Top 5 Signs Your Cat is Bored (And How to Help)

In this video, we go over the top 5 signs your cat is bored, why they may be experiencing boredom, and what you can do to help. Visit Dr. Sarah's site: drsarahwooten.com
Read the complete guide: cats.com/bored-cat
Video Navigation
0:00 Introduction
1:53 Sign 1: Overeating
3:12 Sign 2: Overgrooming
4:20 Sign 3: Increased Aggression
4:59 Sign 4: Inappropriate Urination/Defecation
6:10 Sign 5: Destructive Behavior
6:48 What to Do?
7:20 Solution 1: Play With Your Cat!
8:12 Solution 2: Interactive Food Experiences
9:10 Conclusion
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[@AllAboutCatsYT]

In this video, Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ, goes over the top 5 signs your cat is bored, why they may be experiencing boredom, and what you can do to help. Visit Dr. Sarah's site: drsarahwooten.com Read the complete guide: allaboutcats.com/bored-cat

[@nervousbabbs2769]

I have an older cat (10yrs) he is so sweet to me and family but hates others I supose this is a teritorial thing. My problem is he is over weight his vet said draw back on food and make him play... HE WONT PLAY lol the little fatty love him to death he wants to bug me for food so I started doing laps around the house while he begs lol I got some good healthy treats from his vet but omg this boy is crazy how do you handle a lazy cat that is too lazy to squelch his boredom.

[@elisabethcrimmin7938]

​@@nervousbabbs2769 our vet suggested a food puzzle as mentioned by Dr. Wooton. Sounds like they're multi-functional. Also, pre portioned food amount at scheduled times 2 or 3x / day depending on your availability rather than constantly filling their dish throughout the day was something I was unaware of. It gives them the sense of routine they desire, which in turn creates less stress, which then in your case should eliminate his constant 'bugging you for food". Don't give in! The added weight of even 2lbs can be harmful to their tiny frame. When the vet told us this added weight long term is harmful to his joints Ive been determined to slowly get him back to a healthy weight. Seems obvious now but I never gave it a second thought until I was told. So, I ordered a food puzzle just to get my boy moving and grooving during feeding times. Fingers crossed

[@ethicscannie5716]

My cat is geriatric and has arthritis, so is slowed down a lot. BUT one thing that he enjoys any time of night or day is for me to TALK with him. He just *LOVES* to be talked to in sort of dulcet, admiring, and loving tones. However, the really good news is that he has recently been put on Solensia and WOW! He is a kitten again, haring around the house at 3am, flinging himself up to the top of his cat tree, spooking himself out and scrabbling like a cartoon character! Such a delight to see him taking advantage of the fact that he is almost pain free!! Costs a lot of money, but soooo worth it! ❤️🇨🇦❤️

[@mianotmya_s]

“#1 Sign: Overeating” same.

[@angelalin4255]

My cat is a stray and he admires the outside world. I can tell that he feels bored and miserable in the house. I now walk him everyday for an hour or so, it drains his energy, and he can also explore and exercise his hunting instinct. I also take different routes in the neighborhood when I walk him, so that if my cat ran away from home, he knows how to get back!!! 😹

[@AllAboutCatsYT]

Aww, good for you and your cat!

[@jeffreykoski2746]

I wish All About Cats would cover topics thoroughly like Feline Calichi virus and Feline Herpes. Two Summers ago I rescued an entire family and one other kitten. While my vet tested for FIV and those diseases, they did not test for Calichi virus or Herpes. Even though the kitten had eye discharge and I even wrote this down on the check form, the doctor never caught it! Now my poor boy is getting torn up by this virus... ...and I am worried that the rest of my babies may have it, though I don't see any signs. PLEASE COVER THIS DISEASE IN DETAIL! I am trying desperately to to talk to someone at the Baker Institute of Cornell University about their research. Thank you.

