• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

713.863.9835

Email Us

Enrollment

  • JOIN OUR RUNNING TEAM
  • ADOPT
  • FOSTER
  • VOLUNTEER
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Medium
FFL Logo 2020

Friends For Life Animal Shelter

#BeUnsheltered

  • Our Animals
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Rabbits
    • Coming Soon
    • Seeking Fosters
    • Recently Adopted
    • Adoption Process
  • Friendr
  • Get Help
    • Enrollment
    • Pet Food Bank × Mini Clinic
    • Rescues × Other Shelters
    • Pet Behavior Support
    • Support for Animal Professionals
  • Resources
    • Pet Wellness
    • Pet Ownership
    • Pet Behavior
    • Crisis Response
    • Shelter Best Practices
  • Programs
    • Adopt
    • Volunteer
    • Foster
    • Behavior
    • Thinking Outside the Shelter
    • Fix Houston
    • #ProjectWARM
    • Houston Animal Survey
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
  • About Us
    • Mission & Vision
    • Our Shelter
    • Blog
    • News
    • Career Opportunities
    • FAQ
  • Donate
    • Make A Donation
    • Shop
    • Wishlist
    • Medical Cases
    • Donate to our Running Team
    • Support a Runner!

Feline Enrichment

Environmental enrichment can encourage a more normal range of behaviors in the animal and serve to constructively occupy the animal’s time and aid in reducing “boredom.”

March 6, 2019 by Friends For Life Leave a Comment

Environmental Enrichment Suggestions for Cats

Dr. Lore I. Haug with Texas Veterinary Behavior Services shares some cat environmental enrichment suggestions.

Enrichment for cats can help keep them happy (and healthy!) in the home and avoid “trouble” behavior that might result in them being surrendered to a shelter.


When considering the natural behavior of most felines, it is obvious that the average housecat receives very low levels of environmental stimulation. Most non-domestic animals spend the majority of their time foraging for food. In addition, they must seek out or construct resting areas and avoid predators and other natural hazards. Housecats spend only a small portion of their day eating because they do not have to forage for food. They are kept in static and often monotonous environments.

Insufficient stimulation can cause or exacerbate a number of behavior problems including hyperactivity, destructive chewing, excessive grooming, attention-seeking behavior, compulsive disorders and certain forms of aggression.

Environmental enrichment can encourage a more normal range of behaviors in the animal and serve to constructively occupy the animal’s time and aid in reducing “boredom.” Not all cats will be able to participate in all the suggestions that follow. Know your cat and its propensity for destroying and/or eating toys. Certain cats should only get certain toys while under direct supervision. All enrichment items should be rotated so the animal does not see the same items repeatedly every day.


  • Feed the cat from a Buster Cube or Roll-A-Treat ball.
  • Scatter food out across the floor in your house to make the cat search for each piece.
  • Stuff Kong toys full of various food items (or the cat’s meal) and freeze them overnight before giving them to the cat. (These can be given to the cat unfrozen as well.)
  • Divide portions of the cat’s meal into small used margarine containers with holes cut in them and hide them around the house for the cat to find.
  • Move the cat’s food bowl to a different location in the house every 1 – 2 days so the cat has to search for it.
  • Place cat food or treats inside a cardboard box or old towel/rag and allow the cat to tear the item apart to get to the food inside.
Pro Tip: Cut designs into the toilet paper rolls to make it more difficult!
  • Place sheds from reptiles or insects (or other animal skins) out for the cat to find and investigate. (Yeah… it sounds gross but… they like it.)
  • Add bullion (or other broths) to water and freeze into a popsicle in a variety of sizes of tupperware or dixie cups. You can add various pieces of cat-safe food items to these: cat food, cheese, meat, etc.
  • Give the cat old water bottles or milk jugs made of either cardboard or plastic. You can increase the cat’s interest by putting food items inside. (Always remove the plastic rings and the plastic caps before allowing cats to play with these items.)
  • Give the cat a scratching post or kitty condo. You can apply scents to these or hide food in or on them.
  • Obtain ornamental “cat shelves” that can be mounted on walls in decorative patterns. “Catify” your house!
  • Make single cat sized perches on windowsills (these can be purchased commercially), in bookcases, on appliances, etc. Rotate the location of these perches periodically. (Note that many cats enjoy resting in the sun and will move to find such spots throughout the day.)
  • Give the cat a stuffed toy to attack and “beat up.” Placing catnip on the toy may increase the cat’s interest.
  • Cats frequently like large mobile-like toys that move and jerk when they swat at them. Baby toys work for that.
  • Certain bird toys may be acceptable for cats and more appealing than dog or cat toys (but avoid anything with strings or tinsel, as they may be a hazard).
  • Get some kitty grass to grow.
  • Train your cat to wear a harness and leash so you can walk the cat outside.

These are merely a few suggestions to get you started. Feel free to be imaginative and come up with your own ideas. If you are unsure whether a particular idea is safe for your cat, give us a shout.

FacebookTweetPinPrint

Category iconBehavioral Resources Tag iconbehavior_training,  cat,  kitten,  pet ownership

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The #FFLArmy makes what we do possible.

Make a difference with a single or recurring contribution, or by starting a fundraiser.

Donate Now

Footer

Friends For Life Shelter

107 E 22nd Street
Houston, TX 77008

713-863-9835

Hours:
Wednesday - Monday: 11AM - 4PM
Tuesday: Appointment Only

Adoptable dogs can be met on an appointment basis.
Learn more

Petsmart Cattery

2902 S Shepherd Drive
Houston, TX 77098

Adoption Hours:
Monday - Friday:
11AM - 1PM, 5 - 7PM

Saturday - Sunday:
1-5PM

Upcoming Events

Jun 14
10:00 am - 11:30 am Event Series

Brazos Bookstore Weekly Storytime

Jun 14
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Books & Boops at Brazos Bookstore

Jun 15
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Event Series

Sunday Playgroup

Jun 16
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Event Series

FFL Monday Run Club

Jun 22
9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Heights Mercantile Market

View Calendar

Join Our Newsletter

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

   Email us at info[@]friends4life.org

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

© 2025 Friends For Life Animal Shelter. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit. | Website by Road Warrior Creative

  • Contact Us
  • Career Opportunities
  • Blog
  • Volunteer Portal
  • Official Documents
  • Privacy Policy