Experts Explain the Best Ways to Keep Indoor Cats Truly Happy

In a recent study published in Anthrozoös, participants rated cats shown indoors as having a more positive emotional state than cats shown outside. Participants were shown random images of the same cats, altered using AI, to change their coat color and backgrounds.

Why Indoor Cats Are Perceived as Happier

Even though the study found that people perceive indoor cats as happier, experts say that without proper enrichment, even well-cared-for cats can struggle. Pet cats need more than food, water, and a safe place. To thrive, they also need to engage their minds. Learning how to provide the right enrichment for your cat is essential for their well-being.

Why Enrichment Matters for Feline Well-Being

Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist Jennifer Van de Kieft, who leads Cat Advocate, a cat training and behavior consulting business, has helped hundreds of families and their cats with a variety of behavioral concerns. She currently holds multiple certifications and professional memberships related to cat behavior and nutrition.
​
“When people think of enrichment, a lot of people think this is extra stuff,” Van de Kieft said. “It’s really not. Cats are smart animals, and they require stimulation.”

She explained that enrichment includes a variety of activities and toys that encourage cats to use their senses. For her own cats, adopted from Brooklyn Animal Action, Van de Kieft provides food puzzles, scavenger hunts, play, and a spot by the window, using cat trees for lounging.
​
“Windows are so great because you’ve got the visual stimulation, like birds and squirrels outside on the trees,” she said. “And you’ve got olfactory stimulation, because when you have the window cracked open, they’re getting those smells.”
​
Some activities involve spending time with your cat through play and training.

Training as Mental Stimulation for Cats

Animal trainer Melissa Millett trains both dogs and cats for performances, film, and TV. Millett is the founder of In Dogs We Trust, a training business based in Ontario, Canada, that offers classes for people and their dogs, using positive techniques. Her trained animals have appeared in films such as Pet Sematary (2019) and Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing (2025).
​
“Training can be very helpful as enrichment; cats love to work,” Millett said. “Cats benefit from mental stimulation just as much as dogs.”

While cats can learn and respond well to training, Millett explained that their motivations differ from those of dogs. For cats, Millett suggests using high-value rewards. The first step is to teach the cat simple skills, such as following a food lure. Another simple skill that can help early on is training cats to touch a target stick.
​
“The misconception for cat training is that cats are not as interested in learning,” Millett said. “This is not true! They love to work, they just need more clarity and a high-value reward.”
​
Van de Kieft also suggests that training is beneficial for some cats when using a positive approach.
​
“I think that training can be really enriching as long as it’s not stressful for your cats,” she said.
​
Since training should be rewarding, Van de Kieft recommends watching for any signs of stress. Cats can be trained in tricks or essential skills, such as how to be handled for nail trims.

Simple Enrichment Ideas You Can Try at Home

Another type of enrichment for cats involves introducing new items, especially those with an outdoor feel.
​
“I’m a big fan of cat grass,” Van de Kieft said. “You can grow your own, or you can get it at the farmers’ market. It’s a really natural thing for cats to munch on.”

WET NOSE WEDNESDAY: More Pet-Related Content
​
An internet trend gained popularity over the summer, showing cat owners introducing concrete slabs for their cats to play on. Videos circulated of cats rolling on concrete brought inside. The enrichment trend might have more to do with the introduction of a new item than the item itself, Van de Kieft said, but every cat is different, and what one cat finds enriching might not be the same for another.
​
“It might be a really nice way to scratch,” she said.
​
Still, Van de Kieft said that cat grass is often the way to go when it comes to bringing outdoor textures inside.

Understanding Your Cat’s Individual Needs

Most importantly, it’s essential to find out what your individual cat finds enriching. The latest trends might work for one cat and not another.

“Each cat is an individual, and it’s up to us to figure out what our particular cat needs,” Van de Kieft said. “It takes some detective work, but if you are mindful and pay attention, your cat will tell you what they need based on their behavior.”

Melissa "MJ" Viera is the owner of MJ's Pet Training Academy in Acushnet.