10 Essential Supplies and Tips to Keep Your Cat Happy Indoors

As fun as the great outdoors may seem to your cat, there are some things you should be aware of. Traffic, other animals, and changing weather can all put your cat in danger and shorten its life. Keeping your cat happy inside is important for meeting their basic needs without putting them in danger by letting them go outside unsupervised. You might ask, “Are house cats happy?” and with the planned advancement of their environment, the answer is yes!

1. A cat scratching post is a must-have

When you have an indoor cat, it’s important to make your home as fun and comfortable as possible. Cats need places to jump up and down, hide, and rest. Give your cat a lot of scratching posts and soft beds that “soak up” their scent. This lets them claim their own space in the house and makes them feel calm and happy. Getting them cats scratchers with removable covers is very important for your cat’s health because they help them trim their nails like they would in the wild.

Cats also scratch to stretch out their claws, feet, and bodies. This makes your cat’s body make hormones that make it feel good and keep it healthy. Furthermore your furry little house predator uses scratching posts to get rid of stress or energy, or to “blow off steam.” Other than cats scratchers you can give your fur babies a place to climb and exercise by getting tall cat trees or cat shelves.

2. Give them a variety of toys

Cats are natural hunters. A home that is good for cats must have lots of toys. Leave them a lot of toys to play with on their own while you are gone. Mice with catnip in them, feathers, and even cardboard boxes are all good choices. Try to play with your cat for 10 minutes at least twice or three times a day. Even though they can play on their own, the best way to get them moving and bring out their predatory instincts is to lead them around the house with an interactive feather toy.

3. Install a cat door if necessary

A cat door inside the house is a great way to let your cat go to different rooms. Indoor cat doors can keep your other pets away from litter boxes and cat food, making your cat feel safe and secure in the house.

4. Consider adopting a second cat

If you already have a cat, you might want to get another one. Not all cars are lonesome creatures that prefer their solitude, despite what most people think. Most of the time, they get very close to a littermate or another animal friend. Cats get along well with each other and use up a lot of energy running after each other around the house. If you’re going to adopt a kitten, you should really try and get two. They will keep each other happy and out of trouble by tiring each other out with lots of playtimes.

5. Try giving them catnip and cat grass

Catnip is a fun way to make your cat’s day more interesting. For a treat, sprinkle some catnip on their favourite bed or cat tree. Catnip-filled toys are another way to get your cat to play all day. And with cat grass, you can bring some of the outdoors inside.

Your cat may like to eat grass to get more of the vitamins it needs. Folic acid, which is found in grass, helps move oxygen through the bloodstream. Some experts think that eating grass might also help cats with sore throats, while others think that cats do it just because they like the way it tastes and feels.

6. Provide different hiding/climbing spots

Give your cat lots of places to hide so that it feels safe and at home in your house. Warm tent beds, condos for cats, or even a simple cardboard box are all good options. Cats have a natural urge to hide, and it can be very stressful for them if they can’t get away from the noise and activity of the house when they need a break. You should also make sure your cat has a clean, private place to go to the bathroom.

7. Slowly introduce the outdoors

Walking indoor cats is very good for them! This is helpful for cats that like to run out the door because it gives them controlled times during the day to go outside and explore. It’s also a great way to help cats that are too fat lose some weight so they can be healthier and happier. It’s also a good idea to get them an ID tag and a cat collar with your information in case they get lost.

8. Respect their boundaries

It’s important to know your cat’s personality and stay out of their way. For example, if they won’t go for a walk no matter how long and hard you train them, that might be something they don’t want to do. Understanding your cat goes a long way towards making sure you give it a home that fits its needs.

When someone comes into a cat’s space, it can be very stressful for them. Learn how to read your cat’s body language so you can tell when it needs a break and let it interact with you and their surroundings on their terms.

9. Cat-proof your yard or balcony

If your cat still wants to go outside, you could build a fence around your yard or a “catio”. A catio could be a safely enclosed section of your balcony or yard to give cats safe and secure access to the outdoors, where they can bird watch and soak up some sun rays as they love to do that.

10. Spay or neuter your cat

Cats, especially indoor cats, should be spayed or neutered for many reasons. When cats aren’t fixed, they often have behaviour problems and tend to be aggressive. They will also spend a lot of time trying to get away so they can look for a mate in the neighbourhood. It’s hard to keep an indoor cat happy when it hasn’t been fixed.