How To Prevent Boredom While Your Cat Is Home Alone

by Lisa Selvaggio

Published: August 5th, 2021

how to prevent boredom while your cat is home alone

While the human is away, the cat will play – what kind of trouble will your kitty get into?

If your cat is regularly left home alone and he doesn’t have another kitty that he can play with, he can get extremely bored and lonely. And these feelings, combined with all of the pent-up energy he will have when you get home, might lead to aggressive or destructive behaviors.

To fix this problem, one of the steps you can take involves finding the right toys that your cat will love. These will not only help keep his attention while you are gone but will also allow him to exercise and release some energy in a positive manner. However, you should also make sure there are other ways to keep your cat occupied while you’re away.

Continue reading to learn a few tips to get started, but remember that every cat is an individual, so figuring out what your pet prefers is imperative if you want to reduce stress and come home to a happy feline.

Kitty TV

Kitty TV can be one of two things: a great window seat to view the birds, squirrels, and people walking around outside, or your own television showing some cat-friendly videos of wildlife and other pets.

If your cat enjoys sitting and watching television with you, especially when there are animals being displayed, leave it on while you aren’t home so he can catch a few minutes of an interesting show to stay occupied. You can even purchase DVDs created specifically for cats.

Also, make sure there is a window or two that your kitty can sit at for hours on end. Not only will he be stimulated by the activity going on outside, but he will also be getting some warm sunshine, making it the perfect spot to nap as well.

Note: If your cat doesn’t have any large windowsills to sit on, the good news is there are many window perches designed for cats that like to lounge while gazing out the window at the world outside.

Wall Perches

Speaking of perches, did you know that there are a lot of wall perches that are made for kitties? These can be set up anywhere in your home, and they can provide your cat with yet another way to get some much-needed exercise. Remember, being able to exercise and play while you aren’t home is important. It can help your kitty stay active, which is key, and it can also keep his mind occupied by giving something to do.

There are various styles of wall perches for cats, so you can choose the ones that you like best and that you think your kitty will enjoy most. For example, some have hideaways and hammocks, while others have little ladders for your cat to climb. Being able to climb up high and along multiple levels of perches is sure to make your companion feel amazing.

Safe Toys for Solo Play

Many cat toys should only be used when you’re there to supervise play, as there may be dangerous parts that can be swallowed, such as strings. But some cat toys on the market are specifically designed to keep your cat occupied when you aren’t home.

Catnip-filled balls and stuffed animals are great toys to leave lying around the house for your kitty to find and pounce on. But puzzle toys are also a smart choice because they will keep your pet occupied for longer periods of time as he figures out how to get the treats that are locked within them. And toys that make sounds when touched or pushed are also good options for keeping your cat from getting bored when home alone.

Tip: Consider swapping out different toys that are left out every day to keep things interesting.

Related: Feline Yogi’s Yoga Mat Toy

Clever Hiding Spots

Hiding places can be created by draping a blanket over a chair or leaving out a paper (not plastic!) bag from the supermarket. Place a toy inside the paper bag or under the chair so your cat can dive in and hunt down his “prey.” You might even try leaving a cardboard box out for your cat to find and hide in. Maybe put some toys or a soft blanket inside so he can go into his own little quiet space to play or relax while you aren’t home.

In addition to using everyday items to create areas where your kitty can feel safe and secure when home alone, there are also several helpful products that you can purchase in stores. For example, a cat tree that has hideaways built in is a good way to go because it gives your cat the chance to exercise and enjoy time sitting on a high perch. Or, you might opt to get your kitty a few cat condos that you can set up around the house for him to use as he pleases.

Cat Treat Hunt

Leaving a few cat treats strategically hidden around the house is yet another way to keep your cat happy while he is at home on his own. As he walks around, he may catch the scent of one of his favorite treats, and finding it in a spot that he didn’t expect it to be in will be exciting and rewarding.

A Play Session Before You Head Out

Before leaving your cat home alone for extended periods of time, whether you’re off to a relative’s home for a day trip or you’re just heading to work, spend a few minutes playing with him to tire him out a bit. This may help prevent boredom later on, especially if he is ready to settle down and take a long nap after the exciting play session.

Adopt Another Fur Baby

A cat that has a fellow feline to play with and nap with may be able to avoid boredom much more easily than a kitty who is left completely alone. So, if you can open your home to another fur baby, consider doing so.

With so many shelter kittens, adult cats, and seniors looking for their forever home, it’s easy to find one that will be the perfect match. And with two or more cats keeping each other company, you might not need to worry as much about boredom and the negative behaviors that can come from it.

Yes, Cats Can Get Bored When Home Alone!

The bottom line is this: your kitty enjoys spending time with his family, and he can get bored, or even anxious, when he’s left home alone. Whether you plan on being out of the house for many hours while you’re working or attending social events, taking a few simple steps to ensure your furry friend will remain content and calm while you’re gone is wise. And when you return home, you can spend plenty of time snuggling and enjoying each other’s company again.

Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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Dogs can be heroes, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to the story of a very special police K9 in Auburn, Massachusetts. When a 12-year-old went missing from their home and couldn’t be found for roughly two hours, Auburn police knew that they had to work quickly, and Biza the dog played an integral role in the child’s rescue.Child Found with the Help of a Police K9 Named BizaAccording to a Facebook post by Auburn MA Police Department, information about a missing child was received around 10:30 p.m. on January 31, 2024. The child had been missing since around 8:30 p.m., when they had left their home. No one knew where the child could be, and the frigid temperatures made everyone worry even more about their safety.Because the child had last been seen in the Pakachoag Hill area, Auburn police officers, Massachusetts State Police troopers, and detectives got to work looking for them. But it would be Biza, the K9 partner of Officer Ljunggren, who would really come through and help the search end successfully that night.Following the Scent to a Missing ChildBiza picked up the child’s scent and tracked it for more than two miles. The police were able to find signs that the missing child had been in the area, so they kept up the search until they were able to find them and bring them home to their family just a short while later.This is one example of many times that Biza has helped police in Auburn succeed since she joined them in 2022 from Germany. In addition to helping find missing people, she has also helped police track down suspects.  Thanks to Biza and her ability to track the right scent that night, a child was saved from the cold and made it home safe.Here’s a quick video about this story, showcasing a few photos of beautiful Biza:

Why Is My Dog Licking and Chewing His Paws?

You might think it’s gross, but your pooch certainly doesn’t – canines are known to lick themselves as a way of grooming. While your dog might lick their body thoroughly to keep it clean, sometimes, their self-grooming can be abnormal. If you notice that your pet is licking or even chewing their paws obsessively, it should raise concern. This type of behavior might indicate an underlying medical issue, so here’s what you need to know before you phone your vet.Is It Normal for Dogs to Lick and Chew Their Paws?While some licking of their paws after they get dirty can be perfectly normal, constant licking or chewing of the paws is certainly not usual behavior. There could be several reasons behind this, and it could indicate that your attention and even intervention are needed. Here are some of the most common reasons why dogs lick and chew their paws.Allergies:  Allergies, including food allergies, environmental allergies (such as pollen or dust mites), and contact allergies (for example, from cleaning products or lawn chemicals), can lead to itching and discomfort in dogs. Paw licking and chewing can be a response to this itching. If you suspect that an allergy might be in question, don’t hesitate to visit your vet.Skin irritation or infection: If your dog's paws are red, swollen, or have an unpleasant odor, it may indicate a  skin infection or irritation. Bacterial or fungal infections, as well as foreign objects like splinters or thorns, can lead to serious issues down the road. Again, if you notice any of the above, it’s time to visit the vet.Dry or cracked paw pads: Dry or cracked paw pads can be uncomfortable for dogs. Licking and chewing may be their way of trying to soothe the discomfort. This happens to many dogs, and can be caused by their environment, the surface on which they walk, and many other things. Luckily, you can prevent this with paw wax that will create a barrier between the pads and the walking surface, or treat existing issues with paw butter that soothes and repairs the pads. This particular  2-in-1 paw butter and wax is a favorite of mine because it is made from all-natural ingredients and heals cracked paws in no time – while simultaneously preventing future irritation and dryness. 

Scientists Uncover Secrets of Extinct "Wooly Dog" Breed

Throughout history, dogs have played several key roles in the lives of people globally. They have hunted, worked, and provided for us, forever weaving them into the fabric of human existence. We often use this knowledge to better understand our modern dogs by reflecting on their original purpose as a breed. Unfortunately, not every breed continues to thrive among us today.The Coast Salish wooly dog was a unique breed, kept by the First Nations people throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Vancouver Island, for its fleece-like coat. A new study reveals insights into the history of the now-extinct breed.Unlike most animals at that time in history, the dog was kept in pens and longhouses. This was done to prevent the dogs from mixing with village and hunting dogs, preserving the breed and the fleece it provided.“They were sheared like sheep, and the wool was woven into blankets,” recounted Eliot White-Hill of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. “Blankets were like currency in our economy prior to contact and some of the most important things you could own and give away as gifts.”The dogs were fed a diet of fish and elk and were seen as beloved family members.“It’s not just a dog – it’s a relative. It has enormous spiritual power, conveyed in its wool,” explained Michael Pavel, an elder of the Skokomish-Twana tribe and one of the study's authors. “Imagine being able to receive the gift of wool fiber, being able to learn to weave that into yarn, into an entity, or a blanket or robe that you could wrap yourself in the coldest of winter and feel the warmth of those prayers. That’s how we look at it, and we can now enjoy a scientific view, as well.”Unfortunately, the breed did not survive colonization. It’s not clear exactly what caused the demise of the Coast Salish wooly dog – the introduction of European dog breeds, rules enforced on First Nations people during assimilation and displacement, or smallpox epidemics being a few of the hypothesized factors.But thanks to the preserved pelt of a wooly dog named Mutton, who died in 1859, researchers can now learn a little more about the unique DNA of the dog, its lineage, and insight into the breeding practices of local Indigenous communities.Researchers compared DNA from Mutton’s pelt to that of a separate non-wooly village dog that lived and died in the same region at approximately the same time.While the information gathered from the study did not offer any conclusive answers about the disappearance of the breed, it did hypothesize that the Indian Act of 1876 played a critical role as it would have directly impacted the ability of Indigenous women to pass on valuable knowledge about caring for the dogs and weaving necessary to its survival.On a positive note, the study did support historical facts shared by First Nations people in that area – a valuable piece of the puzzle as many work to reclaim the traditions of their ancestors.“It brought a large group of people together that reaffirmed for us the history we know,” stated Violet Elliott, also of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. “It was a gift of collaboration with other nations.”