[@ginybrown8738]

Our sweet little girl will tell us she wants play time with the feathers and fishing pole. This is one of her favorite toys. If I try to bring it in the living room instead of our bedroom, she will pick it up and bring it back. She loves her interactive butterfly toy, her duck that quacks, tunnels beds all over, so she can sleep wherever. Sometimes she just wants to walk around the house checking it out. She sleeps in our room and the living room. She usually jumps in bed, my side, for some attention. Doesn’t last too long and she goes back to bed. She is a rescue and so glad she picked us out. Love your videos! Thanks

[@stephaniephouotrides2435]

my hubby and I were talking in bed when all of a sudden our bedroom door bursts open. our cat, ash, comes running through, parkors off the wall, bounces on my hubby, then launches off of me through the door he burst through earlier. lol

[@therealshard]

Hahahaha I've got a parkour cat too and reading that made me smile :)

[@cathleenwedlake4705]

My cat does zoomies at night too ... especially when I'm trying to sleep. 😴

[@stephaniephouotrides2435]

@@cathleenwedlake4705 he busted through the door w such force, I thought it was a person. Scared me for a sec 🤣

[@jennifersweet1715]

Oh my goodness, how funny that we also have a cat named Ash who loves to do kitty parkour! 😂 He always impresses me with the heights he can jump, but at the same time I'm like, "Stop, dude!!" Haha. He loves to parkour off of the upper window sill in our dining room and do a round kick off to zoom back down the hallway lol.

[@buddyholly4672]

Lol, gotta love cats

[@cool_sword]

Great video. I have probably 5 or 6 food puzzles in rotation, and they've improved my cat's quality of life so much.

[@letakennedy7342]

Can you share which puzzles where you bought them and the names? I’d be interested in purchasing some for sure! 😁

[@cool_sword]

@@letakennedy7342 I actually drafted a long post (like several paragraphs) which seems to have gotten filtered, maybe because of product names. To summarize, I have a lot of Trixie products but not exclusively Trixie products, and I like the website Foodpuzzlesforcats. I can't remember where I got all of them, and I'm wondering whether store names triggered the filter, so I'll say some are from the big pet website, some are from the big online retailer, and some are just from browsing my local massive pet store location. Also, start with an easy puzzle and ramp up the difficulty. Finally, try DIY stuff. If you know those three tiered track towers with the balls in them and the circular scratches with the ball track outside and the cardboard on the inside, you can make a nice DIY toy with those. Take the balls out the tower, take the cardboard out the circle. Place the tower where the cardboard used to be. Put food in the tower where the balls used to he. It's a hit for my cat, but it's not that easy. Sorry for less specificity, but I'm hoping I can get something out.

[@heyamrabaa7628]

We get our cats running by tossing half a treat from one end of the hall or stairs to the other end. Great workout, burns off the energy and they get a little treat at the end of it:)

[@elizabethramsey9295]

It’s so funny how our indoor cat likes to initiate play especially during the full moon 😹

[@user-rt4en2mb1u]

Hello Elizabeth, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the Virus??

[@MURZBO]

Dr Wooten omg you're sunburned 🙀 Right when I started playing this video my cat came into the room meowing I just got home from work he's only active when I'm around he refuses to play with other hoomans

[@elliehiggins1006]

I would like to see a video about feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions because I have a cat with this condition.

[@benton-benton]

My cat wants to go out into the neighborhood and goes around yelling about it. He has a nice 3 season room that leads to a small courtyard that leads to a huge screened porch. But that's not enough for him I guess. He goes out there and yells. I'm going to try and make a food puzzle for him because he loves his eats. Thank you very much for this and all your videos!

[@therealshard]

Haha he sounds like an energetic one :) have you considered harness training? Jackson Galaxy is a big proponent of it esp for cats that love the outdoors :D

[@smileandnod100]

Food puzzles are great , but an even simpler way is to to just throw a piece of dry food or treat and let your cat chase it. Gets them moving, makes treat time last longer, and can be good foraging if you toss them in somewhat hard to reach places. 😊

[@thelifeofzoe9201]

I have a 5 month young kitten. I cant imagine her being bored. She is running and jumping in the house whenever she is awake and not eating our having a private moment. She seems to view the world and her life as a toy. She is constantly being silly and crazy. I love the energy she illuminates in the house. Ive been a lifetime dog owner. I never thought bringing a cat in would reignite playfulness in my senior dogs. Its beyond expectation now it will be even harder to say farewell to them when the time comes. I Never thought they would like each other that much in such short timespan.

[@AllAboutCatsYT]

Sweet observations on your frisky new kitten and the way she's changed your home already.

