How can I keep my cat entertained in my flat - there is no garden accessible?

He ignores scratching posts but scratches the furniture. He also ignores balls and other toys. He is steadily putting on weight despite only eating one pouch food/day. I need something to keep him active and stop him from getting bored!

How can I keep my cat entertained in my flat - there is no garden accessible?
You can get little rubber balls with small holes in that the cat can roll around. If you fill it with small treats, your cat will spend a couple of hours trying to get them out and getting exercise at the same time. Also, play with him for a long time in the morning so that he is tired when you leave him during the day.
Reply:This is a difficult one as he is ignoring the toys and things you already have so sounds like he is an outdoor cat by nature. You could try getting another cat to keep him company, other than that I don't know. If he is bored he will be destructive deliberately.
Reply:If you have a place out of his reach I'd grow him catnip, there is nothing more potent then fresh catnip! My cats also love honeysuckle toys. George, my over weight who doesn't play with toys cat goes nuts over his honeysuckle toys! If you have a window with a good view, maybe put a perch so he can see what's going on outside!
Reply:catnip mice or buy the little rubber balls etc with holes in %26amp; stuff the holes with cheese or some other food he likes....he'll play for hours
Reply:cat loves pieces of paper waded up in a ball, they make thier own game of it . mine loves it
Reply:my male cat is the same way... he loves to scratch on the furniture and hates balls and scratching posts.. but he loves playing in everyday throw away items (like an empty pepsi box, wal-mart sack, tin foil balls, shoe strings, anything just laying around the house....





if you've had him fixed that could be a reason he's putting on a lot of weight, male cats sometimes do that after they're fixed (i've had 3 or 4 who have gotten huge!)





if the weight becomes a major problem and health risk try talking to a vet about a different type of cat food there are some specially formulated to help control cats weight.





if none of this helps try getting him a companion (one around his age), but you might want to see if a neighbor or a friend has a cat that you can "try out" with him to see how well he'll get along with another cat in the house... more then likely he'll be a little aggressive towards another cat in his territory at first...





i hope i was able to help :)
Reply:Try buying the balls that you can put treats in. when the cat realises theres food in it, he might start playing with them. Also, catnip toys should do the trick if you haven't already tried them. If you are really really stuck, then maybe try going to your vet and speaking to them about it. They should be able to give you advice.
Reply:Buy him a PSP.
Reply:Get him a pet. He needs something to take care of. Another kitty would be good, but a girl kitten would be best. Just careful not to spoil the baby cat and make him jealous.





Also, tape something to the furniture he scratches, something he won't like to touch, like sandpaper ir drape a handtowel. That might help that.
Reply:Have you tried cat toys with cat-nip? Also you can plant cat-nip in flower pots. My cat likes it. He may be lazy. MY cat is.
Reply:For the longest time, our cats ignored the scratching posts. We ended up getting them declawed because it.





Now- many cats who ignore regular toys will have the most fun with a wad of paper, or maybe with something small and fuzzy. Also, at a novelty store, I found a ball that flashes and twitters when it rolls. When they haven't somehow lost it, they thoroughly enjoy it.
Reply:why have you got a cat if you do not have access to a garden? its obvious that your cat is bored and unhappy. cats like to roam by nature and I think your best option is to rehome it somewhere where it will be looked after properly.
Reply:get him a young sexy female cat. then he can chase her round the kitchen.
Reply:get him a big bowl of catnip mousies! let him bat them around everywhere!
Reply:Leave him a large, loaded bong and a pile of books and he'll be fine ;-)
Reply:My cats love the laser pointer light, I shine it on walls and they run all over the apt. I don't even have to get off the couch! I got mine at Petsmart.
Reply:catnip he will burn energy
Reply:buy another cat to keep him company





or buy a mouse for him to chase and eat!





or buy a budgie for same reasons as above!





why would you have a cat in a small flat in the first place???
Reply:Get another cat. Opposite sex, but same age. Cat's are very social and love feline company.
Reply:get another kitten. I know you think oh my another cat to get bored, but actually it will keep your older cat company. there will be the occaissional spat but that is normal for any multi-pet house. as well when kitten paly with toys your cat will want to see what is so interesting (kinda like toddlers, you know the your-toy-is-better-than-mine syndrome). It should calm you other cat down.


Also has he recently been neutered? this can change their hormones and their behaiviour drastically. That aside I still think a friend would help.
Reply:Buy him some catnip and put it on the scratching post
Reply:you can buy these ball things that have holes in - you put his biscuits in, then he has to bat the ball around to get the biscuits out...





OR





buy a hamster and a ball to put him in - our cat and hamster chase each other round the flat all the time - and the cat is MORE scared of the hamster - keeps him occupied!!!
Reply:This will sound weird but my cat really likes these boas on a stick. Barbie has the best one. I think it's called a Princess Featherwand. He goes nuts when he plays with it. In fact, he wimpered this morning when I took it away from him so we could play with it together.
Reply:i know this may sound weird but i know people who have house cats that have little harnesses and the take the cat out for a wee walk a few times a day of course not all cats like the harness but the ones i know do give it a shot
Reply:Cats have to have gardens. Its bloody cruel to keep them indoors.


Give it to someone who can give it a life
Reply:this all sounds silly, but it works.





Tie a showlace to a ceiling fan blade, or in a doorway and put a box fan near it. Turn the fan on low. The shoelace with gently move and attract kitties attention. They will play for HOURS!





be sure it is WELL SECURED, ad if it falls kitty may try to eat it.





try putting the TV on the "speed network" your cat may get intreged by the races, and try to bat at teh cars going round the track.





Download some bird sounds, and play them for your cat. Hide the Music player someplace so kitty can't find it. They will search the house to the bird.





my cat like to see who's on the phone, so i call home and let the machine pick up and talk to my kitty, he gets up and see's who's talking.