When the weather outside gets increasingly rainy, many cats no longer want to venture outside and get bored at home. Indoor cats also need new stimuli to live a happy life. Especially in autumn you can find ingenious things in nature to keep the cats in your apartment entertained.

This enrichment idea is simple and budget-friendly: gather a few handfuls of clean, dry leaves, ensuring that they are safe and non-toxic to cats. Place the leaves into an open box on the floor, and watch your cat dive in! You may be surprised to see quite how much cats enjoy rolling around in the fresh leaves, often burrowing in and hiding in them, which can give them a strong feeling of safety and security.³ After a few days, replace the leaves, as the fresh foliage brings completely new smells that your feline friend will most likely react to.⁴ An inexpensive and easy enrichment.

In autumn you can find chestnuts everywhere, even in the city. Collect the nuts and fill up a small box with them. Hide a few treats for the cat between the chestnuts and the fun can begin.

Cleaned and untreated twigs and bark are ideal for sniffing, playing or building a small obstacle course with. A bonus: aside from being fun to play with, they also stimulate your cat's sense of smell, which can increase their desire to explore and contributes positively to their well-being.^6,7

The family fun of pumpkin carving can also serve as a fun attraction for your cat. Hollow out a large pumpkin (until all pumpkin flesh has been removed) and carve holes (at least large enough for a cat's paw to fit through) into the pumpkin. Then, put a few treats such as leaves and acorns (just for playing) in the pumpkin, then put the lid back on.

Provide your cat with a window seat where they can watch the falling leaves, birds, and squirrels as they move through the autumn foliage. This visual stimulation is beneficial for your cat. Alternatively, you can play nature videos that showcase the rustling of colourful leaves and display various animals such as birds, squirrels and mice. Your cat can observe everything that the lively autumn scenes have to offer.

You know your cat best. When you take a walk outside on an autumn day, gather anything your cat might enjoy, provided there is no risk of injury or poisoning. Remember, keeping your cat active isn’t just about physical fitness; their nose, ears and mind also need stimulation to ensure they stay fit, healthy and happy.