[@screamingmimi90]

Just like that Monty Python skit: “Your cat needs to be confused right now!”

[@mattdonna9677]

I like the food puzzles, I'll try it. the woman in this house leaves 6 bowls of food out day and night and we have one fat cat now. It's easier to train the cats than her. They claw the chairs but it's okay because the chairs are hers. I've learned a lot in the 1 year since I subscribed, thank you Dr Sarah. Woody, Billy, and Festus also thank you.

[@jasminesoliman4499]

This video came out during the perfect time! I’m getting a kitten next week and this truly prepares me!

[@AllAboutCatsYT]

Congratulations! Wishing you and your new kitten all the best.

[@joniangelsrreal6262]

👋 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛ ❤️🥰❤️

[@jasminesoliman4499]

@@AllAboutCatsYT thank you so much!

[@jasminesoliman4499]

@@joniangelsrreal6262 👋🏽 🐈 🐈‍⬛

[@Momzahippie]

Its a great idea to watch lots of youtube videos about cats/kittens. I got my two last year and even though I've had a ktten before there was so much more info. and great ideas!

[@lindajaeger4953]

Thank you!

[@munirasultana2313]

Useful Tips 👍

[@prapancha7954]

Informative 💐❤️💐

[@devildanny]

Love this. I love the idea of food puzzle. Thank you so much for the contents.

[@banditnip0345]

That makes sense when she says cats pull their belly hair out when they're bored. It's kind of like me chewing my skin around my thumb nails when I'm bored. Now I know what's causing me to do that. Thank you for opening my eyes.

[@sherfinley8855]

Dr.Wooton thanks for this helpful information. 🐈

[@user-rt4en2mb1u]

Hello Sherry, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the Virus??

[@Amy-qo6xf]

Thank you, good advice.

[@PhoenixTubez]

My cat is bored and I try my best to help her but she's an indoor cat and she gets frustrated

[@mattdonna9677]

We got a 2nd cat to fix that and now we have 2 bored cats, lol.

[@PhoenixTubez]

@@mattdonna9677 I kno what you mean I got a chihuahua to help my cat not be bored and now she's even more stressed because she hates the new animal in the home and has licked off most of her body hair

[@luzye]

Thank you for the valuable information!

[@francerosemarie7]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH XOXOX

[@anniehamilton2524]

Love this video, great info, very helpful. Thanks so much

[@user-rt4en2mb1u]

Hello Annie, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the Virus??

[@debbiethompson2722]

Thank you ma'am I love your videos

[@hansimgluck4965]

😮

[@Jcewazhere]

Do you have some DIY and buy food puzzles? Could be good video content.

[@AllAboutCatsYT]

That's a good idea. We plan to post an article on this, so a video complement would make sense as well. Noted!

[@nervousbabbs2769]

How do you deal with a fat cat too lazy to squelch his boredom with play?? XD LOL

[@jc.1191]

👍

[@daysileo5039]

I use a cone for overlicking is he is bored and he knows :D . My cat eats with me or not eating :) He cants jump or destroy anything because I use vinegar with water to spray on him if misbehaves. He is loving and beautiful young cat so far :D

[@ibeetellingya5683]

Boredom means not receiving enough physical and mental stimulation. A cat uses smell, touch, taste, sight, and listening in many ways to monitor, process and act with what's happening on the inside and outside of its body and its sorroundings. All of a cat's senses need stimulation or it will get sick. Stimulate your cat's senses by helping them experience, process and use them the way all cats do. For example, detecting movement outside itself through changes it detects using its eyes, ears, paws, fur, hearing and even its nose to detect variations in strength and types of smell. You can make a list of activities you do every day that stimulates all your cat's senses.

