As the weather turns rainy, many cats may prefer to stay indoors, due to their aversion to water, and often grow bored and restless without anything to do.¹ Indoor cats, too, need variety and enrichment to live a happy life.² The autumn months offer a treasure trove of natural inspiration, with many ingenious creative ways to keep your feline friend entertained at home.

This enrichment idea is simple and budget-friendly: gather a few handfuls of clean, dry leaves, ensuring that they are safe and non-toxic to cats. Place the leaves into an open box on the floor, and watch your cat dive in! You may be surprised to see quite how much cats enjoy rolling around in the fresh leaves, often burrowing in and hiding in them, which can give them a strong feeling of safety and security.³ After a few days, replace the leaves, as the fresh foliage brings completely new smells that your feline friend will most likely react to.⁴ An inexpensive and easy enrichment.

In autumn, even in the city, you can find chestnuts everywhere. Collect the nuts (without their outer shells) and fill up a small box with them. Hide a few treats for your cat between the chestnuts and the fun can begin in the adventure box, allowing your cat to go on a little treat hunt.⁵

Cleaned and untreated twigs and bark are ideal for sniffing, playing or building a small obstacle course with. A bonus: aside from being fun to play with, they also stimulate your cat's sense of smell, which can increase their desire to explore and contributes positively to their well-being.^6,7

The family fun of pumpkin carving can also serve as a fun attraction for your cat. Hollow out a large pumpkin (until all pumpkin flesh has been removed) and carve holes (at least large enough for a cat's paw to fit through) into the pumpkin. Then, put a few treats such as leaves and acorns (just for playing) in the pumpkin, then put the lid back on.

Provide your cat with a window seat where they can watch the falling leaves, birds, and squirrels as they move through the autumn foliage. This visual stimulation is beneficial for your cat. Alternatively, you can play nature videos that showcase the rustling of colourful leaves and display various animals such as birds, squirrels and mice. Your cat can observe everything that the lively autumn scenes have to offer.

You know your cat best. When you take a walk outside on an autumn day, gather anything your cat might enjoy, provided there is no risk of injury or poisoning. Remember, keeping your cat active isn’t just about physical fitness; their nose, ears and mind also need stimulation to ensure they stay fit, healthy and happy.