Tiny changes often make a big difference, especially when it comes to the pets who enrich our lives. The truth is, you don’t have to become The Cat Whisperer to be the MVP to your cat.
With a few minor adjustments and some consistency, you’ll unlock an entire new side of your furry friend. Below, we go over some small ways to make a big impact that will strengthen your bond.
Toys and Participation
A lot of cat parents buy a scratching post and a couple of crinkle balls and call it good, but your cat truly appreciates toys that encourage mutual participation.
A feather wand is a great start, although your cat might not take to it right out of the gate. If such is the case, put it on the floor and let your cat sniff it out. Your cat may begin to bat it around and gradually become more interested. Next, slowly start picking up the wand and dangle it near your cat. Try not to put the thing right in your cat’s face or wave it too erratically in the early stages.
Slowly but surely your cat will become more and more engaged. Ultimately, your cat may even start to whine at you when wanting to play with the wand.
Pro Tip:
There are fixed-handle feather wands (these toys look almost like short fishing poles) but there are also feather wands with collapsible handles, which are convenient for storage. Make sure that any wand you use does not incorporate string. Strings, tinsel, or yarn beyond 5-6 inches can cause a linear foreign body (intestines bunching up), which requires immediate emergency care.
Wire teaser toys, like the classic Cat Dancer style, use flexible spring steel and simple cardboard (or a feather) fixed to the end to mimic the erratic movement of prey, making them an easy, low-risk way to encourage daily hunting and play.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Rotation is more important than quantity
- Novelty matters more than price
- Prey-mimicking toys are ideal
Rotation: Your cat doesn’t need a dozen toys strewn about the house. 2-3 engaging toys your cat is currently into will do the trick, and one of those toys might be something as simple as a small ball with a tassel on it. Switch out toys regularly to keep your cat engaged.
Novelty: In some cases, your cat may be more interested in a piece of tissue paper than a toy you spent $50 on. A good rule to go by: the more exotic/complicated the toy, the less likely your cat is going to adopt it early on. Keep it simple when you’re starting out. Complicated toys take time to adopt and incorporate into daily play.
Prey-Mimicking Toys: Food puzzles and toys that mimic hunting typically keep cats engaged.
Key Takeaway:
Short bursts of interactive play mimic hunting behavior and help reduce stress and boredom. Play with your cat daily, preferably for a set amount of time. Aim for two daily play sessions of 10-15 minutes.
Incorporating Treats
Toys that incorporate treats are great for cats – puzzle feeders serve as a prime example. Any device or contraption that will make it a challenge to get a bite to eat is beneficial, so long as it does not harm or cause stress to the cat.
Treats are enrichment tools that will help bring the best out of your cat. Fill puzzle feeders with treats, toss or roll them around, and hide them to diversify play. Use food puzzles as a jumping off point to eliminate free feeding.
Adopt a “No Forced Cuddling” Policy with Your Cat
Cats are cuddly and adorable, and there is no way to avoid that. However, practicing restraint when you want to be affectionate with your cat is the considerate way to go. When holding a cat, it’s typically best not to roll cats on their back. Hold them upright and support their whole body from underneath. Make sure to help them feel secure in your arms.
Feline behaviorist Beth Pasek notes in Understanding Cat Behavior that many feline behaviors we interpret as affection are rooted in a cat’s need for control and predictability. When cats are allowed to choose when and how they interact, they’re more likely to seek out contact – and enjoy it.
There’s a reason why most cats typically gravitate to the person who pays the least amount of attention to them. We hate to say it, but pretend like you’re ignoring your cat and it’s only a matter of time before they start initiating contact with you. Play hard to get – they’ll let you know they want affection by lying close to you or rubbing against you.
Many affectionate cats will call on you when they want to be held or even jump up on your lap when wanting affection.
A Note on Overstimulation
Some cats enjoy affection in short, specific doses. For these cats, just a few strokes may be the sweet spot. Beyond that, the same touch that once felt comforting can start to feel overwhelming.
When this happens, cats may thrash their tail, gently nip, paw, or shift away from you. This isn’t aggression – it’s communication. They’re essentially saying, “That’s enough for now.” Recognizing and respecting your cat’s limit helps prevent accidental scratches and builds trust over time. With consistency and patience, your cat may enjoy being pet for longer durations.
The Litter Box
Litter boxes are environments in and of themselves. The more you can look at the litter box area as such in lieu of looking at it like a utility, the better. Keep in mind that cats have a lower tolerance for questionable bathrooms than humans.
Beth Pasek also notes that cats rely heavily on environmental cues to feel safe and secure. Small disruptions – noise, foot traffic, or lack of privacy – can influence behavior far more than people realize, especially when it comes to sensitive activities like using the litter box.
Did You Know?: Cats often show stress or discomfort first through changes in litter box behavior.
