The 5 signs that reveal your cat is bored – and what to do about it
From destroying the furniture to excessive sleeping, how to recognise feline boredom and what you can do to help.
From destroying the furniture to excessive sleeping, how to recognise feline boredom and what you can do to help.
Cats are known for being independent. Leave them to it, we think, and they’ll be fine. Yours might sleep most of the day or they might prowl the kitchen counters, knocking things off shelves for no apparent reason.
But excessive sleep and low-level chaos aren’t inevitable cat behaviours, say experts. They can be signs of boredom. “Boredom is becoming a bigger problem,” says Dr Madeleine Totham, a vet and cat behaviourist. “People don’t necessarily recognise it happening.”
It’s tempting to blame indoor life. In the UK, nearly a third of cats live exclusively inside, according to the vet charity PDSA. Yet being indoors isn’t necessarily the problem – it’s what that indoor world is like.
Here’s how to spot the signs of boredom and what to do about it.
Does your cat stalk your feet under the duvet or pounce on anything that moves? It might feel like aggression, but it’s not. It’s boredom.
“Bored cats find their own fun,” says Lucy Hoile, a cat behaviourist and author of The Book Your Cat Wishes You Would Read (RRP £18.99, Orion Spring). “Often, they’ll chase anything that’s moving. You see the same behaviour during play as you see during hunting. They’ll stalk, lock eyes on something, run towards it, grab it and bite it.”
True aggression is different: it might be a swipe or a lunge and tends to be fast and defensive. “It won’t feel fun or bouncy,” she says.
Cats who fight each other may be bored, too. “One cat may want an easy life and one has way more energy,” says Hoile. The higher-energy cat needs something to keep them occupied.
Give your cat a proper outlet for its hunting instincts. Cats need the full sequence: stalk, chase, pounce, grab. A wand toy with a small stuffed animal on the end works well.
Many cats prefer short, frequent sessions. “I’d recommend one minute three or four times a day,” says Hoile. Aim for dawn and dusk, when cats are naturally most active.
A bit of scratching is normal; deconstructing your house is not. “Often, boredom starts with subtle things like clawing the carpet or sofa,” says Dr Totham. “Low-level destructive behaviours then intensify.”
Humping and over-grooming can suggest the same issue. “Humping often comes from cats just looking for something to do,” says Hoile. Over-grooming is often an attempt to self-soothe.
Scratching posts help, but you still need to address the cause. Dr Totham recommends structured play twice a day, with toys left out in between. “Cats get bored really quickly,” she says. “Make sure they’ve got different toys to play with every day.”
Variety is important. “Stimulation should appeal to all five senses,” says Hoile. Mix textures, sounds and sizes. Get some cat grass or pet-safe bubbles (like children’s bubbles, but often with catnip), or sprinkle scents like catnip, valerian or silver vine in their toy box. These scents stimulate arousal so make sure they have a toy nearby so that they can expend their energy.
Cats are wired to climb. Outside, it’s about surveying their territory to keep them safe. Inside, it’s about interest.
“When they climb to high places, it can be a sign they need a more stimulating environment,” says Hoile. They might like to sit on the top of the fridge or a bookcase – or they might decide that this high place is going to be you.
“If you’re brushing your teeth and your cat launches themselves at you, they’re looking for a new area to explore,” she says.
Install cat shelves or invest in a tall cat tree. “We need to get them running and jumping to different levels and using all the space in the home, not just the floor,” says Hoile.
Some cats follow you everywhere. They weave around your legs, interrupt you when you’re on the phone and appear on video calls. Sometimes it’s affection; sometimes it’s need. “If they’re an indoor cat, the owner is essentially providing all the entertainment,” says Dr Totham.
Some breeds, such as Siamese and Maine Coons, are naturally vocal. But persistent meowing can signal frustration. “Expressions of frustration tend to be loud and vigorous,” says Dr Totham. “If they’re meowing or knocking things off the table, they’re trying to get your attention.” In more serious cases, they can even become aggressive towards their owner.
Add a routine to their day. “When they understand their needs will be met, they’re less likely to become frustrated,” says Dr Totham. They learn interaction is coming, so they don’t have to demand it constantly.
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Cats sleep up to 18 hours a day, but that still leaves plenty of time for them to be active. “If your cat is sleeping a lot, it could be because they haven’t got anything better to do,” says Hoile.
Some aren’t fully asleep at all; they’re just disengaged. They might have displayed signs of boredom that have been ignored.
“Now when you try to play with them, they’re over it,” says Dr Totham. “They might even feign sleep.”
Combine food with stimulation. Hide dry food around the house, use puzzle feeders (Dr Totham recommends ones shaped like mice) or switch to small, frequent meals.
Most cats get two meals a day in a bowl. If they were in the wild, they would hunt ten to 15 times a day.
If your cat will live mostly indoors, energy levels matter. Bengals, Savannahs and Sphynxes tend to be more active. Ragdolls and older British Shorthairs may be calmer, but they still need stimulation.
Whatever the breed, focus on your individual cat’s temperament. And if you’re getting kittens, consider two. “Two indoor kittens could happily spend all day playing together inside,” says Hoile.
If space allows, a catio (a secure outdoor enclosure with perches and hiding spots) can really help. “It gives them extra stimulation from the outside world, even if it’s just new smells and sensations,” she says.
Some are big enough for a table and chairs so you can sit in it yourself, which, for your cat, might make them even better.
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