Environmental enrichment for indoor cats is supported by growing scientific evidence. Understanding what actually works helps owners provide meaningful enrichment rather than expensive ineffective products.
Cat enrichment science has moved well beyond "give them a toy." The evidence shows that what matters most is matching enrichment to the individual cat's preferences and motivations, providing genuine opportunities for predatory behavior expression, ensuring sufficient vertical space, and maintaining consistent positive interaction with trusted humans. Many commercially marketed cat enrichment products provide little real benefit, while simple interventions — food puzzles, wand toy play sessions, cat-proofed window access — are highly effective.