Cats naturally crave vertical territory. Installing cat shelves gives your feline friend a safe place to climb, perch, and observe their domain. These shelves don’t just save space—they create an enriching environment that encourages climbing, jumping, and stretching, all while reducing stress and promoting confidence.
As an extra fun tip, consider placing shelves and cat trees near windows for extra entertainment, letting your cat watch birds or squirrels outside. Just make sure you don’t do this if you have stray or community cats outside. They may stress your kitty!
Puzzle Feeders & Treat Dispensers
Turn feeding time into a stimulating game with puzzle feeders and treat dispensers. These devices challenge your cat to “hunt” for their food, mimicking natural behaviors and providing both mental and physical exercise. Puzzle feeders can be store-bought or homemade, using items like egg cartons or ice cube trays. They’re proven to reduce stress, promote healthy weight, and decrease boredom-related mischief. Check out this Reddit feed for a list of DIY feeder and dispenser ideas.
Wind-up & Self-Propelled Toys
Cats are born hunters, and nothing sparks their instincts like a moving target. Wind-up or self-propelled toys, like rechargeable, interactive balls or wobbling mice, keep your cat engaged for hours. These toys move unpredictably, encouraging your cat to stalk, pounce, and chase, all while burning off excess energy. Many, like the Cheerble Ball for cats, offer hours of play on a single charge and reset themselves for continuous fun.
Wand Toys
Wand toys are a classic for a reason. With feathers, fabric, or plush critters attached, these toys let you interact directly with your cat, simulating the movement of prey. Not only do they provide great exercise, but they also strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Always supervise play with stringed toys to keep things safe.
For busy Atlanta cat parents, automatic wand toys are a game-changer. These gadgets move on their own, enticing your cat to leap, bat, and chase even when you’re not home. They’re perfect for keeping your cat entertained during long workdays or errands, ensuring your feline never gets bored. Plus, many of these toys are motion-activated, so your cat gets to play when he or she is in the mood.
Hide & Seek
Cats love to play games! While there may be a bit of a learning curve for this activity, cats are quick learners. And, the whole family can partake – feeding your kitty treats when he or she has found you! Learn more about how to play hide and seek with your cat here.
Fetch
Some cats even enjoy a game of fetch with soft balls or plush mice. Just toss and watch them chase and return their “prey.” These games stimulate your cat’s mind and satisfy their natural curiosity. Always let your cat catch the toy and avoid teasing them but not throwing the toy, as these can be frustrating for your kitty.
Toys that allow cats to paw at balls are just as effective when you can’t be there to throw their toys for them!
Scavenger Hunt
Scattering freeze-dried cat treats or a high quality, organic catnip in unexpected places around your home turns snack time into a rewarding scavenger hunt. Hide a few treats on shelves, inside puzzle feeders, or behind furniture. Your cat will love using their nose and brain to track down every last morsel, keeping them mentally sharp and physically active.
Speaking of catnip, Catit and Meowijuana makes catnip bubbles that can also be fun and safe for the whole family but will get your cat going!
7 Activities to Enrich Your Atlanta Cat Indoors
Enriching your Atlanta cat’s indoor life isn’t just about toys—it’s about tapping into their instincts and providing variety. With these seven activities, you’ll keep your feline friend healthy, happy, and endlessly entertained, no matter the weather outside. We use many of these activities during our cat sits to ensure your cat gets all the interaction they need!
Buckhead Pet Pals offers cat sitting and care for other species. We proudly serve Atlanta, Buckhead, Sandy Spring, Marietta, and Dunwoody.
Learn more about our onboarding process and scheduling software/app here. We welcome your questions and comments via phone at 404-303-0312 or email at office@buckheadpetpals.com. If you’d like to learn more about what it takes to work with Buckhead Pet Pals, check out our jobs page. Existing clients, please request dog walking services here.
Leave A Comment