Cats kept indoors are safe from traffic, fights and theft, and many live long, healthy lives. The trade-off is that everything a cat would normally do outside — climb, patrol, scratch, hunt, hide and watch — has to happen inside your home. Boredom shows up as over-grooming, night-time zoomies, scratching the sofa or tension between cats. The fixes are mostly cheap and quick.
1. Go vertical
Height makes a cat feel safe and effectively multiplies your floor space. A tall, stable cat tree by a window is the single best purchase for an indoor cat. Add a wall shelf or two, clear the top of a bookcase, or put a padded perch on a radiator. If you have more than one cat, make sure there are several high spots so nobody has to compete.
2. Give them something to look at
A window perch overlooking a garden, bird feeder or busy street is cat television. If you can safely secure a window with a cat-proof screen, fresh air and smells add even more interest. In a flat with limited views, a rotating selection of boxes and paper bags in new positions does a surprising amount.
3. Scratching that beats the sofa
Scratching is not a behaviour problem; it is maintenance and marking. Provide at least one tall, sturdy vertical post (taller than your cat at full stretch) and one horizontal scratcher, placed near where the cat already scratches and near sleeping spots. Our scratching post guide explains what to look for.
4. Make them hunt for food
- Swap the bowl for a puzzle feeder or scatter dry food across a snuffle mat.
- Hide small portions around the flat so the cat has to patrol.
- Use a timed feeder for a small meal in the early hours if dawn wake-ups are a problem.
5. Play like prey
Two sessions of ten minutes a day with a wand toy mimic the hunt: let the toy skitter, hide and freeze, and always let the cat catch and “kill” it at the end, ideally followed by a treat or meal. Rotate toys weekly so they stay novel. Laser pointers frustrate many cats because there is nothing to catch — if you use one, finish on a physical toy.
6. Resources: one each, plus one
For litter trays, food stations, water bowls and resting spots, the rule of thumb is one per cat plus one extra, spread around the home rather than lined up together. Cats prefer to drink away from where they eat, so put water in a separate spot — a fountain encourages many cats to drink more.
7. Safe plants and hazards
Lilies are extremely toxic to cats and should never be in a home with a cat. Many other plants cause stomach upsets. Cat grass, catnip and valerian are safe and enjoyable. Secure windows and balconies, keep washing machines and tumble dryers closed, and store string, elastic bands and hair ties away.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cruel to keep a cat indoors?
No, provided the home meets the cat’s needs for space to climb, scratch, play, hide and observe. Cats with health conditions, in busy urban areas or near main roads are often safer indoors.
How much space does an indoor cat need?
Quality matters more than square metres. A one-bedroom flat with vertical space, window views, scratching posts and daily play is better than a large house without them.
Do indoor cats need companions?
Not necessarily. Cats are not pack animals, and an unsuitable second cat can create stress. If you do want two, kittens raised together or cats already bonded in a rescue are the best bet.
Why does my indoor cat go mad at night?
Cats are most active at dawn and dusk. A proper play session followed by a meal before bed, and a timed feeder for the early hours, usually settles night-time energy.
