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Top 5 enrichment tips for indoor cats
23rd April 2020
Many cats can learn to cope just fine in an indoor environment, provided there is enough enrichment for them in the home. Take a look at our top five tips to help your indoor cat feel comfortable and entertained.
1. Indoor cat toys
A selection of different types of toys should keep your cat entertained throughout the day. If your cat has multiple toys, try bringing them out in rotation to prevent them from getting bored. Food dispensing toys are great fun and a healthy way for your cat to feed if they like dry cat food. Meanwhile, toys with moving parts can help cats explore their natural desire to hunt. A simple feather on a stick can work just as well and this type of toy also gives you the chance to bond with your cat through play.
2. Scratching posts
Cats love to scratch their claws to mark their territory and keep their nails in good condition. They’ll often do this as soon as they wake up, so placing a scratching post close to their bed is a good idea. Multiple scratching posts around the home give cats more opportunities to get their claws out. There are many different scratching posts available on the market, or you could make your own using sisal or an old piece of carpet.
3. Litter trays
A litter tray is an essential piece of kit for an indoor cat. If you have multiple cats, you will need to provide one litter tray per cat plus one extra. Cats like to use the toilet in peace so this many litter trays should ensure there are plenty to go around, preventing toileting accidents in your home. Clean the litter trays out regularly and use a type of litter that your cat likes – you may want to try a few different types before you find one that your cat settles on.
To give your cats extra privacy while they're toileting, you could make each cat their own private litter box out of a Microchip Cat Flap and a crate. The Microchip Cat Flap works with a microchip or RFID collar tag to give exclusive access to a registered cat. See how to make the litter box in our video.
4. Water sources
A simple water bowl might suit some cats, but others will prefer fresh running water. Cat water fountains are available, or a dripping tap is another option. Your cat’s water source should not be located close to your cat’s food bowl or litter tray. In the wild, cats seek out water sources away from these other resources to avoid contamination, and the same goes for domestic cats.
5. Hiding places
Cats like to hide when they feel threatened. Your indoor cat may feel unsettled if there is an unexpected visitor in the home or if there is building work going on, so they will need somewhere to retreat to. Cardboard boxes, cupboards or the space under a bed are all ideal hiding places. Make sure your cat’s favourite hiding spots are accessible at all times.
In multi-cat homes, your cats might want to get away from each other at times to have some privacy. Create secluded places in the house by installing Microchip Cat Flaps on internal doors and only permitting certain cats access to those rooms or areas of the house.
