Companion Animals

Companion Cat Indoor Hunting Instincts and Enrichment

Meeting cats indoor hunting needs reduces stress and behaviour problems.

Key Facts

Cats are obligate carnivore predators with strong prey drive regardless of feeding
Hunting involves stalking, pouncing, catching, and biting — not just chasing
Cats may make 10-20 mock hunting attempts per day in adequate conditions
Puzzle feeders that require effort to access food satisfy predatory sequences

Welfare Considerations

Indoor cats without outlets for predatory behaviour redirect these drives to inappropriate targets — human hands, ankles, and other pets — or develop frustration-related behaviours. Providing opportunities to complete the full predatory sequence through interactive play and puzzle feeding satisfies fundamental motivational needs. Cats that can hunt, even in play, show calmer, more contented behaviour overall.

What You Can Do

Schedule two daily interactive play sessions mimicking prey movement
Use puzzle feeders and food toys to extend the time cats spend acquiring food
Provide a variety of toys that satisfy different predatory elements
Rotate toys regularly to maintain novelty and predatory interest