[@AllAboutCatsYT]

One of my favorite KZbin videos is on this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2aWYXyVpb6dmNE

[@noizeemama3697]

Here's a topic. I just had my cat's eye fixed. I guess it is common in dogs but rare in cats. He is about 7 years old and it was missed by multiple vets even though I was asking what is wrong with his eye. A vet tech finally figured it out because she had just had her dog's eye fixed. (I have only had him a couple of years now.) My cat's one eye was a bit cross-eyed. He tends to be one big ornery Maine Coon mix, but I love him anyway. Often, he tends to bite me if my hand is in the wrong spot on that side of his face. Even when he is the one that moves to get my hand in that spot. Turns out his eyelashes were growing into his eyeball all these years. I was shocked that his eye straightened out almost immediately. I thought he would need a kitty eyepatch for that to be corrected. After all, he has been holding it awkwardly for so many years. I would like to know how this deformity(?) happen, what we the average person can look for to find this sort of thing (including symptoms), explain how this surgery works, complications (I never thought to ask until this moment), and why his eye went back to normal right away. Also, are there any cases of cats having lazy eye? Would an eye ever be treated with a patch? Thank you for all you do.

[@AllAboutCatsYT]

Hi there. Dr. Sarah can't respond to comments at this time, but I think you might find some answers in her article on strabismus in cats: allaboutcats.com/strabismus-in-cats Not 100% sure if this is the condition your cat was facing or if it'll cover quite what you're looking for, but I hope it helps a bit. On eye patches, cats usually don't wear eye patches well, and it's not typically recommended as a therapy for lazy or crossed eyes; surgery, medication, and other types of physical therapy seem to be more common.

[@noizeemama3697]

@@AllAboutCatsYT thank you.

[@timmyvechett]

Any advice for my outdoor cats

[@AllAboutCatsYT]

Outdoor cats usually don't struggle with boredom. Bringing them inside sometimes could mix up their experience, for one, but being outdoors is usually fun and stimulating enough on its own.

[@jc.1191]

Using an interactive toy works for my outside buddy. He oddly does get bored sometimes.

[@cr1na91]

Have you done a review on the farmina N&D cat food? I have to choose between farmina and acana for my cat and i don't know wich one to get

[@patriciahicks8593]

I have a question about if it is safe to use a invisible fence with a cat. What are the pros and cons. And if so what brand is best

[@AllAboutCatsYT]

You might appreciate our article on the best invisible fences for cats: allaboutcats.com/best-invisible-fences-for-cats

[@evelynrogers7145]

Like tearing things. And trying to eat paper

[@mange2696]

Can you do a video on feral cats and getting them adjusted to indoor life? Also something on arthritis and pain relief stuff :)

[@AllAboutCatsYT]

Good ideas! Thanks.

[@harriettsang3741]

My cat recently has seemed less inclined to play, even using her favourite wand. I figured it was because she got bored of the wand itself so i would try a different wand attachment and it still didnt work. We've tried incentivising her with food puzzles and she has no interest in smelling it. She used to complete these food puzzles easily but now sje hardly gives her time of day. She also chirps by the toy box but when I bring the toy out, she doesnt chase after it and barely pants afterwards, whereas she used to. She sleeps a lot of the day but otherwise doesnt seem to do any of the behaviour listed above. I figured she was bored so i tried doing more things with her but still nothing. Is there anything i can do?? Im worried she's bored😢

[@elisabethcrimmin7938]

Hello! we have two cats, ages 12 & 2. They are both toilet trained- I mention this bc in the beginning stages there was a lot of positive reinforcement (treats, treats, treats) for Bari (12 yo). Now our 12 yo boy needs to shed a couple lbs. Are there any recommendations how to offer a cat feeding puzzle to just ONE cat during feeding times? I can't think of anything other than separating them. I don't want to mess with their routine too much and unsure if singling one out to feed in a new location would cause stress. If separating is the best option does it matter whose food dish is moved? Thank you in advance!

[@alicecruse2886]

mine has a tendency to play a lot we usually play a bit over 4 hours a day on days where i have holiday 7 but she just does not get tired no matter what I've tried a lot of things but i don't know what to do. I'm attempting to socialize her so i can take her on walks we are ina pretty rural area but I'm sure how to go about it. and she is just always hungry. she eats the same amount of food my older sisters 6 kg cat eats while she's 2.5 and still she will always take the chance to get more

[@elisa3748]

Hi! I recently made my cat an indoor cat because their is a feral cat in my neighborhood that attacks my cat...my cat never wants to play much and always looks out of the window. Sometimes he miaows at the door too! I do try to play with my cat often but he's just not interested! 🙁 I've bought him plenty of new toys and a tunnel, but he's not very interested in them. He also has a few puzzle feeders....the only things he's interested in, really. He's got loads of beds, places to sleep, blankets,cardboard boxes ect. All he does all day is look out of the window, eat, and play a little at 10:00 pm...that's it! I've got a cat harness and leash at home and would like to take him out on walks but would that just make everything worse? Could you please give me some ideas of how to keep him active/busy? Thank you so much! ❤😊 P.S My cat is 10 years old so maybe that's the reason? I'm a bit confused though because outside he usually runs, jumps ect and indoors he doesn't do much.

