Caring for your pet
A happy indoor cat: enrichment ideas for flat living
Simple, low-cost ways to keep an indoor cat active and content in an HDB flat or condo, based on the five pillars of a cat’s environmental needs.
Most cats in Singapore live indoors, and with window and balcony meshing that is the safest choice. Indoor cats can get bored, though, and boredom can lead to stress, over-eating and unwanted behaviour. Feline vets describe five needs every cat's home should meet. Here is how to meet them in a flat.
1. A safe place to retreat
Cats feel safest when they can hide and watch from above.
- Give your cat a covered bed or box in a quiet corner.
- Add height: a cat tree, a cleared shelf or a window perch.
2. Key resources, spread out
Cats prefer their essentials in separate places, so they never have to pass a rival or a noisy spot to reach them.
- Keep food, water and the litter tray apart from one another.
- Many cats drink more from a wide bowl or a water fountain placed away from food.
- A common guide is one litter tray per cat, plus one, in quiet spots.
- Offer scratching posts that are tall and sturdy enough for a full stretch, near where your cat sleeps.
3. A chance to play and hunt
Play lets cats act out the stalk, chase and pounce of hunting.
- Use wand toys for two or three short sessions a day. Let your cat "catch" the toy at the end.
- Try food puzzles or scatter a few dry biscuits for your cat to find, so mealtimes take some effort.
- Rotate toys weekly so they stay new.
4. Kind, predictable people
Cats like to choose when to interact. Let your cat come to you, stroke gently around the head and cheeks, and stop when it walks away. Keep the daily routine steady.
5. Respect for their sense of smell
Cats rely heavily on scent.
- Avoid strong air fresheners and scented litter.
- Leave your cat's bedding unwashed for a while after a move, so it smells familiar.
- Cat grass or a safe sniffing box can add interest.
Signs your cat may be under-stimulated
Over-grooming, night-time zoomies, scratching furniture, over-eating or attention-seeking can all be signs. If they continue, ask your vet, as they can also have medical causes.
This article is general information. Speak to your vet about your own cat's needs.
