4 Easy Ways To Keep an Indoor Cat Entertained and Active
Cats have no trouble at all finding the perfect spot in the house to nap, but make no mistake about it: These animals need plenty of exercise, too! While it's easy to take a dog for a daily walk and some outdoor playtime, getting an indoor cat's energy out can sometimes require a little more creativity.
According to the Animal Humane Society, cats of all ages need daily exercise, and it comes with all kinds of benefits-most importantly, helping them live as long as possible.
Getting enough exercise isn't just essential to your kitty's health; it's also what will keep them happy and out of trouble, because a tired cat is a well-behaved cat who isn't trying to turn your favorite sweater into their new favorite ball of yarn.
Supplying plenty of toys to keep them entertained is part of it, but how can you truly keep your indoor cat entertained without leaving the house? Read on for a few ideas to get started.
How To Keep an Indoor Cat Entertained and Active
1. Offer Plenty of Vertical Space
Giving your cat somewhere (and something) to climb will go a long way in keeping them happy and entertained. Not only do cats love to have the perspective of a higher vantage point, but they also enjoy the act of climbing in general.
As Young-Williams Animal Center points out, kitties have a natural instinct to climb, and of course, enough climbing will satisfy those exercise needs. It also gives them mental stimulation to be able to keep watch from a high point, so cat towers and climbing shelves are great for this.
2. Plan Your Play Ahead of Time
According to PetMD, cats are most active around dawn and dusk, making those the best times of day to play and interact with them. You'll want to keep your play sessions short, to about 10 to 15 minutes at a time. The younger they are, the more you'll want to play with them; schedule as many as 10 play sessions per day with a kitten and 2 to 3 with an older cat.
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3. Use Puzzle Feeders
If you have a food-motivated kitty, they might get a lot of stimulation out of using a puzzle feeder. You can fill these feeders with food or treats and let your cat go to town, which can be really helpful when you don't have the time to interact with them. You can try a slow feeder, which will keep them busy for a while, or an actual puzzle feeder, which will offer a bit more mental stimulation along the way as they attempt to figure out how to get the treats out.
4. Use an Exercise Wheel
Anyone who has a cat who can't seem to stop having the zoomies all over the house might want to consider using an exercise wheel for their kitty. It's similar to a hamster wheel, but obviously a lot bigger!
The downside to a cat wheel is that not all felines enjoy them, and they can be a bit pricy, but if your pet takes to it, it can be really beneficial to their health.
"They provide an outlet for cats to burn off excess energy and keep them physically and mentally active," veterinarian Patrik Holmboe told Rover. "They can also help to improve their overall health and well-being, including weight management. Just like in humans, generally, the more exercise an individual gets, the healthier [they are]!"
Ensuring that your cat is getting enough energy out and has enough mental stimulation isn't just good for them-it's also good for you, since it goes a long way in keeping them from finding more destructive ways to entertain themselves. Who doesn't want to avoid ripped-up carpet and scratched door frames?
It may take a little trial and error to figure out what their favorite toys and ways to play are, but once you figure it out, your cat will be so thankful.
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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 3:05 AM.