My family has 4 cats and 4 dogs. But I live in a single cat household.

My cat, Jericho, was born in the streets. We adopted him around the age of 1.

Jericho is very close to me. We are a bonded pair.

In this guide, I will discuss how I keep him happy, entertained, and less lonely.

These tips apply to all cats.

Your single cat household guide:

  1. Enrichment makes single cats happy
  2. Mental stimulation keeps your cat entertained
  3. Cat furniture nurtures your cat’s wild side
  4. Activity centers will keep your cat from being bored
  5. Cat-safe toys are great for exercise
  6. Routines help your cat feel safe

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pin image how to keep a single cat happy indoors

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single cat household window perch

Does a single cat get lonely?

Cats in a single cat household may get bored and lonely if you don’t provide proper enrichment, mental stimulation, and spend quality time together. Get high-quality cat furniture, fun activity centers, and play with your single cat daily to prevent health and behavior issues.

Enrichment makes single cats happy

Enrichment is important for cats because it keeps them entertained.

We have to nurture the cat’s wild side.

Your cat is wild. Even if he’s never been outside.

These wild instincts have been ingrained for thousands of years.

Just think about how difficult it is to break a habit…

Most important enrichment:

  • Scratching
  • Hunting
  • Hiding
  • Resting
  • Clean bathroom
Scratching

Scratching relieves stress, sheds dead layers of claws, and it allows cats to mark their territory.

If you don’t get proper scratching areas, your cat will scratch your furniture.

Never declaw your cat.

It’s a serious amputation of the toe. And, declawed cats still have the urge to scratch.

purrfect post scratcher
Jericho loved Purrfect Post right away
Best high-quality scratchers:
Best budget-friendly scratchers:

Cheap scratchers are better than no scratchers!

Or you could upcycle your scratching post with carpet.

Hunting

Cats hunt for food. Duh.

Hunting also provides cats with exercise and mental stimulation.

It’s like when we accomplish our goals and complete tasks.

Our brains reward us with happy-feel-good chemicals.

jericho hunting for treats
Hide treats on jar lids on condos, beds, Ripple Rug

You can hide healthy treats on glass jar lids or use treat-release mice toys.

Treat-release mice toys are available on Amazon and Chewy.

single cat household cat hiding in ripple rug
Hiding

Most cats are shy and timid.

Cats prefer everything to be done on their terms.

So hiding spots indoors are a must for cats to feel safe.

Jericho loves to hide in his Ripple Rug (on Amazon and Chewy). Don’t be fooled by the knock-offs!

Check Ripple Rug website for more color options and international shipping.

cat sleeping in organic cotton bed
Resting

Wild cats sleep a lot. They need to save their energy for hunting.

Indoor cats tend to sleep a lot too. But typically it’s because they don’t get enough enrichment.

Catnaps are fine throughout the day, but proper exercise is needed daily.

A tired cat is a happy cat!

Bonus! Cat beds are great for both resting and hiding.

My top cat bed picks:
Clean bathroom

Unfortunately, many people overlook the importance of a clean litter box.

A clean litter box can prevent health and behavior issues.

If your cat refuses the box, it’s likely that it isn’t clean enough.

Plus, your cat deserves a clean bathroom just like you.

Use my guides:

Mimic the wild cat’s enrichment indoors to make your single cat happy. A happy cat is a healthy cat.

single cat household cat rubbing on catnip toy

Mental stimulation keeps your cat entertained

Mental stimulation is important for cats. It prevents boredom and stress.

Wild cats get mental stimulation from hunting.

Indoor cats don’t hunt. So it’s our responsibility to provide mental stimulation.

Let’s think about your life:

  • Creativity makes you happy
  • Exercise prevents stress
  • Meditation prevents anxiety
  • Activities keep you entertained

The same applies to our cats!

cat amazing food puzzle toy
Jericho loves hunting for treats in Cat Amazing Sliders

Puzzle toys provide a lot of mental stimulation and enrichment.

These puzzle toys simulate the hunting experience indoors the most. Your cat has to work for his treats!

Cat Amazing is truly an amazing puzzle toy. They have beginner and advanced puzzle toys for cats.

Buy Cat Amazing puzzle toy on Chewy and Amazon.

Cats need mental stimulation just like we do. Mental stimulation prevents boredom and stress.

single cat household cat playing with ball

Cat furniture nurtures your cat’s wild side

The right cat furniture provides entertainment and enrichment.

Cat furniture is crucial. You don’t want your cat to scratch your furniture and climb your kitchen counters.

Bored cats also knock things off of counters, get into trouble, and make a mess in your apartment.

My top picks

Tuft + Paw Frond Cat Tree
  • Made with natural oak and sisal
  • Multiple levels for climbing, perching, and resting
  • Many places to scratch and stretch

Buy it on Tuft + Paw.

single cat household cat supplies cat perching on cat ladder
Jericho scratches, climbs, and perches on his Cat Ladder daily
Cat Ladder
  • Made with wood and carpet
  • Choose from many sizes that fit your space
  • Cats can climb, rest, and scratch

Buy it on Etsy.

Mau Cat Condos
  • Made with real tree branches and soft plush
  • Cats can climb, scratch, and rest
  • A new tree is planted for every purchase made

Buy it on Etsy.

make your cat happy window perch
Window perch:
  • Doesn’t take up floor space
  • Memory foam and washable cover
  • Hook loop fastening strip and metal legs (no power tools required)

Tip: Rest one side of the perch on your cat’s condo for added support.

