Last Updated: 02/09/2026
Keeping indoor Cats Happy
Do you own an indoor cat? Read more from our vets how to keep them active, entertained and safe.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
The indoor lifestyle has many benefits for cats. It can keep them away from cars, predators, fighting, parasites, and disease. It also keeps their sneaky little paws away from your neighbourhood wildlife.
However, despite all these benefits, an indoor lifestyle can lead to boredom or frustration if enrichment is not provided. Unfortunately boredom can lead to issues such as house soiling or spraying, over-grooming, reduced appetite, disinterest in interaction, and aggression.
Thankfully there are many ways to enrich your cat's indoor life. For the bigger picture, see our guide on Indoor vs Outdoor Cats: Pros and Cons.
In this article
- How can you enrich your indoor cat's feeding time?
- Should you build a catio or walk your cat on a lead?
- How do you create a smell smorgasbord for your indoor cat?
- How do you simulate hunting and play for an indoor cat?
- Why do indoor cats need levels and hiding places?
- Can synthetic pheromones like Feliway help your indoor cat?
- How can you give an indoor cat visual stimulation?
- How do you choose the right litter for an indoor cat?
- Can a pet camera help keep an indoor cat happy?
How can you enrich your indoor cat's feeding time?
Food bowl? How boring! Your cat's wild ancestors had to use their wits to hunt and catch food. It is hardly surprising that feeding your cat from the same bowl in the same place often leads to boredom.
An interactive feeder such as a snuffle mat or KONG wobbler will keep your cat motivated and engaged at feeding time. These are perfect for food motivated cats, particularly those who could stand to lose a few kilos!
Another form of food enrichment is to provide a variety of textures. Try alternating wet and dry food, swapping it up to keep your kitty guessing. You might also like to treat your cat to the occasional crunchy treat, cat grass to satisfy their chewing urges, or lick mat loaded with a creamy treat for a smooth, longer-lasting food experience.
Encourage your cat to work for their food and provide an outlet for their hunting instincts through explorative feeding. Instead of feeding from a bowl, try hiding kibble or treats for your cat to sniff out and find. It is a great way to keep them occupied when you are not home(Just be sure to clean up any uneaten food regularly, to ensure proper hygiene!).
In clinic, we often see indoor cats put on weight simply because the do less exercise. Making meal times interesting makes your cat work for their food and encourages them to have a more active lifestyle.
For the nutritional side of things, see our Best Indoor Cat Food guide.
Should you build a catio or walk your cat on a lead?
A secure outdoor enclosure attached to a window or cat flap is a great way to add extra enrichment. A catio lets your indoor cat spend time outdoors safely, away from cars, disease and other cats, while still getting to sniff, watch and explore.
Walking your cat on a lead is another safe way to explore outdoors, though it's a process you'll need to build up slowly with plenty of positive reinforcement. See our article Teach Your Cat to Walk on a Lead for the full step-by-step guide.
Short on outdoor space? Our guide on How to Catify Your Apartment has more ideas for indoor enrichment.
How do you create a smell smorgasbord for your indoor cat?
Stimulating your cat's senses with new or novel scents is a great way to enrich their environment. Outdoor cats naturally encounter new smells on a daily basis. You can replicate this for your indoor cat by keeping catnip toys around the house or growing some cat grass.
We recommend rotating a few cat-safe herbs, like valerian, silvervine or catnip as cats can have a different response to each.
For more information, check out our article What Is Catnip?.
How do you simulate hunting and play for an indoor cat?
Outdoor cats spend a good chunk of each day hunting. To replicate this for your indoor cat there is an easy solution - toys, toys, and more toys! From teaser toys to interactive toys, your choice is virtually endless, for play ideas, see Games You Can Play With Your Cat.
Keep it interesting! Cats get bored of the same toys just like kids do, so rotate them every few days and refresh catnip toys with new stuffing or spray weekly.
In clinic, we often see cats develop over-grooming or anxious behaviours, simply because they are under stimulated. Just a small amount of play per day can make a big difference.
For product picks, see our Best Indoor Cat Toys guide.
Why do indoor cats need levels and hiding places?
Encourage and nurture your indoor cat's natural instincts to climb up onto high shelves or into cardboard boxes by providing them with extra levels. Cat furniture is an easy way to achieve this. Cat trees often provide a variety levels as well as bonus scratching surfaces.
Hideaways are a great way to help your cat establish a safe space and can help reduce anxiety. Igloo or pod type beds are a great way to give your feline friend a snuggly little hidey-hole.
Cats in multi pet or busy households benefit most from vertical spaces or hideaways as it gives them somewhere to escape and reduces stress-related behaviours.
Can synthetic pheromones like Feliway help your indoor cat?
Feliway is a synthetic version of the odourless pheromone normally left by cats when they rub against objects in their environment. This pheromone is usually released by your cat when they feel happy or content, and is also used to mark territory.
When used correctly, Feliway can help to reduce your cat's stress levels and combat marking behaviours like scratching or spraying.
This product is available in a slow release diffuser, perfect for areas where your cat likes to sleep or spend most of their time, of a spray, which is great to minimise stress during travel.
In clinic, it is one of the most common questions that we get from clients bringing home a new cat or moving house. We recommended starting the diffuser a few days before to allow the calming effects to build over time.
For more information, check out our Guide to Using Feliway.
How can you give an indoor cat visual stimulation?
Cats love watching the world go by, so an elevated window bed is a great enrichment win. A bird bath or feeder outside adds extra viewing pleasure, and secure fly-wire on doors and windows lets in exciting outdoor smells too. Videos on YouTube designed for cats, featuring mice, fish and birds, can also sharpen their natural predatory instincts.
We often recommend position a cat bear near a window with bird life or foot traffic, so that cats can observe the outside world, a low-cost enrichment they can enjoy everyday.
How do you choose the right litter for an indoor cat?
Every indoor cat needs a clean toilet of their own where they feel comfortable. Preferences vary, so it can take some trial and error to find a favourite, whether that's a natural dirt-like substance, a clumping litter for quick daily clean-outs, or a self-cleaning tray that does the work for you. If you're sharing close quarters, a hooded litter box with an absorbable, odour-hiding litter can make a big difference for both of you.
Litter box issues are one of the most common issues that cat owners report. . If your cat suddenly stops using the tray, check the litter type and cleanliness before assuming it's behavioural.
For a full breakdown, see our article What is the Best Cat Litter?
Can a pet camera help keep an indoor cat happy?
Keep an eye on your feline friend whilst you're at work with a kitty cam. Options range from cameras that let you talk and play with your cat remotely using a laser, to ones that dispense treats, helping ease your mind and add a bit of extra enrichment while they're home alone.
They can also help you spot early signs something's wrong, like reduced activity or appetite, that you might otherwise miss during the day.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Thu Sep 3 2026
Edited by Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
