The Indoor Cat Truth Most People Miss
Your cat may be safe… but you could be making this common mistake.
Hey Whisker Crew,
If you’re like me, you love your cats more than anything—and you’ve created a safe, cozy home for them.
But this week on the Golden Whiskers Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Lynn Bahr, veterinarian and founder of Dezi & Roo, and she reminded me of something I hadn’t fully considered:
Even when our cats have everything they need—food, water, shelter, love—they may still be struggling inside the four walls of our homes.
Why?
Because the life we’ve built for them… doesn’t change.
“Our cats are living within these four walls that never change. Life is the same. The smells are the same.”
— Dr. Lynn Bahr
That hit me.
We bring cats inside to protect them, but unlike dogs, they don’t go on walks or explore new places. They don’t get choices. We decide where they eat, what they eat, where the litter box goes, how their space looks. Everything.
Dr. Lynn said the first step is just recognizing that.
The second is starting to offer more variety—and more choice.
You can listen to a short clip from our interview here…
✅ Dr. Lynn's Action Steps for Cat Parents
Here are two simple mindset shifts she recommends:
Recognize the monotony.
Most indoor cats live in a space where nothing changes. The sights, the smells, the sounds—it’s all the same. Over time, that gets boring for any creature. Just noticing this truth is the first step.Give your cat more choice.
Your cat doesn’t choose where or when they eat, what bowl they eat out of, or even where they sleep. So start small. Try a new food dish. Feed in a new location. Offer a new flavor. Little changes can make a big difference.
🧡 What I’m Trying with Niko & Milo
Right in the middle of this conversation, Niko was climbing from the kitchen shelves to the fridge—classic timing. 😹
Dr. Lynn gave me a simple idea I hadn’t thought of:
“Every day, put something different up there… a treat, a toy, even just a piece of paper. Cats love to sit on paper.”
How cool is that?
Since then, I’ve started adding little surprises for the boys—just one small change a day. A rotated scratching post. A surprise perch. A tiny box in a new corner.
“You can do that every day. Move a couple things around. Put something new somewhere. Give them something to explore.”
— Dr. Lynn Bahr
Watching their curiosity spark again?
It’s been so good for them—and honestly, good for me too.
🐱 This Week’s Cattitude Prompt:
What’s one small way you can make your cat’s environment more interesting today?
Try:
Moving a scratcher to a new spot
Feeding in a different room
Leaving a treat or paper on a favorite perch
Letting them explore a closet you usually keep closed
Let me know what you try—I’d love to hear what your cats discover.
🎧 Listen to this week’s full episode:
"Why Most Indoor Cats Are Miserable (And You Don’t Know It)" with Dr. Lynn Bahr
👉 Click here to listen to the full episode now or search Golden Whiskers wherever you get your podcasts.
Thanks for reading, for loving your cats, and for being part of this community that cares so deeply.
Until next time,
💛
Scott | Golden Whiskers 🐾