Keeping Your Cat Entertained While You’re at Work All Day
Just because you’re at work doesn’t mean your cat won’t be looking for compelling entertainment all day. Bored cats without any outlets tend to cause the most ruckus while their owners are working, but with a little effort, you can make your space more engaging for your kitty. Doing so is a win for both you and your cat… and your home.
Create a Window Watching Zone
If you don’t already have one, set up a window perch with a bed or a comfortable ledge. It can make all the difference to an indoor cat. Cats love to observe the world outside, and the sights and sounds of birds fluttering, leaves rustling, and the occasional passerby can be endlessly entertaining to them.
If you really want to enrich their day, put a little bird feeder outside the window!
Rotate Toys to Keep Things Fresh
Cats can lose interest in toys if they’re always the same ones. They are a lot like little kids whose attention spans are fleeting. Try keeping a toy rotation box. Store a few toys out of sight and swap them every couple of weeks.
In general, feather wands, crinkle balls, and catnip toys are all great choices for toys. Cats like dependable situations, and to have their own possessions, so don’t go shifting all their toys at once – just rotate a few at a time.
Use Puzzle Feeders or Treat Dispensers
You can make mealtime more than just a brief moment where your cat inhales their food as quickly as possible (and sometimes throws up after). Interactive feeders and treat puzzles encourage your cat to “hunt” for their food, engaging their natural instincts and keeping their mind sharp.
These devices also help slow down eating. That’s good news for both the cat and your carpet.
Calming Background Noise
Too empty a home can make a cat feel unsettled. Despite their independent tendencies, they are social creatures. Domestic housecats like to be in the presence of their humans, whether they are being interacted with directly or not.
When you leave the house for long periods, they might feel lonely or uneasy. A decent solution is to leave a radio, television or computer on, playing something calming or a regular sound in your home. If your cat likes to cuddle while you watch your favourite show, it wouldn’t hurt to leave the show on for them in one of the rooms of your home.
Just don’t leave the volume on high. Your kitty will want to nap during the day at some point, and a blaring TV doesn’t help.
Provide Elevated Spaces and Cozy Hideaways
Cats love variety in their environment. Offer both high-up spots (like cat trees or wall shelves) and snug hiding places (like tunnels, boxes, or cat caves). Switching between perching and snoozing spots gives your cat a sense of choice and control over their day – two things cats truly value.
Additionally, some cats prefer to be up high or in cave-like settings. By allowing them to choose which instinct they want to lean into, you can help reduce their stress and occupy their mind. A cat with a favourite place to lie down might choose that over knocking stuff off the counter!
Make the Most of Your Evenings Together
No matter how enriching your home setup is, nothing replaces your presence. When you’re at home, really spend quality time playing, cuddling, or grooming your cat. This is the most important element to making a cat feel safe and loved, and in turn, keeping your home safe and intact.
Daily play and interaction strengthens your bond and reassures your cat that even though you’re gone during the day, you’ll always be coming home.