What makes cats happy?

Short answer: not just a bowl and a bed.

Longer answer: a thoughtfully enriched world where your cat can climb, snooze, hunt, sniff, scratch, choose (and occasionally ignore you) with confidence.

Despite the long-standing myth that cats are ‘low maintenance’, science says otherwise. Cats who don’t get enough mental and physical stimulation are more likely to feel stressed, anxious and bored, which can show up as scratching the sofa, peeing where they shouldn’t, overgrooming or overeating.

A happy cat is one whose environment lets them be… well, a cat. Let’s break down what that really means.

First things first: enrichment is everything.

An enriched environment goes far beyond basic needs. It gives your cat opportunities to express natural, species-typical behaviours: hunting, climbing, hiding, scratching, resting, observing, choosing.

When cats lack:

• safe places to rest

• enough resources (food, water, litter)

• predictability

• things to do

…it’s strongly linked to stress, anxiety, obesity and poorer health overall. Translation: boredom is bad for cats. Very bad.

Veterinary behaviourists generally group enrichment into four key areas: cognitive, physical, sensory and social.

Food puzzles

In the wild, cats spend a third to half their day hunting and eating. Indoor cats? Sometimes less than 1%. That’s a lot of spare time to fill with knocking things off shelves.

Food-dispensing toys and puzzles slow meals down and turn eating into a game. Offer them at dawn and dusk, when cats are naturally most active. 

Training (yes, really)

Cats can absolutely learn cues like sit, high five and stay using positive reinforcement. Training challenges their brain, builds confidence and deepens your bond.

Toys

Toys should mimic prey and allow stalking, chasing and pouncing. Rotate them regularly — toys left out all the time quickly become invisible.

One note: some cats find laser pointers frustrating because there’s nothing to catch. If you use one, always end with a physical toy or food so the hunt feels complete.

Keep play sessions short and frequent, ideally morning and evening. Bonus: it helps burn energy so your cat is less likely to host a 3am parkour competition.

Safe sleeping spaces (plural)

Cats spend over half their lives sleeping, so comfort matters. Offer multiple options:

• somewhere high (for surveillance)

• somewhere open (like a shelf or windowsill)

• somewhere enclosed (boxes, covered beds — elite choices)

Soft bedding, warmth and quiet are key. And yes, boxes absolutely count as luxury furniture.

Vertical space & scratching

Cats live in three-dimensional space, so vertical space is important to them. Climbing and scratching are instincts, not bad habits.

Provide things like:

• tall cat trees or shelves

• multiple scratching surfaces (vertical and horizontal)

• different materials: sisal, cardboard, carpet, wood

More scratching options = less furniture destruction = everyone wins.

Retreats for multi-cat homes

Cats value personal space. Studies show many cats prefer to keep 3–9 feet between themselves and other cats, and may spend up to 50% of their time out of sight of each other.

Hiding spots and perches reduce stress and even sickness behaviours. 

Make the carrier normal

Leave your cat carrier out, lined with cosy bedding. Treats and catnip help. When the carrier only appears before vet visits, it becomes a red flag. 

Protect scent

Cats rely heavily on smell. Strong cleaners and overpowering fragrances can be stressful. Stick to unscented products where possible.

Scratching posts near entryways and resting areas allow your cat to leave comforting scent markers. 

Catnip, grass & plant-based joy

About 50–60% of cats respond to catnip (it’s genetic). Reactions vary from blissed-out noodle to overexcited gremlin.

Cat grass satisfies a natural urge to nibble plants — and helps protect your houseplants from becoming collateral damage.

Synthetic pheromones

In stressful situations (like introducing a new cat), synthetic pheromones can help. Research shows multi-cat households using pheromone diffusers experience less conflict than those using a placebo.

Music for cats

Yes, it’s a thing. And yes, there’s science behind it.

Music composed specifically for cats uses frequencies, tempos and pitches they actually enjoy. Read more here.

Visual stimulation

• Window perches

• Watching birds (from inside — please)

• Secure fish tanks

• Cat TV and prey-style apps

Basically: let them people/animal-watch.

Outdoor access (with care)

Outdoor access can be enriching, but it isn’t right for every cat or location. Outdoor cats should be:

• Microchipped

• Vaccinated

• Parasite-protected

• Spayed/neutered

If outdoors isn’t safe, make indoors exciting: windows, natural light, climbing, hunting games — or consider a secure catio. We’ve got some handy hints here.

Touch: grooming & petting

Most cats enjoy gentle petting around the head and neck. Research shows the back half of the body is more likely to trigger negative reactions. Always watch body language — consent matters.

Human companionship matters

Cats may act aloof, but studies show many cats will choose human interaction over food. (Yes, really.)

Regular, predictable interaction — even 2–3 minutes of daily play — supports emotional wellbeing and strengthens your bond.

Choice is powerful

Cats feel less stressed when interactions are optional. Invite, don’t force. Let them come to you. Respect their ‘no thanks’ — it builds trust.

Routine = security

Cats thrive on predictability. Keep feeding times, play sessions and daily rhythms consistent. If something changes, introduce it slowly.

Sudden behaviour changes? Pause before blaming your cat. Something in their environment may be stressing them out.

Know your cat

Cats are individuals. Learning your cat’s preferences, tolerances and quirks is one of the best things you can do for their happiness.

Source: American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. Decoding Your Cat: The Ultimate Experts Explain Common Cat Behaviors and Reveal How to Prevent or Change Unwanted Ones. Meghan E. Herron, Debra F. Horwitz, Carlo Siracusa (eds.). HarperCollins and Blackstone Publishing, 2020.