Dr Petra Hall's tips of keeping your cat living their best life by encouraging natural behaviours in healthy, playful ways you'll both love.
Our feline fur friends might seem content lounging on a windowsill, but behind that sleepy gaze lies a curious, intelligent predator in need of stimulation. Mental and physical enrichment is just as important as nutrition, cuddles, and vet care; it helps cats stay healthy, builds confidence, and can even reduce behaviours like scratching the couch or hiding under the bed.
Why enrichment matters:
Cats are natural hunters, climbers, and problem solvers. In the wild, they spend a huge part of their day exploring, stalking and “working” for food. While our indoor cats enjoy safety and comfort, they miss out on some of that natural mental stimulation. That’s where enrichment comes in, helping them live their best life by encouraging their natural behaviours in healthy, playful ways.
-
Bowl-free feeding: Ditching the dinner bowl is a great first step. Food puzzles and foraging feeders give your cat a rewarding challenge and mimic natural hunting behaviour. How about trying:
- Hunting Feeders: Perfect for scattering meals across the home
- KONG Wobblers: A fun option for active cats who enjoy batting and chasing
- Feline Fun Board: An all-in-one puzzle platform to explore with paws and nose
These tools help prevent boredom and encourage gentle activity — especially important for indoor cats or those on weight management plans.
-
Training and tricks: Cats can be trained — and they love it! Teaching your cat to sit, come, or follow a target stick is a great way to connect. Use tasty treats like Greenies or freeze-dried morsels and reward gently with each success. Training builds trust, confidence and gives your cat a sense of control. Start small and keep sessions short and positive. A great tool to try: Target Stick – ideal for clickerbased
games or basic trick training.
-
Think vertically: Cats feel safe and confident when they can view their world from up high. Consider installing cat shelves, creating cosy corners on top of bookshelves, or simply making space on your cupboard tops for a snooze spot. Vertical space lets your cat observe the world while feeling hidden — the perfect combo. Bonus: you’ll often notice a positive change in multi-cat households when everyone has their own perch!
-
What to avoid: While it might look fun, laser pointers are not recommended for cat play. Because your cat can never “catch” the light, it can create frustration and even compulsive behaviours toward light reflections. Instead, try wand toys or feather teasers that your cat can stalk, chase and finally catch!
- Everyday magic: Sometimes, the best enrichment is free! Cats love cardboard boxes, scrunched-up paper, and rotating new “discoveries” around the house. Even a new view out the window can make a big difference.
Remember: A curious cat is a happy cat. Whether it’s with food puzzles, gentle training, or vertical adventures, small changes can make a big impact on your fur friend’s wellbeing. Need advice tailored to your cat’s needs? Your vet can help recommend the right enrichment tools and feeding plan to support your feline’s unique personality.