Enrichment on a Shoestring

Environmental enrichment is essential for our cats’ physical and mental wellness. This includes toys, perches, scratchers, hiding holes, and anything that provides the cat stimulating objects to interact with and explore.

However, there is no reason for enrichment to be expensive. Our cats make sure we know it every time a big box is available and they jump right in. Here are some ideas for enriching your cat’s environment on a shoestring.

Window Perches

Cat trees are a wonderful thing to place next to a window to give a cat a view of the outside world. However, a chair or a table that’s placed by a window can do the job just as well. The strategically situated furniture can be made even better with a folded towel or blanket that turns it into a soft and comfy place to nap on a sunny day.

Toys

Cats have their own preferences for toys, so some toys would work for some but not for others. The internet is full of instructions for making DIY toys. Some of my favorites include stuffing a baby size sock with catnip and sewing it shut, tying a piece of fabric into a ball, or cutting cardboard into shapes.

You can find templates for cardboard toys here and other cool toy ideas here .

Rio loves playing with his toilet roll puzzle toys. They don’t last long, though…

Food Puzzle Toys

A food puzzle toy can keep your cat engaged for a long period of time, while intriguing their hunting instincts. You can also use these toys to provide a measured amount of food that’s consumed slowly, helping your cat stick to a healthier diet.

A simple puzzle toy can be made using an empty toilet paper roll. Make a hole or two in the side of the roll, big enough for pieces of kibble or treats to come out. Cover the ends with pieces of paper or cardboard. Then, put a small amount of kibble in the roll, and let your cat chase it around while pieces of kibble come out.

Another simple toy made with toilet paper rolls can be a stack of roles glued together to make a pyramid. Pieces of kibble can be placed inside the roles, so your cat will need to dig them out. You can see what it might look like here.

Spicy is getting ready to pounce out of her box.

Hiding Holes

Cats enjoy their moments of serenity, hiding in a spot that allows them to look out at the world while feeling safe in an enclosed space. The simplest hiding holes are made by simply leaving out a box. You can find out more about why your cat loves boxes so much here.

Cardboard boxes can be a source of a lot of creative DIY projects for your cat. Enough to inspire a book!

Tunnels

Tunnels provide a fun place to play, as well as a safe way to move from one place to another. A simple tunnel can be made by opening the two ends of a cardboard box and leaving it on its side, or opening the bottom of a paper bag, so that your cat can run through it.