Signs Your Cat is Bored – and How to Help
How to spot boredom in your cat and keep them happy and engaged.
Cats may seem like they spend all day napping, but they still need mental and physical stimulation. Without enough enrichment, boredom can quickly set in, leading to stress and behavioural problems.
Here are common signs your cat is bored – and practical ways to help them thrive.
🐾 Signs your cat is bored
✅ 1. Excessive sleeping
While cats naturally sleep a lot, boredom can make them sleep even more out of a lack of stimulation.
✅ 2. Overeating or weight gain
Bored cats may graze out of habit rather than hunger, leading to unwanted weight gain.
✅ 3. Destructive behaviour
Scratching furniture, knocking objects off shelves, or chewing inappropriate items can be signs of boredom and frustration.
✅ 4. Over-grooming
Licking or biting their fur excessively, sometimes to the point of hair loss, can be a stress response to boredom.
✅ 5. Increased vocalisation
Constant meowing, yowling, or attention-seeking can signal that your cat is under-stimulated.
✅ 6. Restlessness or hyperactivity
Zoomies are normal, but if your cat seems constantly restless without play or enrichment outlets, boredom could be the cause.
🐾 How to help a bored cat
✅ Provide interactive play daily
Use wand toys, feather teasers, or laser pointers for 10-15 minute play sessions to mimic hunting behaviour.
✅ Introduce puzzle feeders and slow feeders
Turn mealtime into enrichment time with feeders like the Catit Senses Food Tree, encouraging natural foraging instincts.
✅ Rotate toys regularly
Keep toys fresh and exciting by swapping them out weekly to maintain your cat’s interest.
✅ Create vertical spaces
Cat trees, shelves, or window perches allow your cat to climb, observe, and feel secure.
✅ Offer scratchers and scratching posts
Scratching is a natural behaviour that keeps claws healthy and relieves stress.
✅ Use enrichment toys for independent play
Balls, tunnels, and treat-dispensing toys keep your cat busy when you’re working or out.
✅ Stimulate their senses
Open windows with secure screens for fresh air and birdwatching, or offer catnip and silvervine for sensory enrichment.
Keep boredom at bay
Preventing boredom is key to your cat’s happiness, health, and behaviour. Explore our range of toys, enrichment feeders, and furniture to keep your cat engaged and content every day.