Humans and cats have coexisted for thousands of years, but our modern homes don’t always match their natural instincts. With a few thoughtful tweaks, you can create a space that feels safer, richer and more engaging for your feline friend. Here are 10 ways to make your home more cat-friendly without compromising your homes style.
1. Create vertical space
Cats instinctively seek out high places because elevated positions offer safety, visibility, and a strong sense of territory. By adding shelving, a tall multi-level scratching post, or clearing space on top of sturdy furniture, you can give your cat room to climb and perch without sacrificing style or floor space. Vertical spaces are especially valuable in smaller homes or flats, as they effectively “add” extra square footage from your cat’s perspective. A mix of heights keeps things interesting and allows them to survey their kingdom in comfort.
2. Provide a variety of scratching options
Scratching is more than a quirky habit — it’s essential for claw maintenance, stretching, and scent marking. Giving your cat both vertical and horizontal scratching options, such as a tall sisal post, a low cardboard pad, and perhaps a slanted scratcher, lets them choose what feels natural for different moods and muscles. Positioning scratchers near favourite lounging spots, doorways, or areas where they’ve tried scratching before increases the chance they’ll use them. Over time, this reduces wear on your furniture and fulfils a very real behavioural need.
3. Add cosy hiding spots
Even the most sociable cats need time to retreat and recharge. Providing dedicated hiding places — like a hooded bed, a quiet cubby, a cardboard box with a blanket, or a cosy gap under a chair — gives your cat a sense of security when the world feels a bit too busy. These hideaways mimic the sheltered dens cats naturally seek out for resting or avoiding potential predators. Having access to safe, quiet spaces can reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and prevent tension in multi-cat households.
4. Offer daily enrichment through play
Daily play sessions aren’t just a treat; they’re vital for physical fitness, mental stimulation, and behavioural wellbeing. Wand toys encourage natural hunting sequences, puzzle toys challenge the mind, and fast-moving balls or rollers appeal to the chase instinct. Just five to ten minutes of focused interactive play a couple of times a day can help prevent boredom, anxiety, and unwanted behaviours such as over-grooming or night-time restlessness. Swapping toys in and out every few weeks keeps everything feeling fresh and exciting.
5. Introduce feeding puzzles
Puzzle feeders tap into a cat’s natural foraging behaviour by turning mealtimes into a mentally stimulating challenge. These slow-feeding options can be invaluable for cats prone to gobbling food, as they encourage steady, thoughtful eating and reduce tummy upsets. You don’t need to invest in lots of gadgets — simple DIY puzzles using egg boxes, muffin tins, or paper rolls work just as well. Regular foraging activities help keep indoor cats engaged and can be especially beneficial for cats who spend long periods alone during the day.
6. Maximise window views
A good window perch can turn an ordinary view into hours of entertainment for an indoor cat. Whether it’s people passing by, trees swaying, or birds visiting the garden, these ever-changing sights offer stimulation that supports a cat’s mental health. A cushioned windowsill shelf, radiator hammock, or repositioned armchair can make the spot irresistible. Adding a bird feeder outside (at a safe height and distance) creates a live-action wildlife channel your cat will likely check each day, helping keep boredom at bay.
7. Check that your houseplants are safe
Many houseplants look lovely but can pose a real health risk if a curious cat decides to chew on them. Popular plants such as lilies, philodendrons, monstera, and pothos are all toxic to cats and should be kept well out of reach or replaced entirely. Choosing safe alternatives — like spider plants, cat grass, calathea, or certain ferns — allows you to maintain a green, calming home without worry. It’s a simple switch that helps protect inquisitive cats and avoids late-night emergencies.
8. Make litter access easy and stress-free
The litter area plays a bigger role in feline wellbeing than many people realise. A spacious, accessible tray placed in a quiet but not isolated spot makes your cat feel comfortable and reduces the chance of accidents. The general rule is one box per cat plus one extra, giving everyone options and minimising territorial disputes. Covered boxes can trap odours and make some cats feel confined, so an open style often works better. Keeping the tray clean and odour-free encourages good habits and contributes to overall happiness.
9. Give them a predictable routine
Cats flourish when their days follow a rhythm. Feeding, playtime, grooming, and quiet hours that occur around roughly the same times each day help build a sense of safety and allow your cat to anticipate what’s coming next. Routine is especially important for nervous cats or multi-cat homes where structure can reduce conflict. You don’t need a strict timetable — simply maintaining a consistent pattern helps your cat feel secure, reduces stress, and often leads to improved behaviour and better sleep.
10. Choose toys and accessories that suit your space
Creating a cat-friendly environment doesn’t mean transforming your home into a theme park. Many modern accessories are designed to blend seamlessly with contemporary décor, from compact cat trees to minimal wall-mounted shelves. Tuck slim scratchers against furniture legs, choose foldable tunnels you can store between play sessions, or opt for elegant beds that double as interior features. A few well-chosen items can provide all the enrichment your cat needs while keeping your home tidy, calm, and stylish.
