Is your sleep often interrupted by your cat’s midnight zoomies? Are the things in your shelves knocked off frequently? Is your phone under constant bite threat? Then you are probably suffering the effects of cat boredom!

If you are looking to get rid of this problems, you are in the right place. This curated list of cat boredom busters aims to offer you practical solutions you can implement in your household today.

I have compiled inspiring boredom busters so you can expand on them or add your own touch to each idea.

Table of Contents

Before You Try Any of These

I recommend you to:

Rotate toys weekly to keep interest high
Match toy type to your cat’s age, energy and any special conditions.
Supervise new toys initially and see if they are of you cat’s liking
Don’t rely only on laser toys (They can’t provide satisfaction in the end)

Cat Boredom Busters

1. Interactive Play Mat With Fast-Moving Ball – By Potaroma

Perfect toy if your cat doesn’t let you sleep because you move your feet too much.

When I saw this mat I knew it would be perfect for my cat Aurelio. He is obsessed with trying to catch whatever moves under a blanket or sheets.

Best for: Cats that love playing with anything hidden under blankets

2. Snuffle Ball – By The Fantastic Fur

@the.fantastic.fur
DIY Snuffle Ball instructions ✨ Materials Needed: – Fleece fabric in your preferred colors – 6 medium zip ties and 1 large zip tie – Scissors – A round template (a plate or bowl about 15 cm in diameter) Instructions: 1. Use your round template to trace and cut 36 fleece circles (15 cm in diameter). You can cut more circles (40–50) if you want a fuller snuffle ball. 2. Take one fleece circle, fold it in half, and then fold it again into a triangular shape. Pinch the pointed end to keep the folds secure. 3. When assembling each bundle, pair the folded fleece triangles in opposite directions (e.g., one pointing left, the next pointing right). This helps create a fuller and more balanced snuffle ball. 4. Divide the folded fleece triangles evenly into 6 bundles (6 pieces in each bundle if using 36 circles). Secure each bundle by fastening a medium zip tie tightly around the pointed ends of the folded pieces. Trim off the excess zip tie ends for safety. 5. Take the 6 zip-tied bundles and arrange them in a circular shape to form the ball. Use a large zip tie to secure all the bundles together at their centers. Tighten the large zip tie firmly, ensuring the ball stays intact, and then trim off the excess. 6. Adjust and spread out the fleece pieces to make the ball appear full and even. Ensure there are no gaps, and trim any uneven fleece pieces for a clean finish. Customization: Use multi-colored fleece for a fun, vibrant snuffle ball. Density: Add more circles to each bundle or make more bundles if you want the ball to be fuller. Safety: Ensure all zip ties are securely fastened and trimmed to avoid any sharp edges. #petdiy #diy #diycrafts #diyprojects #catmom #pettoys #petenrichment #diyforpets #snuffleball #petlover #furryfriends #furkids #catsofinstagram #pettoys #cattoysdiy #catenrichment #happycatlife #catplaytime #diyfordogs #dogtoysdiy #doglover #dogmomlife #happypup #handmadewithlove #petcrafts #diyproject #petinfluencer #furrycompanion #viral #gatos #gatto
♬ New Home – Frozen Silence

A few pieces of fleece fabric and zip ties & you can end up with a beautiful, clever cat boredom buster.

Cat enrichment ideas that involve snacks or treats are ideal for cats that vacuum their plates in no time, or those that eat more as a consequence of separation anxiety.

Best for: Fast eating / Anxious cats

3. DIY Cat Treat Pyramid – By Coal and Bailey

Here’s another great thing you can do with toilet paper rolls: a treat pyramid! Simply place the treats inside the paper rolls and let your cats spend time trying to get them (Just hope the rage bait isn’t strong enough to make them take it down)

Best for: Fast eating cats

4. Corrugated Cardboard Scratcher – By Julie Finn

Have some cardboard boxes laying around? Try this easy craft! It worked wonders for my cats. They obliterate this cardboard scratchers. If you are okay with temporary cardboard messes, this is the way to go.

Best for: Small houses with few scratchers

Bonus tip: Implement toy rotation so you don’t have to sweep 3 times a day

5. Catnip Snake Kicker Toy – By Catorable

Some cats love bunny kicking stuff, And for them, a kicker toy filled with catnip is true happiness! This boa one is really cute, check it out!

