---
title: "Keeping Up with Your Cat: A Guide to Entertainment for the High Energy Feline"
description: "Creative enrichment ideas and active play techniques to channel the boundless energy of lively cats and energetic kittens."
date: "2018-04-26T12:55:27Z"
author: "Just Cats Clinic"
image: "/img/414d9388"
canonical: "/keeping-up-with-your-cat-a-guide-to-entertainment-for-the-high-energy-feline/"
---

# Keeping Up with Your Cat: A Guide to Entertainment for the High Energy Feline


When you think of a cat's activity level, what typically comes to mind? For many, it's a lazy animal that sleeps all the
time and sunbathes for a living. While that can be the case with some cats, many have a surprisingly high energy level.
Think of keeping your cats entertained as something that is fun and a bonding experience instead of a chore. In this
blog entry, we'll talk about some interesting ways to keep your high-energy kitty out of trouble and, most importantly,
happy and content.

![Energetic cat curious and ready to play](/img/9432e353)

## Vertical Space: Cat Trees and Shelving

Coming home after a long day to a cat that is bouncing off the walls can be difficult. Giving your cat activities to do
when you're gone can help them stay active throughout the day. Make your house your cat's personal jungle! Get cat trees
and shelving that allow them to climb and explore safely instead of getting into cabinets and closets.

Cat trees come in all shapes, sizes, and budgets, from modest ones that fit nicely into smaller apartments to massive
units that stand six feet tall. When picking one out, make sure that it is made from sturdy materials and won't wobble
or fall over when your kitty climbs and jumps on it. Also, consider what kind of activities your cat enjoys: Are they
height-seeking? You may want a tree that focuses on vertical space rather than branching out. Do they like to hide from
view? You may want a cat tree with an enclosed cube allowing them privacy. Does your kitty have allergies? You may want
to avoid a carpeted tree that can trap dust and fur.

![Cat relaxing safely on a tall cat tree perch](/img/131e4d28)

## Mental Stimulation: Puzzle Feeders

Keeping your cat's mind stimulated and active can also help. Puzzle feeders can be a great option, especially to leave
down while you're busy or at work during the day. By placing your cat's regular food—wet or dry, depending on the type
of feeder—within the puzzle feeder, they have to work to get to their meal, engaging their mind and their instinctual
behavior.

You can also simply place a few treats inside the feeder before you leave for work, offering a fun and rewarding
activity while you are away. Cats typically enjoy the hunt, so by giving them a challenge, you activate their minds as
well as their bodies. Puzzle feeders come in a variety of sizes, styles, and challenges. You can even try hiding a few
puzzle feeders in different parts of the house to help engage hunting behavior. Hopefully, you'll come home to a content
kitty that has had a full day of hunting.

![Cat interacting with an enrichment puzzle feeder](/img/01673f6b)

## Safe and Varied Cat Toys

Making sure that there are plenty of toys to play with is also important. Try to have a variety of types of toys, from
catnip toys to balls to scratching posts. You also don't have to spend a fortune on fancy toys from the pet store; there
are so many great resources online showing how to make DIY cat toys.

Whether it's a DIY toy or store-bought, inspect each toy carefully before giving it to your cat to ensure there are no
small pieces or ribbon that are easy to remove and could potentially be ingested.

![Assortment of feline play toys and enrichment items](/img/ba53a607)

## Window Entertainment: Bird and Squirrel Feeders

Bird feeders are a wonderful source of entertainment—it's like having TV for cats! It's a nice way for your cat to get
some of the enjoyment of the outdoors without actually going outside.

Set up bird and squirrel feeders near windows in different parts of your yard to allow your cat to follow birds from
window to window. Make sure they have either a shelf or cat tree at the window to allow for safe viewing.

![Cat observing wildlife through a window perch](/img/d9be6d1b)

## Dedicated One-on-One Playtime

There are a lot of creative ways to make sure that your cat has a happy and full life, but there is no substitute for
one-on-one playtime. Spend time interacting with your furry companion. Run around the house with a wand or string toy
and let them chase you. Teach your kitty how to play fetch and spend 30 minutes just having a blast. At the end of the
day, taking the time to bond with your cat and seeing the love that you get in return makes it all worthwhile!

*Special thanks to Catie, our patient care specialist, for helping write this blog!*