• Indoor-only cats tend to need extra entertainment and incentive to stay physically active.
  • Our top pick, the CatastrophiCreations Cat Mod Garden Complex, encourages your cat to climb, perch, play, and lounge all while safely indoors.

In many cases, keeping cats indoors helps to keep them safe, especially if you live in urban areas or locations with predators, such as coyotes.

While cats tend to do just fine indoors, there are some issues that occur, such as boredom and obesity. Houses aren’t designed with a cat’s needs and instincts in mind, but by introducing products to keep your indoor cat entertained, you can make your cat happier and healthier.

Cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy refers to this process as “catification.” According to Galaxy, introducing changes that cater to your cat’s deep-rooted instincts can make your home feline-friendly. The goal is to replicate aspects of a cat’s life in the wild by introducing spaces where they can get up off of the floor and perch, areas where they can climb and jump, and areas where they can play and hunt.

The products in this guide are all designed to keep your cat entertained. You’ll find products that let your cat climb, perch, lounge, and soak up the sun in your windows. Some of these products even allow your indoor-only cat to safely enjoy some time outside. By encouraging play and movement, these products can help to keep your cat healthy and happy, avoiding boredom which can lead to overeating and behavioral issues.

Here are the best products to keep your indoor cat entertained:

Updated on 08/09/2019 by Les Shu: Updated prices, links, and formatting.

The best cat complex

The CatastrophiCreations Cat Mod Garden Complex has everything your cat needs to satisfy his instincts indoors.

Satisfy your cat's desire to climb, scratch, perch, and lounge indoors with the CatastrophiCreations Cat Mod Garden Complex. This innovative modular system features interchangeable accessories so that you can customize the system to your walls, your space allotment, and your cats' preferences. You can follow design templates to get started, or put your creativity to work and come up with your own design.

This complex includes canvas fabric for hammocks and climbing, a sisal-lined scratching pole, a sisal-lined escape hatch, eight mounting planks, and two ladder pieces. Additionally, this set includes planters where you can plant cat-safe plants like catnip and cat grass.

Thanks to the specialized bracket design, this system's elements appear to be floating on the wall, and you can even choose different wood and canvas colors so the system makes a beautiful addition to your home.

The CatastrophiCreations Cat Mod Garden Complex satisfies your cat's natural instincts, indoors. The complex gives your cat a safe space high up where he can observe all the action while feeling safe and secure. Cats will fulfill their need to climb and scratch as they navigate the complex and scratching post.

If you have multiple cats who are having territorial issues, giving them the ability to use the vertical space in your house can help to resolve some of these behavioral issues. From playing to napping, this complex can keep your cat entertained and active.

The Cat Mod Garden Complex gives you everything your cat could possibly ask for, but if its price is too steep, CatastrophiCreations offers many smaller kits at lower price points.

Pros: Modular, sleek design, satisfies cats' natural instincts to climb and scratch

Cons: Live plants aren't included, installation requires some basic carpentry skills

The best window perch

Foto: sourceAmazon

Easy to install and comfy for your cat, the K&H Kitty Sill Deluxe with Removable Bolster is ideal for cats who love to gaze out windows.

The K&H Kitty Sill Deluxe with Removable Bolster is a great way for your cat to spend his time watching out of the windows in comfort. Unlike some other window perch options that you'll find, this perch is sturdy and can support cats up to 40 pounds.

You can install this perch over a 2-inch window sill without any tools, but screws are included for permanent installation if you'd like.

If your cat loves the sun that streams through a window sill, this perch will give him a comfortable spot where he can relax and soak up those rays. The bolster gives a nice shape to the perch, and the perch is covered in soft orthopedic foam for maximum comfort.

The washable cover and the bolster are both removable for easy and convenient cleaning to save you time. Plus, your cat will have an excellent vantage point to watch birds, squirrels, and other outdoor activity so that he can stay entertained.

The K&H Kitty Sill Deluxe with Removable Bolster has a 4.4 out of 5 star Amazon rating based on nearly 2,000 reviews. One reviewer wrote, "I'm not the handyman I used to be, but putting this together was totally simple. It seems to be of excellent quality, and was occupied immediately upon installation."

Pros: Easy installation, removable and washable cover, sturdy perch can hold cats up to 40 pounds

Cons: Inserting legs into the frame requires some force

The best cat tree

Foto: sourcePetco

The Kitty Mansions Amazon Green Cat Tree will keep your jungle cat climbing, playing, and active indoors.

If your indoor cat has been feeling lazy lately, the Kitty Mansions Amazon Green Cat Tree may be just the thing to get him moving again. This deluxe cat tree includes two enclosed cubbies, two round perches, two hammocks, and multiple level platforms to encourage your cat to climb, perch, and scratch.

At 78 inches tall, the tree allows your cat to climb and play at height for an added sense of security and confidence. This cat tree is far more substantial than your typical single-pole cat tree, and because of that, it's more stable. In fact, this is more of a jungle gym for your cats.

With hammocks, platforms, and more, your cat can use this tree in countless different ways. The elements of the tree are all interconnected, which helps to reduce sway and make for a sturdy platform that your cat can feel confident climbing.

The Kitty Mansions Amazon Green Cat Tree has a 4.6 out of 5-star rating on Petco. One reviewer wrote, "Easy to put together. Takes a bit of time but worth the effort. We had three cats who could not wait to try it out. Large and impressive and does not disappoint."

Pros: 78-inch height gives cats plenty of climbing opportunities; perches, cubbies, and hammocks encourage cats to play and relax in this tree

Cons: Assembly is required, though all hardware is included; 145-pound weight makes it difficult to move within your home without help

The best outdoor cat playground

Foto: sourceChewy

With the Outback Jack Kitty Compound, you can treat your cats to safe, secure outdoor visits.

Sometimes a trip outdoors is a wonderful change of scenery for your indoor-only cat, and with the Outback Jack Kitty Compound, you can give your cat some outdoor time, safely. This cat tent and tunnel combination keeps your cat contained while outdoors, serving as a play space with plenty of visibility.

Assembly couldn't be easier, since this tent and tunnel pop themselves open once removed from their carry bag. All you need to do is insert the tent pegs to keep the unit secure. Zippered doors at each end of the tunnel mean you can attach the tent to one end of the tunnel and close up the other end, so your cat is safely contained.

With this tent and tunnel, your cat can roll around on the grass, sniff the outdoor smells, and enjoy the sunshine. The tent is quite large and provides over 30 square feet of space, making it suitable for multiple cats. You won't have to worry about your cat wandering off or escaping.

While this tunnel can let your cat enjoy the outdoors, it's important to note that it is not predator-proof, so it is suitable only for outdoor visits when you're on hand to supervise.

One reviewer named commented about the tent's versatility: "This tent is so easy to set up and take down. As with any tent, it's a little tough to get it back in the bag, but that doesn't matter cause my cat loves it! It's very spacious and you don't have to use the tunnel if you don't want to."

Pros: Easy popup tool-free assembly, spacious tent and tunnel run

Cons: Tent will not protect against predators, so close supervision is necessary