As a cat owner, you understand that cats are pretty low-maintenance pets, but you may be wondering what are some things you can do to help keep your cat happy, especially if your cat is an indoor cat. Indoor cats have different needs than outdoor cats when it comes to the things that will make them happy. We will go over 12 Amazing Ways to Make Your Cat Happy Indoors that you can start doing right now.
Contents
- 1 1) A happy cat is a tired cat
- 2 2) Get a Kitty Companion
- 3 3) Spay and Neuter Your Cat
- 4 4) Get A Really Nice Scratching Post
- 5 5) Let Your Cat Watch Birds
- 6 6) Let’s Your Cat Climb
- 7 7) Cats Need to Hunt
- 8 8) Take Your Cat for a Walk on a Leash
- 9 9) Brush Your Cat
- 10 10) Give Your Cat the Occasional Cat Treat
- 11 11) Get A Special Bed Just For Your Cat
- 12 12) Spend time with Your Cat
1) A happy cat is a tired cat
Cats like to run around end attack various types of prey throughout the day and night. It’s very easy for an indoor cat to go stir-crazy if it can’t get that hunting energy out. The best way to deal with this extra kitty energy is to have lots of different types of cat toys that keep your cat running around. There are so many different cat toys to choose from that you’re bound to find one that your kitty companion will like. There are cat toys with feathers, mice, and laser pointers. You are sure to find something that will get your kitty moving.
Now you just need to find the time to do it. If you don’t have tons of time to play with your cat, look at the interesting robotic cat toys that will keep your cat hunting without your input.
2) Get a Kitty Companion
Not everyone can be home all day to spend time with their beloved feline, so if you have a cat that is particularly needy, you may find it helpful to get another cat. Cats like to play with each other, sleep on each other, and groom one another. If you don’t have a lot of time for your pet, having another feline companion at home can help keep your indoor cats much happier.
3) Spay and Neuter Your Cat
Spaying and neutering your cats is very important. If you have an indoor-only cat each time those hormones kick in, your cat will want to escape and get outside. When you spay and neuter your cat you eliminate the stress of the fluctuating hormones and keep your kitty happy to be inside. It also helps to keep unwanted kittens off the street which makes all of us happier.
4) Get A Really Nice Scratching Post
Cats like to keep their nails pretty short. So if you have a really nice convenient scratching post that allows them to stretch out and flex their back while scratching those nails down they will be a much happier cat. If you don’t have a scratching post that the cat enjoys, you will frequently find them taking that nail filing out on your furniture, curtains or shoes. Make sure to get your cat a nice scratching post so that they will remain a happy cat.
5) Let Your Cat Watch Birds
Another great thing for a happy cat is the ability to watch birds out of your window. You can install a cat perch window if you don’t have a wide enough windowsill for your cat to sit on and enjoy watching the wildlife. You can set up a bird feeder just outside the window to make your cat even happier. This allows a safe environment for the birds and your kitty. You will also get the benefit of doing some bird watching too.
6) Let’s Your Cat Climb
Cats love to climb. Climbing up to a high spot allows your cat to see everything that is going on around it. Cat trees are a great way to allow this in your home if you don’t want your cat climbing all over your furniture. Cat tree’s come in many different styles and shapes that will fit the decor of your house in a way that will keep you and your cat happy.
7) Cats Need to Hunt
All cats are curious creatures. You really need to let them get out there and pounce on some prey. Many cats get bored if they are indoors and don’t have enough stimulation, so make that sure besides toys you have other types of stimulation for your cat. There are lots of treat balls that you can use that will give your cat hours of entertainment while they figure out how to get the treat out of a ball. This uses other skills that they would use during hunting outside and keeps their brain active.
8) Take Your Cat for a Walk on a Leash
If you’re going to let your cat go outside then the absolute safest way to do that is to train them to be comfortable walking on a leash. This is easiest when they are still a kitten. Most kittens can quickly pick up walking on the leash but even older cats can do it with some practice. Start slowly and take your time. At first, just getting the cat comfortable wearing the harness in the house. Then when they are comfortable with that, slowly allow the cat to experience a short walk outside with plenty of encouragement and treats. It will be a whole new world of entertainment for them.
9) Brush Your Cat
Cats generally take a fair amount of time out of their day to keep themselves quite clean, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t spend some time brushing your cat on a regular basis. If you have a long-haired cat, you DEFINITELY need to spend some time brushing your cat pal. If you have a short-haired cat you may think that you don’t need to spend much time brushing your cat, but that isn’t true. Brushing your cat allows you to go over their coat and body and make sure that there are no bugs, cuts, or other bumps that need to be checked out. Generally most cats like being brushed so this is also a great way to bond with your cat.
10) Give Your Cat the Occasional Cat Treat
Cats love cat treats. You can tell this by the fact that if you even touch the packaging that the cat treats come in, your cat is likely to come running. So when your cat has done something you particularly like such as come when you call their name or when you cut their nails and they don’t get too freaked out, give your cat a treat. Make sure you don’t overdo it though. Cat treats much like human treats, can have a lot of extra calories that can definitely add up and make your cat start gaining weight.
11) Get A Special Bed Just For Your Cat
Although your cat will likely sleep wherever they feel like it, having a special cat bed just for your pet is a great way to keep your cat happy indoors. We go over a lot of different parts of cats sleeping process in this article here, including things like do Cats dream and where you should place the special cat bed. So check that out.
12) Spend time with Your Cat
This may seem pretty straightforward but you really just need to spend time with your cat. Domestic cats unlike their wild ancestors like attention from humans. pay attention to your feline friend with cat treats. Pets and playtime and you will have a happy cat.