Can you write a post on mental stimulation for cats to go with the dog one? 🥺
Context: I have two littermates who just turned a year old and they *do* play with each other a lot but they also like me and want me to engage with them!
Context 2: I have chronic pain/fatigue so Jackson Galaxy is a bit too ambitious for me. 😂
Absolutely I can! I’m gonna break this into two parts: hands-off methods and more hands-on methods. I’ve tried to list options that will be low-energy for you!
Also, note that cat brains and dog brains are very different, so it’s a little harder to provide structured stimulation for cats.
I do not have any affiliation with the attached links! I just thought they were good resources <3
Mental Stimulation for Cats
Part One: Hands-Off Methods
Puzzle toys: just like dogs, there are a variety of puzzle toys out there for cats! There are treat dispensers they can bat around, or puzzles where they have to move things around to get to their snacks. This gives them the illusion of “hunting” for their kibble or treats and activates the problem solving parts of their brain. Just like with dogs, you’re going to have to train them how to use these; it isn’t a skill they’ll naturally know.
Cat TV: youtube is FULL of cat videos, and also videos for cats. Try a few of them out! My cats LOVE watching squirrels and birds run across the TV.
NOTE: make sure your TV is stable and secure and won’t fall on your kitties if they bat at it!
Toy variety: there are SO many toys out there for cats. Ball tracks, kicker toys, tunnels, smaller toys they can bat or carry around, wand toys, motion activated toys… the list goes on and on. Try a variety of toys for your kitties. This not only will show you what kind of toys they like, but will also offer different types of enrichment!
Scratching surfaces: We all know that scratching is important for cats (keeps their claws honed AND is important for their kitty brains!) but you can take it to another level by offering a variety of textures and surfaces for them to scratch. There’s cardboard, twine, carpet… try different textures out and see what your cats like!
Window bird feeders: did you know they make bird feeders that suction to the outside of your window? We have two, and my cats go crazy for them. One of my kitties will sit there and stare at the window and wait for a squirrel to climb up, or a bird to land. Hours of entertainment for them. And for you, if you wanna watch.
Part Two: Hands-On Methods
Wand toys: wand toys are probably the easiest way to be hands-on with your cat. And while you CAN run across your entire house, you definitely don’t have to. It can be just as effective for you to sit on the couch and wave the toy around as your cat chases after it. Also, there are so many different TYPES of wand toys. There are ribbon or string toys, or toys with feathers, or toys with plushies at the end for your cat to pounce on. If your cat doesn’t like one type of wand toy, try another! (If you want a super cheap option, there’s the cat dancer that’s literally cardboard at the end of a wire and cats go crazy for it. I believe it also comes with something that you can hang it on your wall when you’re not actively using it so cats can still play!)
Clicker training: Okay. I know you said Jackson Galaxy is too ambitious. BUT. Hear me out. Clicker training is sooo good for mental stimulation. It’s a very gradual process, but once you teach your cat that the click is a good thing, you can shape any behavior you want! This is essential for the next skill, too. Here is a video on clicker training, and here is a link to a clicker. (She says they’re different from dog clickers, but I don’t really think there’s enough of a difference to justify the price point difference.)
Fetch: this is a skill that takes a while to teach, because you have to do something called shaping the behavior. Still, even training your cat to fetch can be a great bonding experience! And once they learn how to do it, it’s more low-effort for you. Here is a video I found that covers step-by-step fetch training from the beginning.
NOTE: Avoid laser pointers! The problem with laser pointers is that cats want to hunt them, but they can’t actually CATCH them. And this is very discouraging for our little hunter friends. It’s not good for their kitty brains, and so I recommend trying other methods, even though laser pointers seem like an easy way to wear your cat out.












