How to make a cat happy indoors: 15 tips for house cats

Updated 9 Aug 2024

Whether you decide to keep kitty indoors or let her out to roam, the most important thing is that she’s kept happy and healthy. 

Safe and away from busy roads (and prey!), there are certainly a whole host of benefits to keeping a cat inside, especially if you live in a busy city. 

But as you’re sure to agree, cats are natural explorers. So exactly how do you avoid inactivity, agitation, and even stress or obesity in your indoor feline? What makes cats happy, even when (especially when) they're kept indoors?

Well here we’re exploring how to keep a house cat happy, so without any further ado, let’s pounce right in.

How to keep indoor house cats happy: how to make your kitty feel good

Make sure you have enough space

Rule 101 when you’re learning how to keep a house cat happy is considering whether you have enough space in your home for an indoor feline. Below, we’re going to explore all the things your feline will need in his home to lead a happy, fulfilling life. So, if you don’t feel like you can provide a feline with everything they need to be happy indoors, consider whether becoming a pet parent to a cat is right for you and your home.

Resting places

Like felines free to roam outdoors, indoor house cats need a resting place (or three, including a cardboard box, naturally) in your home where they feel safe in the knowledge they’re not going to be disturbed. So, if you’re wondering how to keep indoor cats happy, making sure there’s a quiet, cozy spot where they can be left alone should be at the top of your list.

And just for the record, if you're wondering - how do you make a cat happy - if your feline is allowed to roam outdoors, well resting places where your feline feels safe and secure is super important, too.

Litter tray hygiene

Did you know that our feline friends are pretty picky about how and where they poop? Well rightly so, we think. And one way you can keep your indoor cat happy is to keep the litter box up to your feline’s standards. 

Understandably, many cats would prefer their litter tray to be in a quiet place, and for the contents to be kept clean. And if your feline still seems resistant to using her litter tray, try unscented pellets.

Climbing frames

Climbing is one of the things cats love the most. And while outdoor cats can fence hop to their heart’s content, it can be more challenging for a house cat to get their climbing fill in an indoor environment. So to make the most of your feline’s adept climbing abilities, invest in an indoor climbing frame.

Engage hunting instincts

If there’s one thing that cats love more than climbing, it’s hunting. And naturally, a house cat won’t have the same opportunities to hunt as a cat free to roam the streets. 

So if you’re learning how to keep a house cat happy, engage your feline’s natural instincts to hunt indoors. Invest in puzzle feeders, hide treats around the house, and be sure to explore the huge amount of hunting toys for cats on the market.

By hunting for their food, they’ll gain mental stimulation and feel even more satisfied when they finally eat. While you can buy puzzle feeders and food dispensers, there are plenty of guides online that show you how to make them too.

Make sure they’re exercising

Another top tip for keeping your indoor cat happy is to make sure they’re exercising. And unlike an outdoor cat, keeping your indoor cats active is far more down to cat owners. 

So to keep on top of top notch cat care, play with your feline and invest in toys with feathers, toys with lights, moving toys that kitty can chase, and any other toys that’ll get your feline moving.

Provide mental stimulation

Mental stimulation is vital for any feline, but for a cat who lives indoors, the same four walls can get pretty… samey. So, if you’re wondering - how can i entertain my cat and provide mental stimulation - well along with interactive cat toys, you could keep your feline entertained by dotting a couple of scratch posts around your home, or challenge her to a session on trick training. Yup, it’s not just our canine pals who can learn a trick or two!

Quality time

If you’re keeping a house cat indoors, the likelihood is you’re in the same vicinity most of the time. But if you’re wondering how to make your kitty feel good, happy and healthy, it’s vital to carve out some one on one quality time together. As you’ll know, it’s important to play with your cat, but some felines will also appreciate sofa snuggles and cuddles, too.

Don’t leave them alone for too long

If you’re still wondering how to keep a house cat happy - you’ve done all of the above but your feline just doesn’t seem herself living indoors, it might be because they’re being left alone for too long. 

Time alone is lacking in mental and physical stimulation, so only adopt a house cat if you can give him the time he needs. And naturally, look for the signs of a happy cat - you might simply be misreading her signals.

Provide a view of the great outdoors 

Did you know that cats are some of the nosiest neighbors around? Yup - and if you’re wondering how to keep a cat indoors happy, provide a vertical space (like a perch or a cat tree) where your feline can watch the birds - it’ll be a spectacle for you to enjoy too, trust us.

