Quick answer: Indoor cat enrichment means giving your cat things to watch, places to climb and hide, play that feels like hunting, and food that takes a little effort to get. A window perch, a tunnel, a puzzle feeder and a couple of short play sessions a day cover most of it. Rotate toys so they stay interesting.
Indoor cats have everything they need within the same few rooms, which can make each day look very much like the last. Enrichment is simply about adding variety: chances to watch, explore, hunt, forage and rest in ways that suit how cats naturally behave.
None of it needs much space or money. Here are simple ideas that fit into an ordinary UK home, including smaller flats and rented places.
What does enrichment mean for an indoor cat?
Think about what a cat would spend time doing outdoors: watching birds and movement, climbing to a lookout, tucking into a hiding spot, stalking and pouncing, scratching, and searching for food. Good indoor enrichment offers a version of each of these.
You do not need to do everything at once. Start with one or two ideas, see what your cat enjoys, and build from there.
Give them a view
Many cats will happily spend part of the day watching the street, the garden birds or the weather. A window perch turns that into a comfortable habit.
Our Cat Window Perch Hammock attaches to the glass with suction cups, so there is no drilling, which suits rented homes. It has a soft, padded bed on a supportive frame and comes in an oval (50 x 36 cm) or square (52 x 36 cm) shape.
Fit it to clean, dry, smooth glass only, not textured or film-coated windows. Press each cup firmly, check it is secure before your cat uses it, and re-check it regularly.
Make room to hide and explore
Cats like having places to tuck themselves away and spaces to dash through. A cardboard box with a hole cut in the side is a classic for a reason.
A collapsible cat tunnel gives your cat somewhere to ambush from and zoom through. The crinkly material adds interest, and it folds flat when you need the floor back. It comes in straight, long and three-way versions, and also suits small dogs and rabbits. Supervise play, and remove any loose parts if the tunnel gets damaged.
Use the height in your home
Cats often enjoy a high vantage point. A cleared shelf, the top of a sturdy bookcase or a cat tree gives them a lookout and a quiet place to retreat to.
Play that feels like hunting
Short, interactive play sessions are one of the easiest things you can add. Move a toy the way prey would: hiding behind furniture, darting away, pausing. Let your cat catch it at the end of the session so the game feels finished.
A few tips:
- Several short sessions often work better than one long one
- Many cats are most playful around dawn and dusk
- Put wand and string toys away after play, as string can be dangerous if swallowed
- Rotate toys every few days so they feel new again
Make food a little more interesting
In the wild, cats work for every meal. Asking your cat to put in a little effort can turn mealtimes into part of the day's activity.
The Puzzle Feeder for Dogs and Cats has compartments to hide dry food or treats in, and a non-slip base. A lick mat works with wet food: spread a thin layer over the textured surface and stick it to a smooth surface with the suction cups.
Use part of your cat's daily food allowance rather than adding extra, wash feeders after each use and supervise, especially at first. Our guide to slow feeders, lick mats and snuffle mats explains how each type works.
Somewhere to scratch and somewhere to rest
Scratching is a normal cat behaviour, and a sturdy scratching post or pad near where your cat sleeps or plays gives them a good place to do it.
Rest matters too. Most cats like a few cosy spots around the home, ideally somewhere quiet and slightly raised. A round plush pet bed has a soft donut shape that many cats like to curl into, and it is washable. If your cat has a long coat, our at-home grooming routine covers keeping it tangle-free.
Keep it fresh: rotate and observe
Enrichment works best when it changes a little. Put some toys away and bring them back a week later, move the tunnel to a new room, or scatter a few treats somewhere new. Watch what your cat chooses and do more of that.
If your cat's behaviour, appetite or energy changes suddenly, ask your vet, as changes like these can have a health cause.
Frequently asked questions
How much play does an indoor cat need?
There is no fixed amount, and it varies with age and personality. Many owners find a couple of short play sessions a day, plus things to watch and explore, works well. Let your cat set the pace.
Are window perches safe for cats?
A suction-cup perch should only be fitted to clean, dry, smooth glass. Press each cup firmly, check it holds before your cat uses it, and re-check it regularly, especially if the temperature changes.
Can cats use puzzle feeders and lick mats?
Yes. Our puzzle feeder and lick mat are designed for both dogs and cats. Use part of your cat's normal food, wash after each use and supervise, removing anything that gets chewed.
Should I leave toys out all the time?
A few safe toys can stay out, but rotating them keeps them interesting. Always put string, ribbon and wand toys away after play.
You will find everything mentioned here in our Cats and Play & Enrichment collections.