Cleanliness is Not an Option
Cats require clean litter boxes, and anything less can lead to issues occurring at the litter box or litter box avoidance altogether.
Scoop your cat’s litter box twice daily and keep an extra litter box, which provides a convenient second option. If you have more than one cat, have more than one litter box.
Provide your cat with an open box design and make a careful selection when it comes to height. Senior cats and kittens need litter boxes that sit closer to the ground. As an extra measure, try to position your cat’s litter box so it is not in a corner. Your cat would prefer a clear escape path.
Respect Your Cat’s Sense of Smell
It’s important that you and your cat’s environment support your cat’s advanced sense of smell. Cats rely heavily on scent; new smells, people, or changes can be stressful, so doing what you can to limit and manage sensory input is important.
Avoid using scented litters as scented litters accommodate cat parents – not cats. This is exactly why unscented, low-dust litters tend to align better with feline biology. When it comes to cat litter, scents don’t make sense.
Relocating Your Cat’s Litter Box
If your cat’s litter box is in a high-traffic area, it is best to move it slowly to a quieter space. Moving the litter box all at once can confuse your cat. This may lead to accidents outside the box or cause your cat to avoid using it.
Instead, use a gradual two-box method.
Start by placing the original litter box in the new, low-traffic location. Then place a second, identical litter box in the original spot.
Each day, move the second box a few feet closer to the new location. Continue this process until both boxes are together in the desired area. Once your cat is consistently using the new location, you can remove the second box.
Key Takeaway:
When litter box needs are met, behavior problems often disappear on their own. When litter box needs are neglected or ignored, issues are sure to arise.
Environmental Enrichment Is About Choice, Not Clutter
Your home doesn’t have to look like a zoo to give your cat a happy life. Environmental enrichment is about having a thoughtful selection of options for your cat, not an endless array of gadgets.
Make sure that key environmental resources are readily available – food, water, litter box, and a place to rest. Having multiple resources in different areas will help avoid competition in multi-cat households.
Another simple way to enrich your cat’s environment is providing a perch or two for your cat to sit and observe its domain. Elevation increases confidence – cats are the ultimate observer. Give your cat one or two spots to quietly judge you from to keep things copacetic. Your cat appreciates any increase in 3-dimensional space. Keep in mind, an area with a good perch will often be your cat’s favorite place.
Tip for Multicat Households: Have one perch per cat and make sure that the perch can only accommodate one cat. The situation to avoid is two cats fighting for territory, which can result in a fall and an injury – which will then result in a vet visit. We’d like to help you avoid that when you can.
Ambience is Everything
Cats are the ultimate vibe checkers. They pick up on even the most subtle nuances in energy. Keep a calm, friendly, happy disposition when interacting with your cat. Cats are more receptive to higher pitched voices than lower pitched. Studies have shown that cats respond more positively to higher-pitched, melodic human voices, which more closely resemble the frequency patterns cats use when communicating with one another.
Avoid making sudden movements and try to keep abrupt or piercing noise to a minimum as these could initiate a stress response. As far as soundtracks go, if your cat could put together a playlist, they’d likely enjoy listening to soothing nature sounds over loud techno music.
Real Life Example: If you find yourself getting frustrated with someone on the phone, it might be a good time to step into another room. Your cat will appreciate the calmer atmosphere – and honestly, so will you.
Key Takeaway:
Predictable environments help lower stress levels and support more relaxed, easygoing behavior in cats. Cultivating a calm, predictable environment provides a variety of benefits to cat parents as well.
Give Your Cat Stuff to Watch
Windows are ideal for cats – visual stimulation reduces boredom. If where you live permits, having a bird feeder outside your cat’s favorite window will add to the visual smorgasbord.
Cat TV is good for workdays. Turn on your cat’s favorite programs – cat TV often consists of video with either nature sounds (birds in particular), footage of squirrels and other critters, or even CGI generated bugs crawling around on the screen, which serve as engagement/entertainment while you’re away.
Key Takeaway:
People think cats entertain themselves. Just because they don’t require constant participation (like, say, dogs), doesn’t mean they don’t need stimulation. Actually, they require just as much engagement as any other domesticated animal. Ignoring this fact can lead to behavioral issues.
Small Changes, Real Impact
The most meaningful improvements in your cat’s life rarely come from sweeping changes. They come from paying attention, making small adjustments, and letting your cat tell you what works.
Whether it’s rotating toys, improving the litter box setup, or creating a calmer, more enriching environment, these simple shifts can add up to noticeable improvements in behavior, comfort, and overall wellbeing.
At Dr. Elsey’s, our approach has always been rooted in problem-solving. Every product we develop is designed to support cats in practical, meaningful ways – whether that means providing biologically-appropriate nutrition, encouraging natural behaviors, or helping create a healthier daily routine at home.
Start with one small change and start today. If you have any doubts, your cat will let you know when you’re on the right track.