Enrich Your Cat’s Environment for a Harmonious Kitty!

Over my years as a veterinarian, I’ve made many home visits to cats where I’ve tried to unravel the mystery of why a cat behaved a certain way. Often, I and the pet owners found that the home environment did not support the cat’s natural behavior. It could be anything from cats scratching in the wrong places because there were no scratching posts, to a cat urinating outside the litter box because several cats had to share just one box. Often, we don’t realize that the cat is missing something in its environment or that something is stressing the cat until the owner notices an unwanted behavior — only then do I get a call, like a cry for help. Instead, we should prevent problems by thinking about environmental enrichment throughout the cat’s life and prepare the cats early on for what life will present.

Take a look at the photo of the young cat Ofelia, who is training to travel by car and visit the veterinary clinic. She is rewarded for entering her carrier with treats and catnip toys.

All Your Cat’s Needs Should Be Met

Providing your cat with an enriched environment and meeting its needs increases activity while allowing the cat to thrive mentally and create positive experiences. When a cat thrives and feels safe, unwanted behaviors caused by stress or understimulation are prevented.

With 5 Strategies, You and Your Cat Will Go Far!

Think about your cat’s home environment and use these 5 strategies to make it safe and stimulating for your cat:

1. A safe retreat

2. Basic needs met for all cats

3. Opportunities for play and natural hunting behavior

4. A safe, positive, and consistent relationship between you and your cat

5. An environment that respects your cat’s sense of smell

My Home, My Castle!

For a cat, its home and territory mean everything. A common cause of stress is insufficient resources in the territory/home. This is especially important if you have indoor cats or multiple cats in the household. A colleague once beautifully described that as a cat owner, you should act like a waiter letting your cat choose from a menu filled with exciting options. As a starter — scratching posts in various materials and shapes. For the main course — hiding places and lookout spots that stimulate your cat’s senses. For dessert — toys that vary in scent and form, encouraging natural hunting play or play with mom and dad. You should act like the waiter and let your cat decide what it likes. When you have multiple cats, it’s important to place scratching posts, litter boxes, food bowls, and play areas in different parts of the home. If cats fight over sleeping spots, litter boxes, or scratching areas, they don’t feel safe, and stress increases.

Every Cat Needs a Safe Retreat

Feeling safe in its territory is fundamental for a happy cat. Cats like to have control, and sudden changes in the home are “bad news” according to the cat. Because cats evolved as small hunters but also prey, they feel safe if they have several lookout and hiding spots placed high up. Think three-dimensionally! Enrich the environment vertically. If you have a shy cat, there must be hiding places where it can retreat and remain unseen. A used cardboard box with a small hole can become a cozy refuge. Remember, every cat should have at least one safe retreat. Walk around your home and think like a cat — where does your cat like to lie and relax? A closet can serve as a cozy hideout where your cat can sneak in for a nap. In the photo below, you can see my neighbor’s cat Kajsa, who loves the top drawer in my closet — high up, on top of my knitted sweaters that smell like me. Place something soft that smells familiar to the cat or use calming pheromone sprays in the hiding spots you offer.

Even at the veterinary clinic, cats need a safe retreat — often their own carrier. In the photo below, you can see Frans discovering the cat shelf at Onsalaveterinären, where curious and shy cats can take refuge. A little jingly ball as a reward makes the exploration more exciting. Being able to hide is a mechanism that helps cats handle potentially stressful experiences.

Peek-a-Boo!

Cats love to hide while keeping an eye on their surroundings. Lookout spots should be wide enough for a cat to lie on. Where are the natural lookout spots for your cat? Maybe you can clear some decorations on your windowsills, and suddenly you have the perfect “cat TV” if you hang a fat ball for the birds during the cold months.

If you have multiple cats, minimize the number of “one-way” escape routes. Give your cat several escape options from sleeping places, feeding spots, and lookout places. If a dominant cat approaches, the cat using the resource should be able to flee without conflict. Remember, cats avoid conflicts whenever possible if given the chance. In the photo, there is a simple but small shelf that can work as a step to get higher, but it’s a bit small as a sleeping spot. The entire cat should be able to stretch out on a lookout spot.

Who Doesn’t Want Privacy in Their Thinking Spot?

A good rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat, plus one extra. Place the boxes in different parts of the home so each cat can use the litter box undisturbed. If you have multiple cats, they may have different preferences. Some cats like privacy and prefer a covered litter box. Others may want to keep an eye on their surroundings, so an uncovered box placed in a corner with no hidden angles and several escape routes may increase their sense of security. Consider where your cat spends most of its time and place the boxes accordingly. For shy cats, it’s especially important not to place the box where the cat might feel trapped if another cat or person approaches.

