Are Indoor Cats Happy? Six Ways To Make Indoor Cat Living A Blast

Two Children Sitting on the Edge of a Bed Dangling a Cat Toy that a White Cat is Playing WithPhoto by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/kids-playing-with-white-cat-6864965/

Are indoor cats happy? It's up to you to make sure that your indoor only cat has all the stimulation they need.

Pet cats should be kept indoors. For an in-depth discussion of the issues surrounding indoor/outdoor cats, click here. Right here, I assume you’ve already decided to keep your cat indoors and want to know how to keep your cat from becoming bored, depressed, and having a behavioral problem. Here are some ways to imrpove indoor cat living for a bored indoor cat.

Are Indoor Cats Happy? 6 Things You Can Do to Make Sure the Answer is Yes!

Are Indoor Cats Happy? These Pet Cats on an Indoor Cat Living Climbing Structure Seem Happy!Photo by Arina Krasnikova: https://www.pexels.com/photo/pet-cats-on-the-playground-7725966/
  1. Give them places to climb. Cats need to explore and climb.  They often like to be high up and survey their surroundings. Something as simple as a bookcase with empty shelves could be what your cat needs. Or you could buy fancy cat trees, platforms attached to the walls for the cat to climb on called cat shelves, or cat hammocks
  2. Give them lots of toys. Once again, they can be simple like a box to climb in. I had a yardstick with yarn tied to one end that one of my cats enjoyed playing with.  You can also get cat toys with feathers, cat toys that are puzzles, cat toys that promote digging, tunnels, little balls, cat nip toys, little toys that look like mice, and on and on. My cat Poppy loves the laser pointer.
  3. Have a cat indoor garden. Many cats like something called cat grass, which is a mixture of grasses designed for feline tastes.  You can also grow cat nip. Be careful with your indoor plants because some indoor plants can be poisonous to your cat.  Click here for information about poisonous indoor plants.


Cat on a Leash Climbing a PostPhoto by Oleg Karsakóv: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cat-on-a-leash-climbing-a-post-12079113/
  1. Are indoor cats happy? If you really believe your cat needs to be outdoors, there are ways to make it safe for all. Give your cat controlled access to the outdoors. This could be a perch on a windowsill or a screened-in porch. You can buy netting that is specially designed to contain a cat in an area outdoors, so if you have a backyard, you can screen in a part of it for your cat. You could build a “catio” outdoors with lots of climbing areas. You could also harness your cat and take them for a walk. I have not ever done that, but there are a few people in my neighborhood who have. You can read my interview with one of them here.
  2. Have more than one cat. Sometimes cats can be mortal enemies, sometimes they seem indifferent to each other, but sometimes they can be friends and play with each other.  You might consider adopting a bonded pair. I fostered a pregnant cat once. She gave birth to three kittens and someone in an apartment in New York City adopted the whole family.
  3. Keep their litter box clean. I’ve heard recommendations to clean the cat box twice a day or as soon as the cat uses it.  There are some litter boxes that automatically clean themselves.  Just make sure it is clean for the cat because they don't like taking care of business in a dirty place.


Many people wonder, are indoor cats happy? The answer is yes, indoor cats can absolutely be happy and healthy. In fact, keeping a cat indoors is often safer than letting them roam outdoors, where they face dangers from traffic, predators, and diseases. Cats are adaptable creatures, and with the right environment, they can thrive indoors. However, it's important to provide them with stimulation and variety to prevent boredom or depression.

In addition to these tips, it's important to take practical steps to ensure your indoor cat's safety and well-being. For example, cats should still have a collar with your phone number on it and should be microchipped. This is particularly important if your cat ever escapes by accident. Being identified as your pet gives you a much higher chance of being reunited.

With a little effort, you can ensure your indoor cat remains happy, active, and content while staying safe inside.

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