Cats are curious by nature, and without enough stimuli in their living environment, they can quickly become bored or frustrated. Boredom often turns into behaviours that leave cat parents feeling stressed, confused or concerned.
Fortunately, this is easily preventable. Here's how to tell if your cat is bored, why enrichment is important, and how cat toys help keep your kitty happy and healthy.
How can you tell if your cat is bored?
Boredom in cats isn’t always obvious, but there are common signs many pet parents overlook.
Some signs your cat may need more enrichment include:
- Excessive meowing
- Knocking items off tables or shelves
- Overgrooming or chewing on fur
- Scratching furniture more than usual
- Sleeping more than normal with little interest in play
- Other destructive, attention-seeking behaviours
These behaviours aren’t your cat being "bad." They’re often your cat’s way of communicating that they are bored or stressed.
Why do indoor cats get bored easily?
Indoor life is safer for cats, but it can also be predictable. In the outdoors, cats would spend a large part of their day hunting and exploring. Without those outlets, indoor cats need other sources of mental and physical stimulation.
Common boredom triggers include:
- Lack of interactive play
- Limited opportunities to "hunt", explore or problem-solve
- Long stretches of time alone
- Toys that never change
Even a well-loved cat can feel under-stimulated if their environment stays the same day after day.
Why is enrichment important for cats?
Enrichment helps reduce stress and boredom, prevent unwanted behaviours like destructive scratching, and keeps kitty happy and healthy.
Other benefits of sufficient enrichment include:
- Improved mood and confidence
- Healthy exercise
- A stronger bond between your cats, or between you and your cat
Simply put, a stimulated cat is a happier cat!
What types of cat toys help with boredom?
Not all toys are the same. Cats thrive on novelty, variety and toys that tap into their natural instincts.
Effective enrichment toys often include:
- Toys that encourage chasing, pouncing and batting
- Items with different textures (e.g. wool, felt or burlap) sounds (bells or crinkle) or smells (catnip or silvervine)
- Puzzles that present an exciting challenge
- A mix of toys that are suitable for solo play and interactive play
Rotating toys and introducing new ones regularly can make a big difference, even for cats who seem uninterested in play at first.
How can a subscription box help keep cats engaged?
Monthly or every-other-month cat subscription box, meowbox
One of the hardest parts of combatting boredom is keeping playtime exciting. The key to adequate feline enrichment is providing variety and novelty.
The cat subscription box meowbox helps by:
- Introducing fun new toys and tasty treats regularly
- Giving your cat something exciting to explore every month, or every other month
- Making enrichment effortless for cat parents
How does meowbox help with cat enrichment?
Monthly or every-other-month cat subscription box, meowbox
meowbox toys are created to encourage natural and healthy play behaviours like chasing, batting, scratching and bunny kicking.
Why cat parents love meowbox:
- New themed toys and tasty treats arrive every month or every other month (depending which plan you choose), keeping playtime fresh and preventing boredom
- Toys and treats are thoughtfully selected or designed with kitty's instincts in mind
- You can substitute edible items with an extra toy, if your cat is picky or has a special diet
- Cancel or skip anytime
Plus, every box sold helps feed a shelter cat.
Monthly or every-other-month cat subscription box, meowbox
If your cat is showing signs of boredom, small changes can make a big difference. Try adding more intentional play, rotating toys, and introducing new forms of enrichment regularly.
If you want a convenient way to keep kitty entertained, meowbox delivers exciting cat toys and delicious treats to your door every month, so your cat always has something new to explore.
Try your first meowbox of cat goodies here!