It's a mystery what our outdoor cats get up to all day. The chances are you have no idea what your feline friend gets up to on the daily unless you strap a GoPro to your tiny tiger. But our indoor cats also have an air of mystery about them.
You likely don't know what your indoor cat gets up to while you're asleep or out of the house. This is a mystery to most pet parents with cats — over
60% of cats in the US live indoors. So what do indoor cats get up to all day? Here's a look at the daily life of an indoor cat.
What do indoor cats do all day?
If you work long hours or have a big house, you might not see much of your cat, even though they stay indoors. Here's the lowdown on your cat's top daily activities.
Sleeping
Cats are big sleepers.
Kittens can sleep for as much as 22 hours a day, while
adult cats sleep on average for around 15 hours a day. Cats sleep a lot but not because they're lazy.
It's instinctual for a cat to conserve energy to be ready for hunting around dusk and dawn. Indoor cats that are bored and lack stimulation may sleep for longer than 15 hours per day.
Eating
Cats love their food. My cat has an excellent internal clock and knows exactly when it's her mealtime. Despite bothering me for food at the same time every day, she rarely finishes her meal in one go. Cats love to snack and quickly scarf down chunks of their meal throughout the day.
Cats usually spend around 30 minutes a day eating. You can provide your cat with extra stimulation by putting their treats in a
puzzle toy, so they have to work for their next snack.
Exploring
Knocking stuff off your side table, peering out the window at birds, scaling their cat tower — these are all ways your cat explores throughout the day. Cats spend 1 or 2 hours of their time exploring their kingdom to ensure everything is how they left it. Cats are also naturally curious and love to experience new sights, smells, and textures.
Playing
Playing is essential to a cat's happiness — it satisfies their hunting instinct. Some cats are self-starters and play with their toys when their humans aren't around. Other cats need a bit of extra encouragement from their pet parents to play. Cats require at least 30 minutes and an hour of playtime daily to stay sufficiently stimulated.
Grooming
Grooming is a big activity for your feline friend. By some estimates, indoor cats spend
30% to 50% of their waking hours grooming themselves.
Cats groom themselves for several health-related reasons. Grooming helps regulate their body temperature, stimulate circulation, prevent hairballs, and keep themselves clean.
Marking their territory
Indoor cats consider your home their territory and will mark to ensure they know who's been in their domain. Your cat will spend about 30 minutes a day rubbing their scent, through the glands on their foreheads, cheeks, paws, tails, and backs, around different parts of your home. Cats will also mark their territory through
scratching — one of the reasons my couch is shredded to pieces!
Using the bathroom
Cats spend a short period of their day in their litter tray. Generally, your cat will poop at least once a day and pee two to four times a day. However, this can differ depending on their diet, water intake, and any medication they're prescribed.
Enjoying pets
Cats are solitary creatures in the wild but seem to enjoy spending time with their pet parents more than anything else. A
2017 study found that cats tend to prefer spending time with people to eating or playing with their toys.
Cats see humans not just as a source of food but also as a source of comfort and security. My feline friend seems to spend at least an hour a day sitting on my lap, enjoying some chin rubs.
What do indoor cats do at night?
All cats are different, and no two cats do the same thing at night. That said, most indoor cats will spend the night joining you for some much-needs ZZZs.
There's not much for cats to do with their pet parents asleep, so most cats will sync their schedules with their family members. Another common occurrence for indoor cats at night is the zoomies.
Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active around dusk and dawn, as this is the best time to hunt. Cats sometimes get a sudden burst of energy around this time, darting around the room (and probably waking you from your slumber).
While you're asleep, your cat may engage in other activities, like grooming, exploring, and using the bathroom.
How do I keep my indoor cat happy?
It's a myth that all indoor cats aren't happy. As long as your fur-baby has everything they need, they'll thrive in a home environment. But what do indoor cats need to live their best lives?
- Space - Cats like to be alone, which can be difficult for indoor cats. Cats get easily overstimulated, so provide your cat with a few places they can build a nest to escape the hustle and bustle of your household.
- Stimulation - Indoor cats can get bored and depressed if they don't get enough stimulation. Ensure you play with your cat for at least 30 minutes daily, and buy treat-dispensing puzzle toys to give their brains a workout.
- Attention - As well as playing with your cat, pay them plenty of attention. As mentioned, cats love human contact so give your cat plenty of pets. Cats can get lonely, so avoid leaving them home alone for long periods where possible.
- Scratching and stretching - Cats need somewhere to shed their claws and stretch. If you have an indoor cat, buy them a large cat tree, so they have somewhere to stretch, perch, and play. A cat with no scratching post is more likely to engage in destructive behavior.
You might think your cat is safe indoors, but injuries and illnesses can still happen. Protect your indoor cat from accidents with an
affordable pet insurance plan.