The litter box should be large enough for the cat. Studies show that cats prefer bigger boxes than many commercially available ones. A good size is 1.5 times the length of your cat. Respect your cat’s sensitive sense of smell — scoop the box daily, preferably twice a day, and clean it thoroughly once a week using mild cleaning agents. Avoid strong scents or perfumes, as smells pleasant to humans can stress a cat’s sensitive nose. Perfumed cat litter is designed for the owner’s preference, which doesn’t always align with the cat’s.

Meal Time

Food and water — every cat in the home should be able to eat and drink in peace. Some cats tolerate others nearby, but not all want to eat while being watched. If you have multiple cats, provide a food bowl and water bowl for each cat, placed in different areas of the house. Having access to both dry and wet food enriches the cat’s diet. I recommend introducing kittens to both textures, partly for variety but also because dry food is easier to use in food puzzles and activation toys, which are important for hunting play. Wet food also increases water intake and allows mixing in supplements or medications if your cat is ill.

Act Like a Cat

Cats need to engage in natural behaviors like scratching, playing, and hunting. We’ve discussed scratching in previous issues — provide your cat with ample scratching opportunities. If your cat scratches “inappropriate” places, it may be due to a lack of scratching posts or feeling insecure in its territory, leading to marking.

Play is a vital part of stimulating your cat’s life. Cats seem to prefer a variety of toys and games that trigger their hunting instincts. Short but frequent play sessions are better, as long sessions may bore your cat. If your cat loses interest, switching to a new toy after a break can rekindle the play.

Hunting is essential for your cat’s well-being. The hunt involves many stimulating moments: watching, stalking, chasing, catching, playing with, and eating the prey. Cats deprived of hunting or hunting-like play risk overweight, boredom, and frustration. You can encourage hunting behavior using food to entice your cat into play.

How Can Food Encourage Play?

Letting your cat search, stalk, and work for its food mimics how wildcats eat small meals throughout the day. Simply placing food in a bowl doesn’t reflect natural feeding behavior. Instead, use mealtime as an opportunity to enrich your cat’s environment throughout its life. Food puzzles — homemade or purchased — encourage your cat to think and use its skills to get the food hidden inside the toys. Many clever food puzzles are available, allowing your cat to eat smaller meals but more frequently. Start by finding out which food motivates your cat to work for it. Food puzzles provide excellent “brain exercise” for your cat. First, the cat identifies the food or treats inside using its senses (smell, sound, sight), building interest in extracting the goodies. Then the cat tries various methods to get the food, rewarded immediately, which encourages repeated attempts. Food puzzles also help teach tricks or reinforce positive behaviors like scratching the post instead of the sofa. Scatter food in several places so your cat uses its sense of smell to find it. You can also throw pieces of dry food for your cat to search out.

Play with Your Cat and Gain a Friend for Life

A cat that plays stays healthy both physically and mentally. Playtime also gives you, as a cat owner, a chance to strengthen your bond. Play often links to a cat’s hunting behavior and can be as rewarding as treats.

Tips for Playing with Your Cat:

• Ask your cat which toys it prefers. Toys that mimic hunting include wand toys with feathers. I like ones with steel wire so I can imitate prey on the ground or in the air for my cat to chase.

• Let your cat catch the “prey” and reward your cat for playing and spending time with you.

• Feather toys stimulate cats as they mimic flying prey like birds and insects. Soft, larger toys that cats can grab with claws and mouth also encourage play.

• Rotate toys weekly. Keep a toy box and select five “new” toys weekly, then rotate again the following week.

• Hide toys like food puzzles and let your cat figure out how to get them. Place toys in climbing trees or homemade activity balls.

• Use laser toys carefully. If your cat never catches the light, it may become frustrated. Play short sessions and reward with treats when your cat catches the laser dot.

• Schedule play sessions. Cats like routines and feel secure with regular social times (like play) with their owners from a young age.

Regular Vet Check-ups Are Essential

Even with a well-enriched environment, regular veterinary visits are crucial. Health problems can affect your cat’s behavior and overall well-being. Early detection can make all the difference — after all, a healthy cat is a happy cat!

Use Positive Reinforcement

Rewarding good behavior with treats, play, or affection strengthens your bond and encourages your cat to repeat those behaviors. Positive reinforcement builds trust and makes training enjoyable and effective.

Recognize Signs of Stress and Seek Help When Needed

Stress can show as excessive grooming, aggression, hiding, or inappropriate urination. If you notice these signs, don’t just adjust the environment — consult a vet or cat behavior specialist for guidance and support.

A Final Message for You and Your Cat

Every small effort to enrich your cat’s world is a step toward a happier, more harmonious friendship. With love, play, and security, you create a life where your cat can truly thrive and feel at home — because your home should be the perfect sanctuary for your beloved purr-fect companion!