Keeping an Indoor Cat Happy and Healthy
In this guide
Many cats live long, contented lives entirely indoors. But a bored indoor cat may overeat, overgroom, scratch furniture, or develop behaviour problems linked to stress.
The key is creating an environment that lets a cat behave like a cat.
Daily play
Cats are hunters. Two or three short play sessions a day with wand toys that mimic prey — darting, hiding, and fluttering — satisfy that instinct. Let the cat “catch” the toy at the end of each session, and follow play with a small meal, which completes the hunt–catch–eat sequence.
Go vertical
Cats feel safer when they can watch from above. Cat trees, wall shelves, and cleared windowsills add usable space without extra floor area. Place at least one perch by a window with an outside view.
Make food more interesting
- Puzzle feeders and treat balls
- Scatter feeding dry food around the room
- Several small meals instead of one or two big ones
- Rotating toys so they stay novel
Resources in the right places
Provide separate areas for food, water, litter, and sleeping. In multi-cat homes, a good rule is one litter tray per cat plus one, in different locations. Scratching posts should be tall and sturdy enough for a full stretch. See our guide to why cats scratch furniture.
Safe outdoor access
A secure catio, a cat-proofed garden, or harness training gives some cats safe access to fresh air and outdoor smells. Introduce a harness slowly, indoors first, with lots of treats.
Watch their weight
Indoor cats often burn fewer calories. Weigh your cat regularly and adjust portions. See our guide to keeping your pet a healthy weight.
This is general pet-care information, not veterinary advice. Every animal is different — if you are worried about your pet's health or behaviour, contact your veterinarian. In an emergency or a suspected poisoning, call your vet or an animal poison-control line immediately.