Bring the outdoors in

This might not be one you’ve considered when learning how to keep a house cat happy, but why not have a go at growing feline-safe grass indoors? Consider wheatgrass - it’s safe for felines and it might just give them the feeling of being outside. 

Consider some outdoor time

If there are medical reasons why your feline is kept in the house, this might be one to skip. But for indoor house cats who seem to be craving fresh air, there are a few ways you can give your feline her outdoor fix, while keeping her safe from busy roads. Have a go at training your cat to walk on a leash so that the two of you can wander your local neighborhood safely, or consider building a catio - an enclosed outdoor space especially for cats.

Put on a YouTube playlist

Whether it’s pouncing towards that fake fish or tapping their gentle paws on a screen full of insects, many cats love YouTube. Yes, there are lots of videos that are purely made for our precious kitties! 

Whether that’s of other felines, fish, birds or even just videos of the great outdoors. So grab your computer, tablet or phone — as long as you don’t mind the odd paw or claw on it - and find a playlist full of engaging cat videos. It’s a quick and easy way to increase your cat’s happiness levels. 

Why not check out Trusted TV, a playlist dedicated to entertaining the pets of TrustedHousesitters?

Help your cat stay groomed

Regular grooming with your moggy’s favourite grooming brush can be great fun and will feel like a massage to the resident feline. On top of being a lovely experience for them, it’s also great for their coat and prevents matted fur and hairballs. 

Consider adopting another cat

Unlike other animals, most cats will enjoy the peace and quiet of being by themselves. But it’s also true that they're happy to have company that they like and tolerate. If you work long hours and have enough space, consider bringing a new feline to your home so that they can keep each other company. 

A disclaimer: as solitary creatures, this won’t suit all cats, of course, and it may take some adaptation. Be sure to do your research, assess your kitty’s personality and work with your local shelter to see if a new feline friend could be the answer.

Behaviour of a happy cat 

You may be wondering what’s the best way to tell whether your feline friend is happy or not. It makes sense. Any caring cat parent wants their cat to be happy, right? Cats are highly individual and each has their own personality - exactly as we humans - but they have different ways of showing happiness and contentment.

Cute moggies express their feelings through body language, tail movements and vocalisations, and they use different parts of their body to display their mood of the moment. Read on, because we’re going to tell you the signs of a happy cat.

1. Vocal clues - Kitties of all ages can be very chatty, especially when they're in a good mood. So, if your cat is having long chats with you and their meows are high pitched, then there’s a chance you have a happy cat in the house. Cute and soothing purring is, most of the time, an indication of cat happiness and even bliss. In case you’re curious, read our guide on why do cats purr, and the meaning of cat sounds. 
2. Grooming - If cats are happy, they will keep themselves well groomed and looking their best. On top of that, cheery kitties will groom other cats or even lick you - which is a sign of trust and love. 
3. Relaxed posture - Is your cat sleeping with their paws tucked under? Are they relaxed, chill and soft, all curled up like a donut? Well, when cats are in a good mood and don’t feel stressed or threatened they tend to relax and make themselves small and even more adorable. 
4. Expressivity - Cats are highly expressive creatures. You’ll notice their eyes and ears look different depending on how they feel. If you spot their eyes are suddenly dilated, then that means your kitty is a happy one. In the same way, when cats are happy their eyes face forward, but tilt back just slightly. 
5. Social napping - Felines love their naps, that’s for sure. But when they sleep with other kitties or - even better - choose you as a bed-buddy, then you’ll know they’re truly content. We’ve got more information about why cats sleep so much here. 
6. They want to play - When cats are happy, they’ll want to play with other pets and humans they trust and love. 
7. A healthy appetite - Happy kitties are those with a good appetite. Whether they want treats or ask for food by rubbing around your legs and meowing, signalling it’s dinner time, if your cat has a healthy appetite that means they are happy. Need some inspiration for cat food? Read our guide to fresh food for cats, learn what cats can and cannot eat, and check out best cat food for sensitive stomachs.   

If you love cats as much as we do and want to keep reading, don’t miss these interesting and fun guides we’ve put together to help you understand your resident feline better: 

• Your common cat questions answered
• Cat anxiety: causes, symptoms, and solutions
• Why cats do cats knead?
• How long can you leave a cat alone?

Enrichment activities for cats - want some more ideas?

Enrichment activities for cats are hands down the best way to get your kitty out of a funk - keeping your feline physically and mentally stimulated is simple with these activities for cats indoors.