Best for: Energy release

6. DIY Roller Cardboard Toy – By Bobo’s Big Adventure

Make your cat a toy that can last and provide tons of entertainment, like this roller one! Very creative and way easier to make than you think!

Best for: Creative cat parents

7. 3 in 1 Interactive Cat Toy – By Potaroma

Hide & seek, Fluttering Butterfly and Chasing Feather. I’m sure your cat will get addicted to at least one of these!

Best for: Cat parents that want to try many new toys

8. Snuffle Mat – By The Fantastic Fur

@the.fantastic.fur
DIY Snuffle Mat for Cats – Part 1! We’re starting with a simple base: a 13×13 cm piece of fleece glued to cardboard, then adding tiny 5×3 cm fleece loops. Just fold, glue the ends together, and stick the circle to the base — as many as you like! 😻 Why is this awesome for cats? These fleece loops create little hiding spots for treats or kibble, encouraging your cat to sniff, dig, and use their natural foraging instincts. It’s a great way to enrich their day and keep their brain busy — especially for indoor cats! ✨ Stay tuned for Part 2! #catdiy #snufflemat #snuffle #mat #enrichmentforcats #catenrichment #catmomlife #felinefun #foragingcat #foraging #diy #easydiy #catmom #cat #cats #catlife #catlover #catsofinstagram #pets #furkids #gato #gatto #orangecat #graycat
♬ Joy in the Little Things – Mellow

An aesthetic and very creative way to give your cat some hard to earn treats! If you want an interactive treat feeder that isn’t bland or one-use-only, this is the one!

Best for: Cat parents looking for aesthetic & functional solutions

9. Improvised Leaf Pool – By The Fantastic Fur

Recommended by its creator especially during heatwaves, this is an extremely easy game you can set up in 2 minutes! Just graba bucket that will serve as the pool, and cut a few pieces of spider plant leaves, or any non-toxic for cats plants you have in your house

Best for: Quick play session & hot days

10. Cardboard Box Cat Game – By Bingopaw

Cardboard boxes can be enhanced with a few basic tools to create an amazing, boredom busting game for your feline friend. You can mimic this design using ping pong balls or caps.

The main idea is to have them hanging and peeking from different angles so your cat can play from the inside for hours.

Best for: Cardboard box feline lovers

11. Tiny Box With Ball – By Mia_Lucina (TikTok)

@mia_lucina
Cat bored? DIY time! | Part 5 ✨ New easy ideas to keep your kitty active 🐱 🌀 Jump, roll & explore fun 💡 Zero-cost boredom busters 📌 Save now – your cat will thank you later!
♬ suara asli – I’m free now-_- – Jeon Wonwoo Seonsaengnim

Sometimes it´s as simple as cutting a few holes into a box and drop a ball inside. My cats are obsessed with little bouncy balls, so I know it first hand. Try it and thank me later 🙂

Quick Comparison: Which One Should You Choose?

Best for high-energy cats: Interactive Play Mat With Fast-Moving Ball
Best for solo play: 3 in 1 Interactive Cat Toy
Best budget option: Cardboard Box Cat Game
Best for small apartments: Corrugated Cardboard Scratcher
Best for food-motivated cats: Snuffle Mat
Most low-effort: DIY Interactive Cat Treat Game

FAQ

How do I know if my indoor cat is bored? – The easiest tell is if your cat’s doing things he isn’t supposed to do such as scratching furniture, annoying other cats, trying to go off-limits, meowing loudly, or biting your phone.
How many toys should an indoor cat have? – There is no set number. Variety is important! Aim for at least 2 scratchers and 2-3 small toys such as bouncy balls or kickers to keep them entertained.
Should I leave toys out all day? Toy rotation is great if you can implement it, so your cat doesn’t get bored of toys so fast. Mines love the same ones over and over again, but when I re-introduce a toy they used not to play with too much, they tend to play with it at least for a short while, making it useful at least for a tiny bit. Plus, It’s a great cat toy organization hack
Are automatic toys safe to leave unattended? Depends on the toy, supervised play is generally recommended but most toys are designed in a way that is safe and risk-free.