How to keep an indoor cat entertained while you’re at work

Indoor cats tend to live longer, safer lives, but they rely on us to make home interesting. If you’re out at work all day, a little planning makes a big difference to a bored cat (and to your furniture).

Signs your cat is bored

  • Overgrooming or bald patches.
  • Scratching furniture, knocking things off shelves or chewing.
  • Night-time zoomies and early-morning wake-up calls.
  • Overeating, or pestering for food.
  • Sleeping even more than usual, or seeming flat.

Some of these can also be signs of stress or illness, so if behaviour changes suddenly, check in with your vet.

10 ways to keep an indoor cat busy while you’re out

  1. Play before you leave. Ten minutes with a wand toy in the morning tires out the “hunt” instinct. Finish with a small meal: hunt, catch, eat, sleep.
  2. Give them a window seat. Watching birds and passers-by is cat television. A window perch sticks on with suction cups, with no drilling, so it’s fine for renters.
  3. Leave a toy that moves by itself. Self-moving toys give your cat something to stalk while you’re out. Our butterfly spinner circles a butterfly on a springy wire around a steady base. Put interactive toys away afterwards if your cat tends to chew them.
  4. Make them work for food. Puzzle feeders and treat balls turn a meal into a challenge.
  5. Split their food into timed meals. An automatic feeder can serve a small meal at lunchtime, giving the day some structure.
  6. Rotate toys. Put most toys away and swap a few in each week. An old toy in a new place can feel brand new.
  7. Add boxes and paper bags. International Cat Care suggests offering safe household items like cardboard boxes or paper bags (handles removed) as cheap, novel things to investigate.
  8. Go vertical. Shelves, cat trees and a sturdy scratcher let cats climb, stretch and survey their territory.
  9. Create a hiding spot. A covered bed or box somewhere quiet gives them a safe place to retreat.
  10. Keep water fresh and appealing. Long, quiet days are easier with plenty to drink. See our guide on how much water a cat needs.

Should I get a second cat?

Some cats love company; many prefer being the only cat. If you’re considering it, speak to a rescue about a good match rather than assuming a friend will fix boredom.

A simple workday routine

  1. Before work10 minutes of play, then breakfast
  2. MiddayThe automatic feeder serves a small meal; time at the window
  3. AfternoonA self-moving toy or a puzzle feeder
  4. EveningA play session, dinner, a good scratch and a brush

Sources: International Cat Care; RSPCA cat care.