10 Ways To Mentally Stimulate and Exercise Your Cat

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Exercise for cats is about more than just physical fitness. It also provides mental stimulation for cats, helping improve their overall well-being by channeling their natural feline instincts.

“For cats, play is predatory behavior. Cats who don’t get to hunt and problem solve can become bored and may act out,” says Stephen Quandt, certified feline training and behavior specialist and founder of Feline Behavior Associates.

From interactive toys to bringing the outdoors inside, read on as we explore everything from catnip and catios. Here are 10 ways to provide mental stimulation and exercise for your cat.

1. Interactive Play

Scheduling time each day to interact and play with your cat is a great way to engage them physically and mentally while also strengthening your bond.

Wand toys are excellent for interactive play because they encourage your cat to act out their prey sequence of stalking, pouncing, and biting. Whether your cat prefers a spray of feathers, curly ribbons with jingle bells, or tiny plush prey like birds, mice, or fish, there’s a wand toy for every purrsonality.

The key is to make sure to let them actually complete their full hunting sequence. “Don’t frustrate your cat by not letting them get a ‘kill bite,’” explains Quandt. “They need to sink their teeth into that toy at regular intervals, so they get the satisfaction of ‘killing’ [their prey].”

For interactive hiding games, place some of your cat’s favorite toys under towels and blankets, and watch as they work to get them out. You can also hide the items—or even yourself—around the house for your cat to find. These games of hide-and-seek are a great way to tap into your cat’s hunting instincts.

2. Food Enrichment

If your cat is more food-motivated than toy-motivated, consider using puzzle toys and lick mats, as well as playing scavenging games.

Puzzle toys are an effective way to help hyperactive cats burn off energy and get less-active cats up and moving. Puzzles also work a cat’s brain as they move pieces, dig, or bat the toy around to get the food out. Lick mats help soothe your cat and replicate foraging behaviors.

To create a scavenger hunt, hide treats around the house so your cat has to walk around and sniff out where their food is, similar to what they’d do in the wild.

3. Scratching Surfaces

Scratching is a quintessential cat behavior for marking territory and maintaining claws, which isn’t always good news for your furniture. That’s why it’s a good idea to provide cats with a designated scratching area or items.

Cats love traction, so when choosing a scratching post, look for one with nubby textures, such as sisal or carpet. If your cat loves to climb, look for sturdy posts and wall-mounted scratchers that are at least 3 feet high.

You don’t have to break the bank with fancy scratching surfaces, though. Boxes made from corrugated cardboard are also a solid choice.

4. Catnip

Catnip is a tried-and-true way to engage your cat in different activities, as it boosts your kitty’s mood and jump-starts their play. According to Dr. Angelica Dimock, managing shelter veterinarian at the Animal Humane Society, catnip acts as a stimulus for many cats, triggering their reward system and making them more active or playful.

To promote mental and physical stimulation for your cat, give them a stuffed catnip toy to kick and bat around. Or try a more unique method with catnip bubbles, which will have them leaping and swatting with delight.

5. Training & Tricks

One of the best ways to provide mental stimulation for your cat is to train them! Just like dogs, cats can learn obedience skills and tricks through positive reinforcement methods like clicker training.

A little training can go a long way, too. Set aside 10-15 minutes each day to stimulate your cat’s brain with tricks you can learn together, like weaving, spinning, sitting, and targeting. You can also train your cat to modify unwanted behavior, such as rewarding them for staying off your countertops.

6. Agility

Is there anything better than creating an agility course for your kitty and watching them joyfully bound through it? We think not!

When building your agility course, there are lots of tunnels available for purchase. Or you can make your own out of paper bags. For another DIY course option, boxes make great passages, as well as objects to jump onto and into.

7. Laser Toys

Laser pointers and self-moving laser toys can get your kitty moving, hopping from spot to spot to catch the light. But it’s important to use them correctly.

Because your cat can’t physically catch and “kill” the dot, they can become overstimulated and agitated. When using laser toys, make sure they can still “kill” their prey to avoid frustration. Quandt says one way to do this is to hide treats in various locations and then use the laser toy to guide your cat to the snack.

8. Vertical Spaces

If there’s one thing we know about cats, it’s that they like to climb! Providing your cat with vertical space via cat trees and window perches is a fun way to encourage movement.

Cat trees really have it all: multiple tiers for climbing and jumping, scratching posts, dangling toys, and play nooks. They’re basically an all-in-one kitty playground.

While window perches are a less physically active option, they provide your cat plenty of mental stimulation by offering a front-row view of birds, squirrels, and other goings-on outside. Just be sure your perch is securely installed and can support your cat jumping on and off.

9. Go Outside

Spending time outdoors is one of the most mentally stimulating activities your cat can engage in, but it’s important that your kitty does it safely. One of the best ways to get outdoor exercise is to get a cat harness and leash for walks around your yard or in a quiet area in your neighborhood.

If your cat doesn’t do well on walks, consider buying or building a catio so they can leap around and explore in an enclosed space with a view. If you’re looking for a smaller, more affordable option, a portable catio lets you place it in different spots to change up your kitty’s scenery.

You can also bring the outdoors inside to them, by making a small indoor garden, specifically with cat-safe plants they can sniff and explore.

10. Cat Wheels & Treadmills

Wheels—they’re not just for hamsters! Keep your cat movin’ and groovin’ with a cat exercise wheel or treadmill.

These feline fitness gadgets provide an excellent outlet for the most energetic zoomies-prone kitties. For apprehensive kitties, start slow and encourage them onto the wheel with a treat or toy until they get the hang of it.