We mindlessly snack on bad carbs or shop for shoes online when we’re bored, but what does your cat do? You might think Fluffy never gets bored.
You might think your cat doesn’t have time to get bored because she sleeps for 15 hours a day. Cats, on the other hand, can and do become bored. While cats may not always express their boredom, cats can sometimes be blunt in their expressions of boredom, which are not always appreciated by their human companions.
Indoor cats who are left alone for long periods without stimulation are more likely to become bored or lonely. Outdoors, there is a lot of stimulation, but there is also a lot of danger and uncertainty. As a result, it is your responsibility to ensure that your cat’s indoor environment provides the necessary enrichment to keep him mentally active and healthy.
Today we are going to tell you about the Signs Your Cat is Bored. Let’s not wait and try to understand your cat.
12 Signs Your Cat is Bored
1. Weight Gain or Loss
If your cat’s eating habits have changed, they will almost certainly gain or lose a significant amount of weight. Senior cats gain weight more easily and have a tendency to change their appetite, so if you have a senior cat, try to pay extra special attention to their needs.
Gaining or Losing weight can further lead to depression in cats.
2. Scratching Like Crazy
Scratching is done by cats for a variety of reasons. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats. When this normal behavior spills over onto our furniture and drapes, it becomes unappealing. Providing your cat with a scratching post in the location it prefers can help to alleviate this problem.
Cats scratch to mark their territory. Most cats prefer an upright scratching post that is tall enough for them to stretch out completely and stable enough not to scare or hurt them if it falls over.
3. Litter Box Problem
For a cat who isn’t getting the attention they deserve, even bad attention can be mistaken for attention in their confused minds. Furthermore, your cat may become frustrated and eliminate outside the litter box.
Animals, particularly our lovely feline friends, have feelings just like humans, and those feelings can be very hurtful if they begin to feel abandoned by the most important human in their lives.
4. Destructive Behavior
This may be a question you should ask yourself. While no pet owner should be expected to stay at home with their pet 24 hours a day, consider how much is too much when it comes to leaving your cat alone.
Cats, especially certain breeds, are naturally solitary, but they still require social interaction with their humans. If your cat becomes overly bored after being left alone for long periods, they may resort to destructive behavior to relieve their boredom. They’re letting you know that they’d like you to be around more to keep them company.
Just as in humans, if left unaddressed, boredom can lead to depression in cats.
5. Sudden Hair Loss and Excessive Grooming
Obviously, your cat will want to clean themselves on a regular basis, but if they begin to go to new extremes, you must intervene and change their routine.
Boredom-stricken cats may lick themselves repeatedly, chew/bite at their skin, or pull out their fur. The irritation they feel as a result of this behavior may lead them to continue to over-groom, creating a frustrating cycle.
When cats are bored, they may develop nervous tendencies, which can indicate that the problem is progressing toward anxiety and depression.
6. Moping Around the House
It could be a sign that your cat isn’t getting enough mental stimulation if she seems down in the dumps and uninterested in most things that normally keep her active, such as food.
However, if this behavior persists despite positive changes in the environment, consult a veterinarian to rule out any potential health issues.
7. Change in Sleeping Habits
Cats are notorious for not sleeping enough, but if you notice your cat is almost lethargic or sleeping far too much, it’s a clear indication that something is wrong. To spark your cat’s interest, try interacting with them more and incorporating play sessions.
There’s always that little thing called “catnip” to whet their appetite. Indoor cats are known to sleep a little more than cats who travel outside, but they shouldn’t waste their time awake pretending to sleep. Despite the fact that kittens are usually more playful than adult cats, mature cats still enjoy playing.
8. Over-Eating
On this front, bored cats and bored humans are on the same page. If your cat becomes overly attached to their food bowl, and specifically to what is in it, it is a clear indication that they are bored. Days spent eating more food than is recommended could simply be a way to pass the time.
Obesity can result from this, further depressing a cat.
All of these symptoms could indicate boredom, but they could also indicate medical or behavioral issues. If you notice your cat doing any of these things, consult your veterinarian.
9. Under-Eating
In contrast to always having a full stomach, some cats respond to boredom by showing a complete lack of interest in food. Obviously, this is not good for you or your cat, and you can try varying their diet slightly or treating them with canned food–which is actually better for them anyway.
10. Lethargy
It could be a side effect of boredom if your cat seems disengaged, especially from activities that used to be fun and engaging for them. Cats nap for an average of 15 hours per day, so it’s not unusual for pet parents to catch their cats napping. However, if your cat’s natural curiosity isn’t piqued, it could indicate boredom.
Cats spend the majority of their days napping, but they do have periods of activity when they climb and play. Some cats will become couch potatoes if they receive no or little stimulation. You may have a bored cat on your hands if your cat only moves from the couch to the food bowl.
11. Fighting Other Pets
If your cat is fighting, chasing, or fighting with your other animals (feline, canine, or otherwise), it could be a sign that they’re bored and looking for stimulation anywhere they can find it.
They’ll chase down the other cats in the house. They’ll even try to corner or stalk the guinea pig (even if he’s 10 pounds heavier). These are all signs that your cat requires additional stimulation. There are a variety of other reasons for this behavior.
12. Creating Own Stimulation
Cats that are looking for trouble are likely to find it, especially if your bed has a pricey new comforter. Cats who are bored will sometimes entertain themselves by playing with toilet paper rolls, climbing the curtains, or engaging in other unappreciated behaviors.
They can even start climbing walls and start spilling their food bowl. They may even wake you from your sleep by jumping over you when you are asleep.
Conclusion
So, it is evident from the above article that, like humans, cats also get bored. They try to tell us using different signs as described above. However, there are many ways to make her happy again, like providing an enriching environment.
This article was intended to tell you about the signs your cat is bored, and we hope that it did.
