National Cat Lovers Month: Fun Ways to Engage Your Indoor Cat

National Cat Lovers Month has officially arrived, and while our feline companions might believe every month is their own, this special time offers us a chance to focus on what makes them happiest. At North Road Vet Centre, we’re celebrating our feline patients by sharing some expert advice on environmental enrichment. Whether your cat spends most of their time indoors or you're looking for ways to boost their mental and physical well-being, this guide is packed with simple yet effective strategies.

From DIY toys to create stimulating play sessions to ideas for satisfying your cat’s natural instincts, these tips will not only enhance their environment but also help curb unwanted behaviours. By incorporating these activities into your daily routine, you’ll strengthen the bond with your furry friend and keep them healthy for years to come.

Let’s dive into how you can make this month - and every month - more enriching for your cat.

What is environmental enrichment?

Environmental enrichment refers to introducing new items, activities, and experiences into your cat’s daily life to promote their natural behaviours. This is particularly important for indoor cats, who may not always have access to the same stimuli as their outdoor counterparts. Providing enrichment helps to keep your cat engaged, active, and mentally stimulated. In addition, it encourages natural feline instincts like hunting, scratching, and exploring.

The benefits of environmental enrichment are numerous and include:

• Improving physical health by promoting activity and fitness.
• Providing an outlet for your cat’s energy through natural behaviours such as chasing, stalking, and scratching.
• Reducing stress and anxiety, especially for cats prone to behavioural issues.
• Strengthening the bond between you and your cat by encouraging interaction through play.

Even if you’re on a budget, there are plenty of affordable DIY enrichment options you can create at home to keep your cat engaged and happy.

Encouraging play and hunting behaviours

Playtime is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to introduce enrichment into your cat’s routine. Cats love to explore and "hunt," so offering a variety of toys that simulate prey can help keep them entertained. Try incorporating toys such as:

• Fishing rod toys with feathers or fur that move unpredictably.
• Ping pong balls or crumpled paper, which your cat can bat and chase.
• Small soft toys, perfect for tossing or hiding around the house.
• Large plush toys that your cat can grip, bite, and kick with their back legs.
• Interactive toys with moving parts or hidden treats to capture your cat’s attention.

Always remember to reward your cat with a treat after successful "hunts" to reinforce their natural instincts.

Encouraging scratching

Scratching is an instinctual behaviour that serves several purposes: it helps cats mark their territory, keep their claws sharp, and stretch their muscles. Without the proper outlets for this behaviour, you may find your furniture becoming a favourite scratching spot. To prevent this, provide your cat with a variety of scratching surfaces:

• At least two sturdy scratching posts, with one vertical (for full stretches) and one horizontal.
• Scratching posts made of materials such as carpet, sisal fabric, or natural wood, as these mimic textures your cat would naturally prefer.

Offering a mix of scratching options helps to keep your cat’s claws healthy and your furniture scratch-free.

Keeping mealtimes interesting

Boredom during mealtime can often lead to overeating. By introducing a bit of variety and challenge, you can turn feeding time into a fun and stimulating activity. Try offering:

• Healthy treats like plain-cooked chicken or fish to keep things interesting.
• Dried treats or kibble scattered around the home to encourage your cat to "hunt" for food.
• Activity feeding boards that encourage your cat to work a little harder for their food, promoting both mental and physical stimulation.

These approaches not only enhance your cat’s mealtime experience but also help control their weight.

Climbing, resting and hiding spots

Cats love to climb and explore, and they also need quiet spaces where they can retreat when they feel overwhelmed. A combination of high and low vantage points around your home will give your cat the opportunity to move freely and find the perfect spot to rest or observe their surroundings. Consider:

• Installing a cat tree or creating DIY platforms where your cat can climb and perch.
• Providing comfortable hiding spots in the form of soft beds, cardboard boxes, or even hammocks near windows where your cat can watch the outside world.
• Placing beds or "igloos" in quiet corners where your cat can feel safe and secure when they need some downtime.

These varied environments will give your cat the ability to engage in natural behaviours, such as climbing and hiding, while also promoting relaxation.

Creating an enriched environment for your cat is essential for their overall well-being, and the best part is that it doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. By offering opportunities to play, scratch, hunt, and relax, you’ll not only improve your cat’s physical health but also help reduce stress and encourage positive behaviours. National Cat Lovers Month is the perfect time to implement these ideas, but the benefits will last all year long.

Contact the North Road Vet team on (03) 9596 4804  if you would like more information on maintaining your cat’s mental and physical health. Otherwise, if you have concerns about potential unwellness or behavioural issues in your pet, please call our team to make an appointment.