. Your cat will reward you for your work with an even-tempered personality, and you’ll quickly notice how your relationship improves if you invest just a few minutes a day in playing with her.