Your Cat’s Life Is Too Boring (And Here’s How to Fix It)
Why indoor cats need daily enrichment—and what you can start doing today to create a happier home
Cats are often labeled as “low maintenance” pets—they don’t need walks, they don’t demand constant attention, and they sleep… a lot. But after sitting down with veterinarian and feline enrichment expert Dr. Lynn Bahr, I realized:
👉 The idea that cats are low maintenance is completely false.
In fact, cats may be one of the most high-maintenance pets out there when it comes to meeting their mental, emotional, and instinctual needs—especially for those of us keeping our cats indoors.
In today’s newsletter, I’m sharing insights from my interview with Dr. Lynn who shares why daily enrichment is critical for your indoor cat’s happiness and well-being, and how something as simple as opening a door can make their day. I’ll also share how I’m using her advice with Niko and Milo to build a more stimulating and joy-filled life.
If you want to listen to an audio of my clip with Dr. Lynn on why indoor cats need daily enrichment, just take a listen here.
🐾 Why “Low-Maintenance Cat” Is a Myth (From Dr. Lynn Bahr)
Dr. Lynn Bahr has spent decades as a veterinarian, but her real passion lies in helping indoor cats thrive. She explained that the label of “low-maintenance pet” is not only misleading—it can be harmful to our cats' well-being.
Here’s why:
🚪 Indoor Cats Are Missing More Than You Think
In the wild (or even in a backyard), cats have unlimited stimulation—they sniff new scents, stalk bugs, chase shadows, and constantly explore. But once we bring them indoors and shut the door, they’re left with…
✅ The same rooms
✅ The same furniture
✅ The same smells
✅ The same toys
Every. Single. Day.
That’s why Dr. Lynn says we, as cat parents, have to step in and re-create that stimulation—and that takes time, intention, and creativity.
☀️ Fresh Air & Sunshine: The Missing Essentials
One of the easiest and most overlooked enrichment tips?
👉 Open a window.
Cats indoors don’t get fresh air. They don’t know what their neighborhood smells like. They’re breathing in air-conditioned air, often filled with cleaning chemicals, candles, or cooking smells—and none of that is good for their physical or mental well-being.
Dr. Lynn suggests cracking open a screened window or using a window perch to give your cat access to sunshine, breeze, and neighborhood sounds.
🎯 Enrichment Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Dr. Lynn’s favorite question to ask herself each day is:
“What can I do differently for my cats today?”
She encourages small changes like:
Opening a closet door they never get to explore
Rotating their toys
Hiding a treat somewhere unexpected
Moving furniture or scratching posts to a new spot
Creating a “new” play area with boxes, tunnels, or blankets
These tiny shifts can turn an ordinary day into an exciting one for your cat—and prevent boredom-related issues like overeating, depression, or aggression.
📽️ My Take: How I’m Using This with Niko & Milo
Dr. Lynn’s message really hit home.
When I think back to Mia and Nomar, I realize I didn’t fully understand how much they needed more stimulation. I kept them safe, healthy, and loved—but their world was the same, every day.
Now, with Niko and Milo, I’ve started doing things differently:
🪟 Fresh Air Daily – I now open a window every day, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. They rush over, stick their noses in the breeze, and you can tell it lights them up.
🚪 Daily Surprise Access – I rotate which doors they get to go behind: the laundry room, a closet, or even my office when I’m not working. They love exploring “new” spaces—even if they’ve been there before!
🎁 Mini Enrichment Moments – I started asking myself Dr. Lynn’s question:
“What can I do differently for them today?” Sometimes it’s a new toy, other times it’s just dragging a string across the floor like it’s prey. But it makes a difference—and I can see it in their energy and joy.
😻 Dr. Lynn is also founder of Dezi & Roo, a company that makes enrichment toys for cats. Niko and Milo’s new favorite toy is this Wiggly Wand. They go nuts for it and it’s a great time for me to bond with them with intentional play.
❓ What About You?
What’s one small thing you can do today to enrich your cat’s world?
Comment below or send me an email and let me know—or tell me your favorite enrichment tip so I can try it with Niko and Milo!
💛
Scott | Golden Whiskers
We got a cat fence similar to “Purrfect fence” for the back yard and have two cat doors. We only let them out in the daylight hours. Quite expensive to make it safe enough and escape proof but they love it! We have lots of windows, cat trees, tunnels, and toys for inside play. We do play with them a lot and try to introduce novelty as we can.
Thank you so much for this post, Scott. Great tips. We have some bored kitties around here, too.