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Original poster

Enrichment Ideas

13 replies

CleanShirt · 07/01/2025 10:41

I have a big 6 year old ginger fella who I've had since he was 9 weeks old. He imprinted on me and is a big clingy guy. Had a bit of a rough year with divorce / moving twice but he's finally settled in our little flat. He's very happy when I'm there.

I'm going back on shift in a few weeks, meaning I'm not going to be at home as much as he's used to, so I'm looking for ideas to keep him happy and occupied while I'm at work. A few things...

  • I can't get another cat. My flat is too small to separate them and he's not a fan of the other cats in the neighbourhood (he did used to have a pal but she went with exh).
  • He has a cat flap with full access to the outside except at night (he's a very good hunter!) I plan to keep this routine meaning he will be locked in on his own when I'm on night shift. He is a fairweather guy and barely goes outside when it's cold or raining - or when I'm at home!
  • He's not great at playing with toys on his own but is very food focused so likes snuffle mats / those treat balls etc... but I don't want loads of treats to be the norm.
  • He loves heat so I plan to keep a heat mat / blanket on for him, especially at night.
  • He LOVES catnip

Any ideas appreciated!

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 07/01/2025 13:12

Mollies mice and plastic springs were favourites with my non playing cats.

Overtheatlantic · 07/01/2025 16:43

A cat tower?

Original poster
CleanShirt · 07/01/2025 17:10

Toddlerteaplease · 07/01/2025 13:12

Mollies mice and plastic springs were favourites with my non playing cats.

I'll definitely look at the mice! He has no interest in springs 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
CleanShirt · 07/01/2025 17:10

Overtheatlantic · 07/01/2025 16:43

A cat tower?

He has one... Mostly gathers dust!

OP posts:
Original poster
CleanShirt · 07/01/2025 17:11

Cat tax.

Enrichment Ideas
OP posts:
Tinselinthewhoopsiebasket · 07/01/2025 17:13

Cardboard avacado(B&M) with Dreamies poured inside......

PaganOfTheYuleTimes · 07/01/2025 20:17

Real fur mice - harder to get but my cats love them
Also when they were younger I used to glue loo roll inners together in a pyramid on a piece of card and put kibble or a treat in some of the tubes as an enrichment toy. Pringles tubes are good too! Also, when we had pet lizards the cats used to sit on the warm tank and were happy watching the lizards move for ages, a fish tank would entertain as well if you had the time for an extra pet.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 07/01/2025 21:57

Our ginger boy (who’s two next week) loves his “mouses” - we have loads, mainly from Pets at Home, and we keep them in a wicker hamper thing in the kitchen. He’s shut in there at night (it’s a big room, he has everything he needs, before anyone comes for me - otherwise he’s a total pest at 5am!) and often he will get toys out to play with them when we’ve gone to bed. Some mornings it’s like a budget Sylvanian massacre. He also likes little fuzzy balls (from Amazon) and is currently obsessed with nicking socks off the airer.

Tbh even when we’re here all day he will have mad spurts of activity then mainly sleep. We’ve had a load of snow for almost a week now and he’s obviously fed up - but not quite bored enough for cold/wet - and we’re playing with him more in the house, but he’s currently snoozing in his bed by the radiator.

JaceLancs · 08/01/2025 06:03

Cat tv?

Original poster
CleanShirt · 08/01/2025 08:40

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 07/01/2025 21:57

Our ginger boy (who’s two next week) loves his “mouses” - we have loads, mainly from Pets at Home, and we keep them in a wicker hamper thing in the kitchen. He’s shut in there at night (it’s a big room, he has everything he needs, before anyone comes for me - otherwise he’s a total pest at 5am!) and often he will get toys out to play with them when we’ve gone to bed. Some mornings it’s like a budget Sylvanian massacre. He also likes little fuzzy balls (from Amazon) and is currently obsessed with nicking socks off the airer.

Tbh even when we’re here all day he will have mad spurts of activity then mainly sleep. We’ve had a load of snow for almost a week now and he’s obviously fed up - but not quite bored enough for cold/wet - and we’re playing with him more in the house, but he’s currently snoozing in his bed by the radiator.

Thank you I'll look at all of those!

OP posts:
Original poster
CleanShirt · 08/01/2025 08:40

JaceLancs · 08/01/2025 06:03

Cat tv?

He loves cat TV but needs to be supervised... Be is quite "robust" with the 2D birds!

OP posts:
Tinselinthewhoopsiebasket · 08/01/2025 13:35

Back In The Day df's dcats used to watch snooker on TV!! Them diving under and behind the telly was hilarious!!

Original poster
CleanShirt · 08/01/2025 19:33

Tinselinthewhoopsiebasket · 08/01/2025 13:35

Back In The Day df's dcats used to watch snooker on TV!! Them diving under and behind the telly was hilarious!!

I love that!! I can't watch nature programmes or play games with a cursor on the TV or he goes mental 🤣

OP posts:
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