Indoor Activities for Cats: 20 Ways to Beat Boredom (Without Stress)

Indoor cats can live rich, interesting lives — they just need a home that lets them be cats: hunt, climb, hide, watch and rest in the sun. Here are twenty ways to make that happen.

Hunting games

1. Two short wand-toy sessions a day.
2. End every session with a “catch” and a treat.
3. Puzzle feeders for part of their meals.
4. Treats hidden in cardboard egg cartons.
5. A ball in an empty bathtub.
6. Toy rotation every week.

Territory and climbing

7. A window perch with a bird view.
8. Wall shelves or a cat tree for a vertical route.
9. A cardboard box fort.
10. A tunnel.
11. A safe hideout for busy days.

Senses

12. Cat grass on the windowsill.
13. Catnip or silvervine, if your cat enjoys it.
14. Birdsong played quietly.
15. A sunny blanket that moves with the seasons.

Quiet bonding

16. Short, optional brushing sessions.
17. Clicker training a simple trick.
18. Slow-blink conversations.
19. Reading aloud with them nearby.
20. A predictable evening ritual.

If your cat seems persistently bored, stressed or less active than usual, talk to your veterinarian — behavior changes can have medical causes.

Want to remember the little rituals? Your Pet Memory has a Cat edition with indoor-friendly alternatives throughout. Or try 50 things to do with your cat.