How to Keep Your Cat Entertained While You’re at Work

If you’re away from home for eight or more hours each day, you’ve probably wondered what your cat does while you’re gone. Do they spend the day sleeping? Are they bored? Do they miss you?

The truth is, indoor cats sleep a lot—often between 12 and 16 hours a day—but they also need mental stimulation and opportunities to satisfy their natural instincts. Without enough enrichment, cats can become bored, stressed, or even develop unwanted behaviors like scratching furniture, excessive meowing, or knocking items off shelves (we’re looking at you, Ellie!).

The good news is that you don’t have to be home all day to keep your cat happy. With a few simple changes, you can create an environment that keeps them entertained until you return.

Our cats have very different personalities. Ellie likes to patrol the house, watch birds from the windows, and occasionally remind us she’s in charge by batting random objects off the counter. Jinx is more of a quiet observer who enjoys cozy hiding spots and carefully investigates every new toy before deciding whether it’s worth playing with. Giving them different ways to stay busy helps both of them enjoy the day—even when we’re away.

Here are our favorite ways to keep indoor cats entertained while you’re at work.

Create a Window Watching Station

One of the easiest forms of entertainment is completely free.

Cats love watching the outside world.

Set up a comfortable perch near a window where your cat can safely observe:

Birds
Squirrels
Rabbits
Butterflies
Passing neighbors
Falling leaves

It’s like television designed specifically for cats.

If possible, place a bird feeder outside the window. The extra activity gives your cat hours of natural entertainment.

Rotate Their Toys

Imagine having the exact same toys sitting in the same place every day for months.

They’d probably get boring.

Instead of leaving every toy out, rotate them every week.

Put half away in a drawer, then swap them out a few days later.

Suddenly those “old” toys feel brand new again.

This simple trick keeps your cat interested without constantly buying new toys.

Hide Treats Around the House

Cats naturally enjoy searching for food.

Before leaving for work, hide a few treats in safe places around the house.

Try hiding them:

Inside cardboard boxes
Under cat tunnels
On cat shelves
Inside puzzle feeders
Behind scratching posts

Your cat gets to spend time “hunting” instead of waiting for you to come home.

Use Puzzle Feeders

Puzzle feeders make mealtime more exciting.

Instead of eating from a bowl in two minutes, your cat has to work for each bite.

Benefits include:

Mental stimulation
Slower eating
Reduced boredom
Encourages problem solving

Many cats quickly learn how to solve increasingly difficult puzzles.

Add Vertical Space

Cats love climbing.

Adding vertical spaces gives them more territory without taking up additional floor space.

Consider adding:

Cat trees
Wall shelves
Window hammocks
Climbing towers

Being able to observe the room from above makes many cats feel confident and secure.

Leave a Cat Tunnel Out

Tunnels provide:

Hiding spots
Running paths
Pouncing opportunities
Places to nap

If you have more than one cat, tunnels often become the setting for surprise games of chase.

Even a simple collapsible tunnel can provide hours of fun.

Turn on Cat TV

Yes—Cat TV is actually a thing.

Many streaming services and YouTube channels feature videos designed specifically for cats.

Popular options include:

Birds
Fish
Squirrels
Butterflies
Small woodland animals

Some cats will happily watch these videos for surprisingly long periods.

Just make sure your television is secure if your cat gets excited enough to try catching the birds!

Bring Out the Cardboard Boxes

Sometimes the best toys cost absolutely nothing.

Every delivery becomes a new adventure when you leave the empty box out.

Cats love boxes because they provide:

Security
Warmth
Hiding places
Observation posts

Ellie and Jinx have taught us that the box is often more exciting than whatever arrived inside it. We’ve unpacked brand-new toys only to watch them spend the next hour taking turns sitting in the shipping box instead!

Create Cozy Nap Spots

Cats spend much of the day sleeping.

Give them several comfortable options throughout the house.

Try placing beds:

Near sunny windows
On shelves
Beside your favorite chair
In quiet bedrooms
Near heating vents in winter

Some cats enjoy switching sleeping locations throughout the day depending on the temperature.

Play Before You Leave

Just ten minutes of interactive play before work can make a big difference.

Using a wand toy helps satisfy your cat’s hunting instincts and burns off extra energy.

A cat that’s already had a good play session is more likely to spend the morning relaxing instead of feeling restless.

Consider Automatic Toys

Battery-operated toys can keep your cat entertained while you’re away.

Many:

Roll unpredictably
Wiggle like prey
Pop feathers out at random
Move automatically for short periods

These toys work especially well when rotated with other enrichment activities.

Keep a Predictable Routine

Cats love knowing what comes next.

Try keeping your schedule consistent.

Feed your cat around the same times each day.

Spend a few minutes playing before leaving and after returning home.

Routine helps many cats feel secure, even when they’re alone during the day.

Don’t Forget Quality Time After Work

While enrichment is important, nothing replaces spending time together.

When you get home:

Play together
Brush your cat
Offer cuddles if they enjoy them
Talk to them
Let them follow you around the house

Many cats spend the day patiently waiting for their favorite person to return.

Giving them your attention after work strengthens your bond and helps them feel connected.

Indoor cats may spend a lot of time sleeping, but they still need opportunities to explore, hunt, climb, and play. Creating an enriching environment doesn’t have to be expensive. Window perches, cardboard boxes, puzzle feeders, rotating toys, and climbing spaces can all make a big difference in your cat’s daily happiness.

Every cat is different. Ellie enjoys supervising the house from the windows and occasionally creating a little mischief when she’s bored, while Jinx prefers quiet hiding places and investigating every new toy at his own pace. Learning what your cat enjoys most allows you to tailor their environment to fit their personality.

At the end of the day, a mentally stimulated cat is often a happier, healthier cat. By providing fun activities while you’re at work, you’ll come home to a content companion who’s ready to spend the evening making memories with their favorite human.