Window "bird TV"
A comfortable perch by a window, and if you can a bird feeder outside it, so your cat can watch the world go by.
What you need
Nothing but you and your pet.
How to do it
- Put a stable shelf, cat tree or padded chair by a window, high enough for your cat to look out and down.
- If you can, hang a bird feeder outside where your cat can see it.
- Set up a spot at more than one window so your cat can "change channels".
- On grey days, a video of birds on a screen can stand in for the real thing.
⚠️ Safety
Supervision: Safe to leave once your pet knows it.
Make sure the window is closed or has a secure screen, and the perch can't tip over. Keep blind and curtain cords out of reach.
👀 What to watch for
Chattering at birds is normal. A cat that gets very agitated, or attacks another cat afterwards, may need a play session after watching, or the feeder moved out of view.
Try next
Cardboard reach feeder
A shoebox lid with toilet-roll tubes standing in it, kibble dropped into the tubes. Your cat fishes the food out with a paw.
Cat target training
Teach your cat to touch a chopstick with their nose. It is fun mental exercise and later helps with the carrier or the scale.
Kibble treasure hunt
Small portions of your cat's dry food hidden around the home, so a meal becomes a hunt.
Starting a cat on a puzzle feeder
Move part of your cat's dry food into a food puzzle, so they work for it as they would when hunting.
Toilet-roll slow feeder
A toilet-roll tube with holes cut along its side and kibble inside. Your cat bats it around and food drops out.
Toy rotation box
Keep most toys in a box and put out only a few at a time. Swapping them every few days makes old toys feel new.