ardam, formerly CDK9 Raw, is a dog-focused raw feeding company, but the principle of enrichment applies to every pet, including cats. Cats have a reputation for lounging, but they are genuinely curious animals that need mental stimulation to stay happy and avoid boredom-driven behaviours. This guide covers practical ways to enrich your cat's daily life. If you also share your home with a dog, our feeding quiz and sample pack can help you get their nutrition and enrichment routine sorted at the same time.
Why cats need enrichment too
Without regular mental stimulation, cats can become bored, which may contribute to issues like excessive scratching, overgrooming, or general restlessness. Enrichment taps into a cat's natural instincts, including hunting, exploring and climbing, giving them healthy outlets for behaviours they would naturally express in the wild. A well-enriched environment supports a calmer, more content cat.
Puzzle feeders
Puzzle feeders encourage your cat to work for their food, mimicking natural hunting behaviour rather than simply eating from a static bowl. These come in a wide range of designs and difficulty levels, so you can start simple and increase the challenge as your cat gets more confident. This is a great option regardless of what food your cat normally eats, since most puzzle feeders can be adapted to wet, dry or a mix of food types.
Interactive play
Feather wands, laser pointers (always paired with a physical toy or treat at the end so your cat gets a satisfying "catch") and toys that mimic small prey movements all tap into a cat's natural hunting drive. Short, focused play sessions a few times a day tend to be more engaging than one long session, since they mirror how cats naturally hunt in short bursts.
Hiding spots and tunnels
Cats are natural explorers, and having safe spaces to hide, observe and retreat to supports their sense of security and curiosity. A simple cardboard box or a purpose-built tunnel can provide hours of engagement, and hiding a toy or treat inside adds an extra layer of enrichment.
Scent enrichment
A cat's sense of smell is a major part of how they experience their environment. Introducing new, cat-safe scents, such as a supervised sniff of a plant brought in from outside, or cat-safe herbs like catnip or silvervine, can provide a novel sensory experience. Always check that anything you introduce is non-toxic to cats before offering it.
Climbing and vertical space
Cats naturally seek out height, both to observe their surroundings and to feel secure. Cat trees, wall-mounted shelves or a simple window perch give your cat the opportunity to climb, perch and survey their territory, which is both physically and mentally engaging.
Training your cat
Cats are capable of learning through positive reinforcement, much like dogs. Clicker training or simple reward-based exercises, like teaching a "sit" or a "high five," can be a fun way to build focus and strengthen your bond, while giving your cat's mind something new to work on.
Reading your cat's individual preferences
Every cat has their own personality and preferences, and enrichment works best when tailored to the individual. Some cats are highly food motivated and will happily spend long stretches working a puzzle feeder, while others are more play driven and prefer an energetic session with a wand toy. Older cats or those with mobility limitations may prefer lower-effort enrichment like gentle scent exploration or a comfortable window perch rather than high-energy play. Watching how your own cat responds to different activities over a few weeks will tell you far more than any general guide can.
It is also worth noting that multi-cat households sometimes need enrichment resources duplicated, such as multiple scratching posts or perches, to reduce competition and allow each cat their own space to explore comfortably.
A note on ardam's focus
ardam's raw mixes (Beef, Chicken and Duck) are formulated specifically for dogs, and we do not currently offer a cat food range. If you are looking for cat-specific nutrition advice, our comprehensive guide to raw cat food covers the general principles of feeding a cat a raw diet, though we would still recommend speaking with your vet or a cat-focused pet nutrition specialist before making a switch. That said, the enrichment principles in this article apply to any cat, regardless of what food they eat, and we think every pet deserves a mentally engaging environment.
Building enrichment into a daily routine
Rather than treating enrichment as an occasional extra, weaving it into your cat's daily routine tends to produce the best long-term results. A puzzle feeder at breakfast, a short play session in the evening, and rotating access to a favourite perch or hideaway throughout the week keeps things engaging without requiring constant new purchases. Cats often thrive on gentle predictability paired with regular small doses of novelty, rather than large infrequent changes.
A Sydney and Australian perspective
Indoor cats are increasingly common across Sydney and other Australian cities, often for safety reasons related to traffic and local wildlife protection. Enrichment becomes even more important for indoor cats, since they do not have the same opportunities for natural exploration that outdoor access would otherwise provide. A well set up indoor environment with climbing space, hiding spots and regular interactive play can fully meet an indoor cat's enrichment needs.
When to seek extra help
If your cat shows sudden changes in behaviour, such as increased aggression, excessive hiding, or a sudden loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, it is worth booking a vet visit to rule out an underlying medical cause before assuming it is purely a lack of enrichment. Cats are often skilled at masking discomfort, so behavioural changes are always worth taking seriously.
Enrichment ideas that cost little or nothing
You do not need an expensive shopping list to enrich your cat's life meaningfully. A cardboard box with holes cut into it, a paper bag to explore, a rotated selection of existing toys, or simply spending five focused minutes on interactive play each day can make a genuine difference. Window perches that overlook birds or activity outside are often a cat's favourite form of low-effort, high-value enrichment, and cost nothing beyond access to the right spot in your home.
The key with any enrichment idea is observing what your individual cat actually responds to, since preferences vary widely between individual cats, and adjusting your approach accordingly rather than assuming one method suits every cat.
Enrichment as an act of care
Ultimately, enrichment is simply another expression of caring well for your cat, alongside good nutrition, a safe environment and regular vet check-ups. It does not need to be complicated or expensive to be meaningful. A little thought and consistency go a long way toward a genuinely content, mentally engaged cat. The RSPCA publishes further reading on cat enrichment and indoor cat welfare that pairs well with the ideas above. ardam is a dog-focused raw feeding company, so for cat food and supplies we would point you toward a cat-specific supplier, but you can still browse our blog for more pet care guides that may be useful across species.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do indoor cats need more enrichment than outdoor cats?
Indoor cats generally benefit from more deliberate enrichment since they have fewer natural opportunities to explore, hunt and climb compared to cats with outdoor access.
How often should I play with my cat?
Several short, focused play sessions throughout the day tend to work better than one long session, since this mirrors how cats naturally hunt in bursts.
Are puzzle feeders safe for all cats?
Most cats adapt well to puzzle feeders, but introduce them gradually and choose an appropriate difficulty level so your cat does not become frustrated or under-fed.
Does ardam sell cat food?
No. ardam currently specialises in raw dog food only, with an active range of Beef, Chicken and Duck mixes. For cat food, we recommend speaking with your vet or a cat-focused pet nutrition supplier.
What scents are safe to introduce to cats?
Cat-safe options like catnip or silvervine are popular, but always confirm that any plant, herb or scent is non-toxic to cats before introducing it.
Can I train my cat like a dog?
Cats can learn through positive reinforcement and reward-based training, though the pace and approach differs from dog training. Patience and consistency work well.
What is the simplest enrichment activity to start with?
A puzzle feeder or a simple cardboard box hideaway are both low-cost, easy starting points that most cats respond well to.
Reviewed by the ardam team.