Buy it on Amazon (same one pictured above) or Chewy (similar).

Pet Tree Houses
  • Made with real tree branches, carpet, and silk leaves
  • The ultimate treehouse for your cat
  • Cats can climb, rest, scratch, perch, and hide

Buy it on Etsy.

cat condo supplies
Budget-friendly condo
  • Sturdy enough
  • Better than no condo
  • Jericho loves his

Buy it on Amazon and Chewy.

single cat household make your cat happy diy cat condo
Jericho loves to run up the DIY stairs, hop up on the grey condo ledge, jump down to the window perch, and then jumps up to the top of the Cat Ladder
DIY furniture

Maybe you prefer DIY and don’t have a woodshop (like me).

I assembled wire shelves to make a climbing stair-like condo.

Buy 3-tier wire shelves and stackable wire shelves on Amazon.

The wire shelves linked above are from the same company so you should be able to mix and match.

Other materials for DIY cat furniture:

Tip: Put your cat’s condos by the window for added entertainment.

Cat furniture keeps cats entertained because it provides enrichment.

Activity centers will keep your cat from being bored

Activity centers provide enrichment and mental stimulation.

ripple rug activity center with toys

My cat’s favorite activity center is the Ripple Rug.

  • Made with recycled plastic bottles
  • Cats can scratch, rest, hide, hunt, and play
  • Hide treats and toys inside ripples
  • Cats can play by themselves safely
  • Spot clean easily with water or throw it in the wash on cold delicate cycle then hang dry

Buy the Ripple Rug on Amazon and Chewy.

Cat activity play rugs are perfect for getting your cat to play by himself.

food foraging mat
Jericho noses around for treats on his foraging mat

A food foraging mat is also great for mental stimulation.

Another fun way to simulate the hunting experience indoors!

Buy a food foraging mat on Etsy and Amazon.

cat playing with diy cat toy toilet paper roll string

Cat-safe toys are great for exercise

Cat-safe toys play by the same rules.

Natural materials are a must.

Toys are in and out of your cat’s mouth and roll around on the floor.

Buy washable toys or replace them regularly.

Tip: Check out my video how I get my cat to play with me every day.

cotton wool chase toys for cats

My top picks on Etsy

Purrfect Play
  • Made with cotton, wool, hemp, and certified organic catnip
  • Catnip-free toys available
  • 3% of proceeds are donated to animal charities

Buy Purrfect Play.

purring saw catnip toy pouncers
Chester and Pearl
  • Wand toy is made with wood and Minky fabric
  • Detachable and washable
  • Mimics mama’s tail, your cat’s first toy
  • Pouncers are fun for hunting and chasing

Buy Chester and Pearl.

silvervine stick for cat chewing
Meowy Janes
  • Catnip and alternatives like Silvervine and Valerian
  • Matatabi sticks are fun to chase and chew
  • Cat grooming sets available

Buy Meowy Janes.

rabbit fur toys
Whiskers n Paws
  • Toys made with real rabbit fur
  • Catnip toys available
  • Wand toys available

Buy Whiskers n Paws.

kitty whip wand toy
Jericho enjoying the Kitty Whip
Kitty Whip
  • Made with reclaimed wood
  • Cotton, hemp, or leather whip
  • The most natural wand toy you’ll find

Buy Kitty Whip.

If you prefer DIY cat toys:

More cat toys on Amazon and Chewy

cat dancer toy playing under the door

The Cat Dancer is a simple, affordable, and very effective toy.

Buy it on Amazon and Chewy. Chewy’s is their own version of The Cat Dancer.

cat playing with wand toy

Wand toys with several attachments come in handy when your cat gets bored. The clasp allows you to use any toy with it.

Buy it on Amazon and Chewy.

Cat toys and activity centers mimic the hunting experience and provide mental stimulation. This keeps single cats happy and entertained.

how to treat a cat diy food puzzle toilet paper rolls

Routines help your cat feel safe

Cats need routines in their lives because it makes them feel safe.

Let’s go back to the cat’s wild side…

Imagine you live outside. You’d have to:

  • Hunt for food
  • Find a quiet, safe place to sleep
  • Fight for survival
  • Find a safe place to do your business

You’d want your day to be predictable, right?

This is how your cat sees life. Even if your cat has never been outside.

Remember, these instincts are ingrained.

Any changes to your routines will stress out your cat.

brushing routine for cats

Healthy routine examples:

  • Litter box location and proper maintenance
  • Scheduled mealtimes
  • Play, eat, groom, sleep
  • Scheduled grooming
  • Cuddles and naptime together

These routines will help your single cat feel safe indoors.

Need a centralized place to keep track of everything related to your cat? Grab my Cat Care Binder Bundle!

Cats prefer predictability and routine. They don’t like surprises.

cat cuddling with human on bed

Final thoughts on single cat households

We must nurture the cat’s wild side to prevent boredom and loneliness.

Especially when you live in a single cat household.

Cats need fun activities and routines in their lives to feel safe and happy.

Provide enrichment, mental stimulation, and playtime daily.

This will prevent loneliness, boredom, behavior issues, and stress.

A happy cat is a healthy cat.

Ready to upgrade your cat’s food? My Switch to Raw Blueprint video course provides everything you need to go from low-quality dry/wet food to a healthy, fresh, raw diet!