These Subtle Signs May Mean Your Cat is Extremely Bored

Cats can be incredibly laid back and content to snooze for most of the day so it may come as a surprise for you to learn that cats can get bored. Boredom is not a trivial issue in companion animals, it is a sign of psychological distress. It also often indicates that an animal’s needs are not being met. Here we will describe the main signs and symptoms of boredom in cats, explore the causes, and suggest some remedies.

Why Do Cats Get Bored?

Cat owners pride themselves on providing everything that their kitty needs. Predictable food availability, a constant water supply, shelter to spend time in, and protection from anything that could hurt them. The problem is that cats have instincts from their wild ancestors that drive them to hunt and explore, even though they have been domesticated for thousands of years. A wild cat has to use its physical and mental abilities to hunt for food, find a supply of fresh water, seek out a place to rest, and be constantly alert for potential threats. If they are not able to use these instincts and abilities, it can lead to an emotion that is comparable to human boredom. Scientists believe that the emotion of ‘boredom’ in non-human animals is a useful trait that motivates them to re-engage with the environment.

You are most likely to notice that your cat is bored if they are an indoor cat. It is also most common in the winter in outdoor cats who tend to spend more time inside during the colder months.

Signs of Boredom in Cats

Any changes in your cat’s behavior should be discussed with a vet because they could indicate a medical problem. In general, the signs of boredom in cats include:

Frantic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs)

These are otherwise known as the zoomies. This is when a cat has a mad few minutes tearing around your home at high speed in no particular direction and for no obvious reason. It can indicate that they need to release energy due to boredom.

Excessive Meowing

Many cats meow to communicate and get attention but an increase in meowing can indicate boredom.

Sleeping More Than Normal

It is not unusual for cats to sleep between 12 and 16 hours a day. Older cats and kittens need the most sleep. However, an increase in sleeping may be a symptom of boredom.

Overgrooming

Cats groom themselves for very valid reasons. It primarily cleans their fur but it also removes loose hairs and distributes natural oils over their coat. Any behavior that is beyond normal grooming is termed overgrooming. Cats often target areas around the belly, inside the hind legs, and across the sides when grooming too much. You may notice your cat licking themselves a lot more than normal. You may also notice broken and sparse hair, bald patches, and even broken skin.  

Pacing

When a cat walks up and down or in circles for short periods it is not a problem. Cats often do this when waiting for a meal or looking for a place to poop. However, doing this excessively is called pacing and can be a sign of boredom. It is important to note that if the pacing cannot be interrupted or if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, your cat needs to be seen by a vet right away.

Excessive Eating

Sometimes, bored cats eat more than usual. Simply providing more food is not advisable as this can lead to obesity and associated health problems.

Destructive Behavior

This is a collective term for any sort of damage your cat causes to furniture, rugs, carpets, etc. Most often this is caused by scratching, but some cats chew and suck fabric, and others bite houseplants.

Launching Attacks

Bored cats will sometimes attack their human family or other animals in the household. Playful attacks are not something to worry about but attacks that are accompanied by aggressive vocalization, ears pinned back, and dilated pupils are more of a worry.

Using Enrichment to Alleviate Boredom

Enrichment activities and objects are designed to encourage natural behaviors in captive and domestic animals. These behaviors in cats include scratching, scent-marking, stalking, pouncing, and biting. In doing so, they improve your cat’s well-being by encouraging play and creativity and, therefore, alleviate boredom. An added benefit is that they can strengthen the bond between you and your cat through shared activities. Here are some cat enrichment ideas together with the natural behaviors that they encourage.

Puzzle Feeders (problem-solving)

This type of feeder is a combination of a feeding bowl and a toy that makes your cat figure out how to get at the food or treats. They vary in complexity and some are so difficult that you may need to help your cat work out how to release the treats to begin with. Others are very straightforward and a simple swat of the paw will spill the treats out! You don’t have to spend a lot of money on one of these. Simply cut a few holes in an empty paper towel roll, place some treats inside, and fold over the ends.

Cat Towers and Scratching Towers (scratching, scenting, climbing, and perching)

Many cat towers provide an appropriate material for scratching and something for your cat to climb up and perch on. Watching the world from an elevated position relieves boredom and makes cats feel secure. Alternatively, clear a shelf or a space on top of some furniture and let your cat use that.

