Cats, even ones that live a life of indoor luxury, have strong instincts inherited from their wild ancestors. While we love our cats for their cuddly personalities and sweet demeanor, creating an environment where they can thrive and express their natural behaviors is important. Doing so helps reduce their stress and contributes to a happier and healthier life. The Peak City Veterinary Hospital wants to help you provide your cat with everything they need to feel their best.

Why focus on natural cat behaviors?

An indoor environment provides our cats with protection and comfort, but it can sometimes lead to problem behaviors if their instinctual needs aren’t met. Common issues that arise include:

  • Destructive scratching
  • Inappropriate elimination
  • Boredom and lethargy
  • Aggression or anxiety

Providing outlets for natural feline behaviors helps prevent these issues and leads to a happier and calmer cat.

Let cats satisfy their hunting instincts

Cats are natural-born hunters. Encourage them to hone their skills within the confines of your home with:

  • Play sessions — Use toys that mimic prey like mice, birds, or fluttering insects. Engage your cat in chase-and-pounce games at least twice a day for 10 to 15 minutes each session. Interactive toys like fishing pole wands, laser pointers, or even a simple ball of crumpled paper can provide excellent exercise and mental stimulation.
  • Puzzle feeders — These devices hide food or treats, requiring your cat to work for their meal. There are many options, from simple DIY creations to more complex commercial products. This taps into your cat’s hunting instincts and provides mental enrichment.
  • Rotate toys regularly — Change up the toys every few days to prevent your cat from getting bored and keep their hunting instinct engaged. Sometimes, simply hiding an old toy and then strategically “rediscovering” it can spark renewed interest.

Give cats a way to climb

Cats love being up high, where they can feel safe and survey their surroundings. Help them climb to their heart’s content with:

  • Cat trees or condos — Invest in a sturdy cat tree with shelves, perches, and enclosed spaces for hiding. Place it in a common area with a good vantage point, such as near a window.
  • Secure shelves — Mount cat-friendly shelves on the wall to give your cat places to explore and provide alternative pathways to navigate your home. Consider using non-slip materials on the shelves for extra safety.
  • Window perches — A designated window perch allows for safe bird or squirrel watching, while providing entertainment and mental stimulation. Ensure any window screens are secure before leaving your cat unattended.

Create a cat scratching haven

Scratching isn’t just about sharpening claws; it also leaves visual and scent marks for your cat, helps them stretch, and relieves stress. Help them scratch appropriately by:

  • Opting for a variety of materials — Provide scratching posts made of sisal, carpet, cardboard, wood, or other textures. Each cat might have a preference.
  • Placing the posts in the right spots — Put scratching posts in prominent places your cat frequents, often near sleeping areas or alongside walkways. Vertical and horizontal posts offer versatility.
  • Praising good behavior — Offer treats, gentle scratches, and verbal praise when your cat uses their scratching post. If you catch them scratching inappropriately, gently redirect them to a scratching post and praise them when they use it.

Provide your cat places to hide

Cats need safe spaces where they can retreat when they feel overwhelmed or want a nap. Try these safe-haven options:

  • Cat caves and beds — Cozy enclosed beds offer a sense of security. You can find these in a variety of styles and materials.
  • Cardboard boxes — Boxes are simple and free, yet often a huge hit with cats of all ages. Switch out boxes regularly to maintain their interest.
  • Elevated hiding spots — Shelves, cat trees, or even the tops of cabinets provide a feeling of safety and seclusion, which is a great option, particularly in multi-cat households.

Observe and adapt to your cat’s behavior

Every cat has their own unique personality. Pay attention to what your cat enjoys, and tailor their environment to suit their needs. Try out these additional enrichment ideas:

  • Harness and leash training — If done safely and with patience, this can open up a supervised outdoor world for your indoor cat.
  • Cat-friendly plants — Provide safe plants for chewing and exploring, such as cat grass or spider plants.
  • Cat videos — Specially produced videos of birds, squirrels, and other prey can provide entertainment if your cat has a safe place to watch a screen.

If your cat is experiencing behavior problems despite your efforts to enrich their environment, don’t hesitate to contact the Peak City Veterinary Hospital for a consultation. There might be underlying medical issues, and we can assist with diagnosis and a plan for minimizing those problem behaviors. We want to help you and your beloved cat thrive.