10 Signs Your Cat Is Bored and How to Fix Them

Cats are mysterious creatures. Even if you’ve been a proud fur parent for many years, their ways of showing happiness, affection, anger, and even boredom, can still be mind-boggling!

While your furry friend might not be able to directly communicate its needs with you, there are a few telltale signs that your kitty needs some physical and mental stimulation in its life.

So, before your beloved pet starts scratching your furniture, unraveling your rolls of toilet paper, and creating cute chaos in your home, it’s best to be aware of these signs of cat boredom, and provide some much-needed cat-tertainment as soon as paw-sible!

1. Sleeping More Than Usual

Cats love to sleep—on average, they slumber for around 12 to 16 hours each day, with some kitties getting up to 20 hours of beauty rest daily! 

However, if you find your pet dozing off much more than usual, at times when they’re normally alert and engaged, this could be a sign of boredom. Cats who lack proper stimulation can quickly become couch potatoes and choose to sleep to pass the time.

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2. Overeating or Loss of Appetite

Ever heard of the term “emotional eating”? Your cat might be familiar with it, too!

Bored kitties can look a lot like their human owners, who may eat to fill a sense of emptiness, feel temporary pleasure, or escape from negative emotions. 

They can also go the other way and lose their appetite altogether. When it comes to changes in your pet’s eating habits, it’s best to consult your vet, as this can also indicate a health problem.

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3. Excessive Grooming

Do you notice your furry friend licking, biting, or pawing at itself non-stop, to the point of causing skin irritation and coughing up a lot more hairballs on your floor? 

You may have a bored feline on your hands! 

Cats often resort to excessive grooming to self-soothe and reduce their anxiety when they lack physical or mental stimulation. Other signs include major hair loss and bald spots on their fur.

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4. Destructive Habits

Whether it’s scratching at furniture, climbing the curtains, or chewing on household items, bored cats usually go looking for trouble—and find it! 

As tempting as it can be, don’t get mad at your mischievous kitty, as this may be its way of trying to find entertainment and combating the pain of boredom. Destructive habits can be a cry for help or a call for attention from a distressed cat.

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5. Loss of Interest in Daily Activities

Another sign of cat boredom is if your playful pet suddenly seems glum or uninterested in what used to be its favorite toys, irresistible treats, or beloved playmates and hangout spots.

However, this characteristic can also mean that your cat is feeling sad or depressed. If your kitty’s depressive mood persists, an animal behaviorist or local vet can help cheer up your pet!

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6. Attention-Seeking Behavior

Cats have a variety of tricks up their sleeve when it comes to asking for attention. From following you around the house—yes, even to the bathroom, to hopping onto your lap, plopping down on your laptop, and pawing while staring at you with those round, intelligent eyes.

As cute as it seems, all of this extra clinginess and attention-seeking behavior could be your cat trying to tell you that it’s bored. So, it’s seeking love and interaction from its favorite companion!

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7. Inappropriate Elimination

Unfortunately, boredom can also look like a well-trained cat that starts pooping and peeing in places around the house where it shouldn’t be. This is especially true if your pet is left in a tight, confined space with an uncomfortable or overflowing litter box and little to no stimulation.

Be sure to check for other reasons behind a cat changing its bathroom behavior, such as pregnancy or medical problems like a urinary tract infection.

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8. Chasing or Fighting Other Pets

Does your quiet home get disrupted by a noisy catfight every now and then? 

A common sign of boredom in cats is chasing and causing trouble with other pets in the household—both feline and canine, as a way of releasing their pent-up energy. 

While play fights can be your pet’s innocent way of having fun through exciting and fast-paced interactions, it’s possible to replace them with safer and more peaceful forms of stimulation.

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9. Excessive Meowing

A bored cat might meow, howl, or growl at you loudly, with no plans of stopping! 

This cat behavior is called excessive vocalization. It’s your pet’s way of communicating its needs with you and asking for attention and amusement.

If they haven’t tired themselves out during the day, they can even choose to do this behavior at weird hours of the night which might interrupt a good night’s rest for everyone in your home.

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10. Aggression Towards Humans

Boredom can lead to anxious, aggressive, and irritable behavior—even in a normally well-behaved cat! Not having an outlet for a quick-thinking mind and energetic body can be unhealthy for your kitty, resulting in outbursts or lashing out even at its beloved fur parents.

The typical body language of an aggressive cat includes crouching, flattening its ears, tucking its tail, hissing, swatting, scratching, and biting. The best way to calm an angry kitty is to use slow movements and soft tones while giving them time and space to cool down.

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How to Fix Cat Boredom for Healthy, Happy Kitties

Now that you’re familiar with the signs of cat boredom, and have confirmed with your vet that your pet has no health issues, it’s time to begin the battle against boredom! 

Thankfully, there are countless ways to keep your cat engaged and bring much-needed physical and mental stimulation into their life, and most of them can be done in the comfort of your home.

Here’s how you can make each day more happy and exciting for your furry friend:

• Enjoy short, fun 15-minute play sessions multiple times a day, and use interactive cat toys that engage your cat’s hunting instincts.
• Enrich your cat’s environment by providing plenty of places to climb, scratching posts, cat trees, and spots for hiding and exploring.
• Encourage your cat to get some exercise by playing with feather wands and laser pointers or taking them outside for some fun in the sun.
• Organize play time with other pet owners and cats for socialization and stimulation.
• Provide an interactive food experience for your cat with fun puzzles and hidden treats.

So, what are you waiting for? Try one of these tips out to banish boredom and strengthen the bond you share with your cat. Your cute companion will thank you for it!

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