Is your cat bored? As pet parents, it’s our responsibility to ensure our feline friends are happy and healthy – and that includes keeping them mentally stimulated! If your cat is feeling bored, it can lead to a long list of problems, from destructive behavior (like scratching and biting) to anxiety, so it's super important to take it seriously.
One way to keep your kitty entertained is by providing plenty of the best cat toys, which can be used for both interactive play and solo sessions. Learning how to play with a cat is a crucial part of pet ownership, and experts recommend setting aside an hour a day for it, which can be broken up into smaller slots.
While our cats can’t verbally tell us when they’re bored, we can watch their body language and behavior to try and figure it out. Below Dr. Rebecca MacMillan, an expert vet with more than a decade and a half of experience, has revealed nine signs to watch for and the best ways to keep boredom at bay.
Is your cat bored? The signs
Feeling unsure if your cat is bored? Here are the signs to look out for, according to Dr. MacMillan:
- Excessive sleeping
- Meowing excessively
- Destructive behaviors like chewing or scratching your possessions
- Inappropriate toileting
- Overgrooming
- Aggressive behavior
- Eating more than usual
- Pacing around
- Lack of interest in their surroundings or play
How to entertain a cat
1. Toys
The first on the list, as we've mentioned, is cat toys. They are a great way to deter boredom, but cats are finickity creatures, so finding the right one for your cat is essential. That said, even when you do find one they love, the novelty of that toy can soon wear off. This is why it's important to provide your cat with variety in their toy box. It's worth rotating their access to toys over time too, to help keep their interest, and remember to play with them with their toys to help them stay engaged.
Dr. MacMillan says: "Toys are essential for keeping your cat amused and active. Provide various toy types and consider having a rotation system to keep things fresh."
If you are looking to spend some bonding time with your cat, teaser toys are perfect. They are as simple as a stick and some string, with a feather or a bell attached to it, but flicking them around in front of your cat will stimulate their hunting instinct. And there's nothing cuter than a cat trying to capture something you are in control of! However, remember not to leave them alone with a teaser toy, as they are experts at detaching that feather or bell and trying to eat it.
For times when they are alone, look at investing in one of our choice of the best interactive cat toys. While more expensive, they can keep your furry friend amused for hours, and often have settings that will cause the toy to come to life at various times of the day to reengage their interest after they have lost interest.
You don't need to fork out for expensive toys though, a simple cardboard box can keep a moggie thoroughly entertained. They also like to play with anything new in their living environment – even leaving a ping pong ball or a large bottle cap lying around can get them chasing around the kitchen and enjoying themselves.
You might also want to try some of the best catnip toys or best puzzle feeders to keep them amused.
Dr. MacMillan says: "Catnip is an endorphin-releasing plant, that some cats really enjoy. It can be used as an occasional treat to encourage your cat to play with certain toys or cat furniture. Puzzle feeders are a good way of mentally stimulating your cat as they need to work for their food. They can also be a very handy weight management tool, slowing down eating and encouraging more movement."
2. Give them a view
Cats love to watch the world from the comfort of their own home, and will spend hours staring out of windows at any activity happening outside. Make sure your kitty has access to rooms with windows so they can satiate their desire to check out what's going on around where they live.
A study involving 577 cats showed that when given access kitties spend on average 2 hours staring out of the window – with some spending 5 hours a day enjoying the view. You can help them out by placing a cat tower close to a window so they have a high perch to judge the neighbors from. There are also cat hammocks and beds available that use suction pads to allow you to attach them to the window, so they can bask in the sun while watching the world go by to their heart's content.
Dr. MacMillan says: "Providing your cat with a view can be good for mental stimulation. Just take care as some cats can get easily stressed by seeing other cats or dogs, so keep an eye on their behavior."
3. Cat furniture
Cats love to be up high and they love to scratch, so a cat tower or a scratching post (or a cat tower with a scratching post) is a great investment. Many cat towers include hidey holes or interactive bits and bobs, so make sure you do your research to find the best one for your cat. And there are plenty of cat towers that are designed to look very cool in your space, so don't worry about one mucking up your interior design.
