A 7-day home safari plan for a bored indoor cat

An indoor cat gets less exercise and far less to think about than a cat with a garden. Boredom shows up as nighttime zoomies, over-grooming, begging for food or sitting at the window and chattering. Try one small activity a day for a week and see which your cat reaches for.

The seven days

1. Monday, the window upgrade. Move a chair or a perch so your cat can see out, ideally somewhere with bird traffic. A bird feeder outside the window gives them free television.
2. Tuesday, food hunt. Hide eight to ten pieces of their daily dry food around one room instead of using the bowl. Start easy, then use higher and lower spots.
3. Wednesday, cardboard. Leave out an open cardboard box with a hole cut in the side. Free, and many cats prefer it to the toy you bought.
4. Thursday, wand session. Ten minutes with a wand toy, finishing with a catch and a meal.
5. Friday, new smells. Bring in a sprig of safe herb such as cat grass or a dried silvervine stick. Watch for rolling and interest.
6. Saturday, rotate the toys. Put away everything and bring out three toys they have not seen for a week. Rotation beats a pile.
7. Sunday, a climb. Add a stable step or shelf near a wall to make the room taller.

How to tell what works

Note which day your cat engaged longest. Make that the daily default and repeat it. Cats are creatures of routine, so two or three reliable activities beat a different one every day.

Check for weight and health

Indoor cats gain weight easily. If your cat is losing interest in play altogether, or their appetite or toilet habits change, speak to your vet before assuming boredom.

The Indoor Explorer Nook Box has a puzzle feeder, a wand and toys for this week.