Entertain Your Indoor Cats: Tips and Tricks for a Happy Home

For inevitable reasons, like mine, you might need to keep your two cats who are used to a large territory inside the house for a few months. Ensuring their happiness and well-being is crucial during this period. If you're familiar with the necessities cats have, you've likely noticed that they sleep a lot—12 to 16 hours a day on average, with much of that sleep occurring during the day when their owners are away. This leaves the question: How do you keep them entertained?

Providing a Comfortable Environment

A key aspect of keeping your cats happy is making sure they have easy access to the essentials: food, water, a litter box, and a place to rest. My cats, for example, enjoy a cozy 27-hour sleep cycle. Providing a place where they can sit and watch the outside world through windows is also highly beneficial. Our cats have two windows with views of birds, feeders, and the neighborhood. They get entertainment by watching various activities unfold outside. If you can't afford or don't have windows, consider a cheap 1080p TV screen, a laptop, and an HDMI cable. You can play bird videos or other interactive content, which they can watch for hours.

Interactive Play Areas and Toys

A cat tree placed in front of the window is a must-have. It provides them with a climbing area and a vantage point to observe the outside environment. Additionally, using plastic bird feeders attached outside the windows can offer hours of entertainment. Interactive toys, such as wand toys, puzzle feeders, and laser pointers, are also essential. Providing videos of cats, birds, and animals can keep them engaged and entertained at specific times. These videos should be set to play automatically so they have constant stimulation. If you're good at it, playing videos of you speaking to them can also help soothe them and provide companionship when you're not around.

How to Be Prepared for the Transition

When you originally get two kittens from the same litter, they usually play together and get plenty of exercise chasing each other. This natural behavior ensures that they have a lot of physical activity from the start. However, when you bring them home, you can set up the environment to ensure they are not bored. AWell-maintained litter box, adequate food and water, and comfortable hiding spots can prevent stress and anxiety. Additionally, provide them with a comfortable area to rest, which can be a raised bed or a comfortable chair.

Conclusion

By providing your cats with a comfortable home environment and regular play, you can help ensure they are happy and well-adjusted during their indoor stay. Don't underestimate the power of a good video or toy to keep them entertained. Remember, cats love a routine, so try to maintain a consistent daily schedule to help them feel secure. With the right setup, you can make sure your cats are distracted and busy enough that they don't feel lonely or bored.