Can't imagine a cat not having this toy': Your indoor cat is bored. Here's how to fix it

Indoor cats often experience boredom when they lack stimulating activities. Behaviors such as knocking items off surfaces, scratching furniture, chewing objects, or repeatedly seeking attention can indicate a need for more engagement. Excessive sleeping can also reflect misread energy levels rather than true contentment. Limited activity can raise health risks, including obesity, which can contribute to diabetes, especially when cats do not get enough exercise through enrichment and play. Research reported that 40% of cats seen at primary practices in the US were overweight or obese as young adults. When outdoor access is not possible, structured enrichment and play options can help increase daily excitement and activity.

"Things like knocking items off tables, scratching furniture, chewing on objects, or persistently seeking attention can all be a cat's way of saying, I'm bored and I need more to do,' said Stephanie Merlin, certified cat behavior specialist and founder of The Fulfilled Feline, a private practice offering behavioral consultations for cat owners."

"Excessive sleeping, she adds, is just as telling: We have a lot of preconceived ideas about cats being low-energy, aloof or independent, and those assumptions can lead us to misread what's really going on."

"Cats can develop health issues such as obesity that can lead to diabetes if not getting the proper amount of exercise through enrichment and play, said Dr Amy Smith, a veterinarian at Bentley Veterinary Services in Franklin, Tennessee."

"according to a paper published in Preventive Veterinary Medicine in 2025, 40% of cats seen at primary practices in the US had overweight or obese body condition as young adults."

Read at www.theguardian.com