Your first indoor enrichment kit: rest, chase, and wind-down

Think of it as a routine, not a pile of toys

An enrichment kit does not need to be big. For most indoor cats, a good day has a simple shape: rest somewhere comfy, have a short hunt, then settle down again. If your gear matches those three steps, you have a kit.

We have ordered three pieces of gear to try at home, one for each step. They have not arrived yet, so we have not tried them with our cat. This guide is about the routine itself and how each piece could fit into it. If you want detail on choosing any one item, we link to our full guides below.

Step one: a resting spot

Start with somewhere your cat already likes to be. For a lot of indoor cats that is a sunny window. A window hammock adds a seat right at the glass, which can suit cats who like to watch birds and traffic.

Window hammock with suction cups

A soft bed that attaches to window glass with suction cups. Easy to move between sunny spots.

• Mount: suction cups on clean, smooth glass
• Check: press down on it before your cat tries it
• Placement: a closed window your cat already likes

We've ordered this to try at home and will share how it goes once it arrives and we've lived with it for a bit.

For mounting, weight limits and glass types, see our window hammock guide. If you are weighing up a bed instead, soft beds vs hammocks compares the two.

Step two: a short, supervised chase

When your cat wakes and stretches, that is a good moment for play. Keep it short. Five to ten minutes is often enough, and you stay in the room the whole time.

Self-moving interactive ball

A light ball that moves on its own to invite a chase.

• Use: short, supervised play sessions
• Best on: clear floors, away from stairs
• Put away: after play, so it stays interesting

We've ordered this to try at home and will share how it goes once it arrives and we've lived with it for a bit.

USB flopping fish

A soft fish-shaped toy that moves, so your cat gets something to pounce on and kick.

• Use: short play bursts, then put away
• Charging: kept out of reach while it charges
• Check: seams and fabric after each session

We've ordered this to try at home and will share how it goes once it arrives and we've lived with it for a bit.

You do not need both toys out at once. Pick one per session and swap them on different days. Our guides to self-moving cat balls and USB flopping fish toys cover what to check before you choose.

Step three: put moving toys away and wind down

This step is easy to skip, but it matters. Moving toys are exciting, and a toy that keeps going after the game ends can keep a cat wound up. So when the session is over:

• Switch off any moving toy and put it somewhere your cat cannot reach.
• Slow the game down with a few gentle wand flicks or a treat to "catch".
• Offer a meal or a small treat to close the hunt.
• Let your cat head back to their resting spot on their own.

Putting toys away also keeps them special. A toy that only appears at play time tends to hold interest longer than one that sits on the floor all week. For more ideas on this rhythm, read after the window nap.

A sample day

• Morning: a nap in the window spot while the house gets going.
• Late morning: one short chase with a single toy, then it goes away.
• Afternoon: back to the window, or a nap wherever the sun has moved.
• Evening: a second short session before dinner, then a calm wind-down.

Every cat is different. Some want more play, some much less. Watch your cat and adjust.

What we will share later

Once the three samples arrive and we have lived with them for a while, we will update this guide with how each one fitted into a normal day at home, including anything our cat ignored.

FAQ

Do I need all three pieces to start?

No. The routine matters more than the gear. A folded blanket on a sunny sill and a wand toy can cover rest and chase while you decide what else suits your cat.

Can I leave moving toys out while I am at work?

We would not. Supervised play is safer, and putting toys away keeps them interesting.

How many play sessions a day?

Two or three short sessions suit many indoor cats. Watch how your cat responds and adjust from there.