[@Mymimemei]

15 minutes 3 to 4 times a day… what if I work full time?

[@michele6285]

Thank you I didn't know about the cat puzzle food game. Also how to decorate your appt studio without damaging the walls. Also the cats don't know if they can climb or jump on the shelf and I don't want to start so e that in the later year we move out of the appt that if need a cat sitter it jumps on other ppl shelf. I do want to put a basket on the wall but they might think they could jump on that. I know the cats at our border but I am the sitter and one cat isn't allowed to go outside because it has never been and that's what the owner want so must follow but with a cat leash think it's helpful or not because they can't be freely throwing there energy out there so I feel like it's not the same as dog it more harsh on them. I feel bad for snowflakes getting bigger so I must stop over eating. I want some advice with little or creative and dyi are very helpful and just as good as the store bought some times. Anyone here on the comments selection advice would be lovely

[@malinjohansson1986]

What if the cat won't play?

[@yarahassan4084]

Dr. Wooten, I need your urgent opinion. My cat was neutered 37 days ago. He stopped eating right after the surgery, he took iv fluids for 3 days after the op with no improvement. He all of a sudden is unable to chew or eat. A week after the surgery he started to regurgitate, food goes down the stomach then immediately backs out with clear and slippery fluid. He received all kinds of meds, x-ray and ultrasound, no improvement and nothing appeared to be wrong. He has been living all this month on iv fluids. He lost weight significantly. Last night, suspecting a blockage, he underwent an exploratory surgery and nothing appeared wrong. What do you think of this case and if you could make videos about all these issues my cat is facing will be a great help. Waiting for your urgent reply if it possible. Thank you. P.S. he liver function test showed it is within the normal range yesterday.

[@terriwillis6720]

Thank you Dr Wooten for the great advice.

[@louisedery1049]

QUESTIOIN- my cat started to cover her food with the little rug on my floor by my back door. She is 2 years old, and I got her from a no kill shelter. She wants me to feed her all the time. She stopped eating the can food just out of the blue, does not want it anymore. Only wants kibble now. I just worry that I am doing something wrong. She is very cool, brings me her toys, we play together everyday for at least 5 minutes multiple times in the day.. so whats up with her food choice changes, why does she cover her food?

[@adoptnotshop2030]

My cat used to anything - now very picky. She is 10 years old. She won’t eat any pate foods. Try different textures. My cat loves chunks or shreds. The more saucy the better. Your cat NEEDS moisture. If she is only eating dry she must be drinking water. My cat loves these treats: Instinct Freeze-Dried Raw Boost Mixers Grain-Free Skin & Coat Health Recipe Cat Food Topper, 5.5-oz bag. I crumble one over her food and it gets her to eat. Good luck with your baby ❤

[@AllAboutCatsYT]

She might be covering the food because she no longer can/wants to eat in one sitting. Cats will sometimes do this to prevent "scavengers" from getting their food while they're away. Have you been feeding her kibble throughout the day? There's a chance that she's getting too much to finish in one meal (or she just doesn't feel motivated to because she knows there'll be more later), and that's why she's covering it. It's hard to say why she doesn't like the wet food anymore, but perhaps experimenting with different flavors will help. Wishing you and your cat all the best!

[@jc.1191]

My cat does the food cover thing sometimes. It's adorable to me. She always goes back to finish it. I'd guess it's unrelated to the diet change.

[@Kxxrdnv]

Klass

[@aiuzdursa]

3-5 play sessions a day?! Am I the only cat owner who works outside the house???

[@em0_tion]

I'd rather go for a run even if I hated it than eat this tasteless shite called Pringles! 😂

[@user-he8zz6ms8v]

Pink dolphin

[@justlookingaround1st]

Are cats not always bored😂

[@Aga1002]

Dirty beast 76