When people hear the buzzword “enrichment,” they often think of elaborate climbing structures or complex puzzle feeders that are unattainable. But enrichment doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. In fact, you can make a massive difference to your cat’s wellbeing with just five minutes a day. And the golden point here is “consistency”. By Amanda , Resident Cat Behaviourist at YourCat
Why does enrichment matter?
Cats are innate hunters, and problem-solving is a natural behaviour too. Without opportunities to express these instincts, they can become stressed, bored, anxious, or frustrated, leading to unwanted behaviours like scratching furniture, predatory aggression or seeking attention. Enrichment provides mental and physical stimulation, helping to keep your cat happy and healthy.
So when you think you are simply “playing” with your cat, you are actually mimicking the hunting experience for them.
Quick enrichment ideas you can try today
- The hide and seek trail: Take a handful of your cat’s dry food or treats and scatter them across a room or hide them under small bits of paper. It transforms mealtime into a forage hunting expedition.
- Forage Fest: Place a paper bag or cardboard box on the floor and let your cat investigate. The crinkle of paper, the new smell and the thrill of exploring a “new den” can keep them entertained. Adding a catnip toy or silvervine in there elevates this experience too.
- Wand toy workout: Even a short session with a fishing-rod style toy can mimic hunting. Move it like prey, darting it back and forth and moving it away from your cat rather than simply waving it around or taking it up to your cat. Mice don’t present themselves to cats to be hunted, and part of the enjoyment for your cat is the hunt, the chase and the catch.
- Mix it up: Rotate your cat’s toys, swap blankets daily between resting spots, or move a scratching post to a new area. These simple changes keep their environment fresh and encourage them to investigate. It's best to avoid Catnip in a multi-cat home, as this can be very stimulating.
- Scent their world: Rub a cloth on one cat and let another sniff it, and introduce safe calming cat attractants like Matatabi, Honeysuckle and Valerian. You can add these into a sock and tie a knot at the end, then leave them to enjoy. Olfactory play enriches their world in ways we can’t even imagine.
Consistency over duration
The key is regularity. A few minutes every day is more valuable than one long play session at the weekend. Short bursts fit into your schedule and give your cat frequent outlets for their natural behaviours. Cats with access to the outdoors don’t hunt for hours; they hunt in short bursts of energy, so your play sessions should ideally mimic this.
So next time you have five spare minutes, put your phone down, grab a toy or a treat, and step into your cat’s world. You’ll be surprised at how much difference the power of play makes!
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