The more scratching posts you provide a cat, the less chance they'll turn those claws on your furniture, so make sure you grab one! Scratch posts help cats keep their claw length down and let them mark their territory, so they're a crucial thing to have in ever cat household.
Dr. MacMillan says: "Cat furniture helps cats to replicate natural behaviors like climbing and scratching. It also gives them a safe viewpoint to watch their surroundings from while resting."
4. Play time
Cats are definitely more low-maintenance than dogs, but that doesn't meant they're no maintenance. Most cats need some playtime with their human, as well, especially if your cat is left alone for long periods of time.
To make up for this, it is vital that you schedule some one-on-one time with your pet. There’s virtually no limit to the amount of toys that are available – you could get a laser pen, or something as straightforward as a toy mouse. Or just give them a cuddle – cats thrive off of physical attention, and doing so will strengthen your bond and make them feel loved.
Dr. MacMillan says: "Playing with your cat will help to keep boredom at bay, as well as being a great bonding tool. Just remember that it’s natural for cats to have short bursts of activity, rather than extended play sessions."
5. Invest in an outdoor cat run
Outdoor cat enclosures are a great compromise if you would like your cats to get some fresh air, but are reluctant to let them roam free. There are a number of examples available to buy online (like this one from Amazon), and the options for customization are endless. With a bit of know-how, you could even connect it to the house via a tunnel and cat flap. It’s not a cheap option, but still worth investigating.
Dr. MacMilan says: "An outdoor cat run or ‘catio’ is a lovely thing to provide for indoor cats. Getting some fresh air and sunlight will enhance their mental well-being and give them more things to look at."
6. Take them out for walk
Believe it or not, you can take cats out for a walk using a cat harness. You may need to harness train your cat first, but a cost-effective way to give your cats some outdoor time is to grab them a harness. To help harness train them, put the harness on your cat while they're in the house (without the leash attached) and let them walk around with it on. Give them lots of treats and try and stay persistent with it, as they may be a bit dramatic and refuse to move around it in it.
After you've trained them, try and take them outside, but make sure the harness is labelled with a name or address in case they get away from you (it might also be worth having them microchipped for the same reason). Not all cats like going outdoors, but for those who do, the fresh air will do them a world of good.
Dr. MacMillan says: "You could consider taking your cat for a walk on a harness and leash to prevent boredom, but it depends on your cat’s temperament. You will also need to spend time training your cat so they become used to wearing these first, plus you will need to stick to safe outdoor spaces where they are unlikely to become frightened or try to escape."
7. Provide them with a platform
Another byproduct of boredom of cats is the tendency to repeatedly jump on top of shelves and cupboards. This isn’t great, especially if you have ornaments, books etc that you’d rather weren’t disassembled every time your cat goes on a jumping spree. One way to prevent this is to keep some shelves free, ideally close to a window for them to gaze out of. Some enterprising individuals have gone one step further in constructing their own indoor playgrounds. If you possess the requisite DIY skills, then give it a go!
8. Training sessions
Can you train a cat? Yes, you can! Dr. MacMillan says: "Basic commands like sit and high five, or navigating simple assault courses, can be achieved through positive reinforcement. Use plenty of treats and praise and keep sessions short."
9. Let the sunshine in
You may or may not have noticed, but cats love the sun. There are few things that make them happier than being warm, and lying in the full glare of the sun seems to do the trick in a number of cases. To this end, leave your curtains open during the day in areas of the house where it’s particularly potent. That way, your cat will be able to stretch out to their heart’s desire.
Ultimately, what you have to remember is cats are complex beings. They require attention and stimulation like any other pet, and thus should be treated with the requisite care. Having a cat isn’t always the cheapest endeavor, but the reward in companionship and love is immeasurable, and makes it all worthwhile.
Keen to ensure you give your cat all the mental and physical enrichment they need to thrive? Learn about cat play and ward off boredom once and for all. Wondering what to do if your cat catches a mouse? An expert is here to help you.
Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. Rebecca enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation).
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis de Leaver.
Recent updates
This page was last updated on February 25 2025 by Megan Milstead.
