Building a Kitty Paradise: Environmental Enrichment for Indoor Cats

Cats are intelligent, curious, and active creatures. They need an environment rich in resources that meet their resting, exploration, climbing, hunting, eating, scratching, social, and elimination needs. Such an environment supports physical and mental health.  Multiple cat households should have multiple resource stations located throughout the house and tailored to each individual cat.

Resting: Cats are most vulnerable while sleeping, so they prefer to rest in areas where they feel safe and secure.  Cat towers, boxes and carriers that are left out provide good hiding places.

Exploration/climbing: Vertical space is highly desirable for cats and increases the overall space available, which is especially important in multiple-cat households. Cat trees/perches/condos, shelves, chairs, boxes, and window sills offer a variety options for exploration.  Bird feeders placed outside the window can provide daily entertainment.

Hunting/eating: Cats in the wild spend up to 4 hours hunting and eat 10-20 small meals a day. By making all food available in a bowl, foraging time for indoor cats has been reduced to a few minutes a day – boring!  Interactive toys such as food puzzles and treat balls require cats to work for their food. 

Hide food in and around new objects throughout the house to allow your cat to mimic hunting.  When you are home, play with your cats using toys that allow them to stalk and catch prey, such as fishing poles.

Scratching:  Cats scratch trees to loosen old nail layers, sharpen claws, and to leave visual and scent marks.  Inside kitties need sturdy scratching posts made of materials cats prefer (usually wood, sisal rope, or rough fabric) to allow them to engage in these important activities. Many cats prefer vertical scratching posts; some prefer horizontal ones. Locate the scratching post next to a window, sleeping area or another favorite area.  Put catnip, treats and toys near the post and reward your cat with treats and praise when the scratching post is used.

Social interaction: Grooming is part of normal maternal behavior, coat care, parasite removal, and social interaction.  Cats usually groom each other around the head and neck, so this is a good place to start when combing or petting your cat.  Be aware that not all cats enjoy social grooming, so never force your cat to endure it if they do not enjoy it.

Elimination: Each cat in the house should have their own litter box.  It should be located in a quiet but easily accessible area.  Most prefer sandy, unscented litter and no hood. Boxes should be scooped daily and thoroughly cleaned at least weekly.

 Environmental enrichment enhances your cat’s quality of life and prevents many behavioral and stress-related disorders. Designing an indoor paradise requires imagination and understanding of normal cat behavior. Concentrate on creating an environment that is rich is sights, sounds, activities and even smells throughout the day.

An excellent resource on environmental enrichment can be found at indoorpet.osu.edu/cats/