A Selection of Toys (bunny kicking, pouncing, defense, and attack instincts)

In the wild, cats hunt for prey and have to defend themselves. As part of this, they may grab the animal and hold it in their front paws whilst kicking at it with their rear paws – this is called bunny kicking. The toys that cats use to do this need to be durable and are made from tough fabric. They are often shaped like a mouse or fish, some make a crinkle sound or have bells, others have cat nip. A few even have battery-operated movements. It’s a matter of trial and error to figure out which your cat likes the best. Ping pong balls or even just scrunched up pieces of paper can soon become firm favorites for chasing around your home.

Access to the Outdoors (observation, climbing, perching, detecting scents)

Most indoor cats would benefit from some time outside even if that is in a very controlled way. Catios are enclosed patio areas specifically for cats and are becoming more popular. The catio can be as large or as complex as your circumstances allow. A simple screened window perch suits many cats as they can smell and watch the outside world.

Walking On a Leash (observation, detecting scents)

Another way to give your cat an outdoor experience is on a leash and harness. Most cats learn to love the experience but you need to introduce it slowly. Start by introducing the equipment and allow your cat to check it out at their own pace. Once they are comfortable with the scent of the harness, you can try to put it on their body. Make this a positive experience by offering tasty treats at the same time. Liquid treats that they can lick off a spoon are ideal. You can also use these treats as a lure to encourage your cat to walk forward once they are on the leash. Eventually, you can progress to exploring the outdoors together.

Training and Tricks (problem-solving)

You may be surprised to know that cats can be taught simple verbal commands including sit, roll over, and coming when their name is called. In a similar way to dogs, clickers are very useful for you to mark the exact moment that your cat obeys the command and this helps them to quickly learn what each word means.

Scent Games (detecting scents)

Scent games are normally associated with dogs but cats obtain a lot of information about the world via scents too. You can alleviate boredom by making your cat’s toys smell more interesting and this does not have to cost a penny. Simply swap toys with a friend who also has a cat. Or you could even take the toy and rub it all over your friend’s dog. That will give your kitty something to think about!

Interactive Play (stalking, pouncing, and hunting)

Whilst some cats are happy to entertain themselves given the right toys, others need a bit of help. Schedule a few play sessions of just a couple of minutes duration every day. The best toys for these sessions are fishing rod toys with a stick, string, and something on the end (often a bunch of feathers) for your cat to hunt and pounce on. Wiggle the feathers in front of your cat to get their attention and then slowly drag it away from them so that they can stalk it and eventually ‘catch’ it.

Grooming (bonding)

Grooming is essential for long-hair cat breeds but there are plenty of benefits to grooming short-hair breeds as well. In addition to relieving boredom, it improves your bond with your kitty. Grooming also offers an ideal opportunity to check your pet over for lumps, bumps, injuries, or sore patches that need to be investigated.

Provide Some Cat Grass (nibbling)

Even though cats are carnivores they love to nibble on grass which means that indoor cats can miss out. There are several health benefits for them as it is a natural laxative and relieves indigestion. It can also induce vomiting which is gross but is essential for expelling hairballs. Cats also like the feeling of chewing on the grass making it great for relieving boredom. Cat grass is easy to grow in small containers and is also available as a kit from pet stores. It is important to note that nibbling on houseplants is NOT the same thing as nibbling on grass and can be dangerous as many houseplants are toxic to cats.

What Not to Do About Cat Boredom

Firstly, don’t just assume that any change in your cat’s behavior is simply down to boredom. Always get them checked out by a vet first. Also, if you have tried all of the above and things are no better, check back in with your vet for further advice. Stalking, chasing, catching and ‘killing’ releases feel-good hormones in cats and makes them feel a lot better. Toys that can’t be caught, such as a laser pen, often have the opposite effect and may make the problem worse, so avoid these.

Some people make the mistake of getting another cat thinking that a ‘playmate’ will resolve the issue. In reality, while some cats can be social and enjoy the company of other cats, many are solitary by nature. It’s important to consider the individual personality of your cat before introducing another pet.
The decision to get another cat (or any other pet) is a big one so give it a lot of thought.

Finally, do not be tempted to try all of these at once. It is possible to overstimulate a cat into inactivity. So, try one of them at a time on a rotation basis and this will stop your cat from getting bored of each enrichment.