Keeping indoor cats happy, safe and stimulated

Keeping Indoor Cats Happy, Safe and Stimulated

Many cat owners choose to keep their feline friends indoors full-time, whether to protect them from busy roads, prevent injuries and disease, or to help protect New Zealand’s precious native wildlife. 

But there’s a common worry: will my cat get bored, stressed, or even develop behavioural problems?

The good news is that cats CAN live a long, happy, and fulfilled life indoors—IF you provide the right enrichment, stimulation, and care. 

And while indoor life reduces many risks, it doesn’t remove them entirely. Even indoor cats can have accidents, develop health issues or suffer accidental poisoning. That’s why it’s worth having pet insurance in place—so you can focus on your cat’s wellbeing without worrying about unexpected vet bills. I choose Southern Cross Pet Insurance for my ragdoll, Zen, because after years of experience with this awesome Kiwi company, I trust that if the unexpected happens, they’ll support us with cover for eligible vet care under our policy.

So - here are my top tips on how to keep your indoor cats happy, safe and stimulated!

1. Understand your cat’s needs

Cats are natural hunters. Outdoors, they’d be stalking prey, climbing, patrolling territory, and exploring a constantly changing environment. Indoors, it’s up to us to recreate enough of those experiences to keep their minds and bodies active. Without that stimulation, cats can become bored, frustrated, or even depressed.

Think about it like this: an indoor environment should be more than just “safe”—it should be interesting!

2. Provide daily mental and physical stimulation 

The best indoor cat homes are rich in activities and opportunities to explore:

• Interactive toys – Rotate them regularly so they stay novel. There are many interactive and even motorised toys that can offer stimulation even when you’re not there.
• Vertical spaces – Cat trees, shelves, or window perches give your cat a chance to climb and observe. Cats love height, nooks and to be able to move around above.
• Puzzle feeders – These mimic hunting and foraging, helping to prevent boredom and overeating.
• Daily playtime with you – Short, energetic play sessions (2 to 3) with feather wands, toy mice, or laser pointers to satisfy hunting instincts and deepen your bond.
• Clicker training - Cats can successfully be clicker trained and learn all sorts of useful behaviours like recall and sit or even cute tricks, a fun way to bond with your cat while providing great mental stimulation. 

Though cats are often seen as solitary, if reared properly they can be very social—especially if they’ve grown up with another cat or pet from a young age. A compatible cat or dog companion can add more stimulation and comfort, but it’s not the right choice for every cat.

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3. Safe outdoor adventures

“Indoor” doesn’t have to mean “never outside.” Supervised outdoor time can be hugely beneficial:

• Harness and lead walks – Start desensitising kittens early to wearing a harness, so outdoor walks become a fun and stress-free routine. Adult cats can learn too, but it usually takes more time and patience. Please note, if you are going to take your cat out walking on a harness, maintain a high level of situational awareness, keeping your eyes out for any risks (particularly off-lead or aggressive dogs). 
• Catio or enclosed space – Build or buy an enclosed area where your cat can lounge in the sun, watch birds, and enjoy fresh air safely.
• Cat-proof fencing – Special fence toppers or “rollers” can allow access to your whole garden while preventing escapes (and unwanted intrusion from neighbouring cats).

In my experience—including working with cats for film work—cats who have been travel conditioned and exposed to varied sights, sounds, and locations early in life are more confident and adaptable overall, so I do recommend teaching your kitten to enjoy outings on the harness, in the car, or in my case - the motorhome! Your relationship becomes your cat’s “home” and you provide their sense of safety, in place of the physical territory. 

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4. Keep the environment enriching

Small changes can make a big difference to your indoor cat’s quality of life:

• Change the view – Set up a window perch where your cat can watch the world go by.
• Scent exploration – Bring in safe natural scents (like catnip or fresh herbs) to sniff and investigate.
• Scratching opportunities – Offer both vertical and horizontal scratchers to suit different preferences.
• Hide and seek – Hide treats or toys for your cat to “hunt” throughout the day.
• Pet camera - consider a treat-dispensing pet camera so you can check on, chat to and deliver treats to your cat throughout the day.

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5. Health and safety still matter indoors

Some owners assume that because their cat doesn’t roam, they don’t need to worry about hazards or health issues. In reality, indoor cats can still:

• Swallow string, hair ties, or other household objects.
• Develop diseases, chronic conditions, skin issues, or dental problems.
• Be exposed to toxins from indoor plants, human foods, human medications, or cleaning products (check out pawsoff.co.nz for a great overview on human foods that are dangerous to your cat).
• Suffer falls from high balconies or windows.
• Become trapped and injured in small spaces around the home.
• Escape suddenly if startled – fireworks, thunder, or even a loud crash indoors can cause a panicked dash for an open door or window. If this happens, your cat could find themselves outside and exposed to the same dangers as a roaming cat—traffic, dogs, other cats, and disease.

This is where pet insurance comes in. Southern Cross Pet Insurance helps cover the cost of unexpected vet care—so if something happens, you can act quickly without cost being the deciding factor. Even a strictly indoor cat can face emergencies or health issues, and having cover in place gives you peace of mind - and you might find it’s more affordable than you realise! Sadly cats are less likely to be insured than dogs, despite still very much being loved members of the family, so I encourage you to think about protecting them before something goes awry. 

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Final thoughts

A safe indoor life, filled with stimulation, companionship, and care (especially if you travel condition them!) gives your cat the best of both worlds: protection from harm and a rich, rewarding daily experience. By thinking creatively and investing time in play, training, and enrichment, you’ll raise a confident, happy, and healthy cat.

And remember—just as you plan for their emotional wellbeing, plan for their health needs too.

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This content is created in partnership with Southern Cross Pet Insurance.

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