The holidays are fun for people and confusing for indoor cats. Routines change, guests arrive, there's a tree in the living room, and the humans who usually play with them are busy cooking, wrapping and traveling. A bored, under-exercised cat often finds its own entertainment: climbing the tree, chewing ribbon or ambushing ankles. Here's how to keep your indoor cat active, entertained and safe through the season.
1. Keep a daily play routine, even on busy days
Short sessions you actually do beat long ones you skip. The Feline Veterinary Medical Association suggests playing with wand toys twice a day. Put two short sessions on your holiday to-do list, for example one in the morning and one before bed.
2. Let your cat finish the "hunt"
Cats are built to stalk, chase, pounce and catch. A satisfying play session follows that order:
- Stalk: move the toy slowly, half hidden behind furniture.
- Chase: speed up and let it run across the floor or up in the air.
- Catch: let your cat grab it, wrestle it and kick it.
- Reward: finish with a small treat or a meal, then let your cat groom and nap.
Ending with a real catch matters. A game that never ends in a catch can leave a cat wound up instead of tired.
3. Mix three kinds of toys
- Chase toys: wand toys with feathers or fabric tails for running and jumping.
- Wrestle toys: kicker toys or a cat wrestling puppet like Kitty Fighter for grabbing and bunny-kicking, so rough play lands on a toy instead of your arm.
- Brain toys: food puzzles that keep your cat busy while you're cooking or hosting.
4. Rotate toys so they stay exciting
Toys that are always on the floor quickly become furniture. Keep most of them in a drawer and bring out two or three at a time. Interactive toys, especially anything with strings or cords and wrestling toys used with your hand, should be put away after each session.
5. Redirect rough play, never use bare hands
When the zoomies hit and your cat goes for your ankles or hands, don't punish them. Shelters such as Humane Colorado recommend offering a toy to wrestle with or chase instead, and keeping toys handy around the house. If playing with bare hands is a habit in your home, the holidays are a good time to switch to a toy.
6. Give your cat a quiet room on guest days
Parties and visitors can stress even confident cats. Set up a quiet room with a bed, water, a litter box, a scratcher and a toy or two. Let your cat choose when to come out, and ask guests (especially kids) not to chase or pick them up.
7. Use windows and vertical space
A window perch or a cleared shelf gives an indoor cat something to watch and somewhere to climb that isn't the Christmas tree. Make sure any perch is rated for your cat's weight.
8. Cat-proof the holiday decorations
A few rules from the ASPCA's holiday safety tips:
- Secure the tree so it can't tip, and cover the tree water.
- Skip the tinsel and keep ribbon and string away from cats. Swallowed, they can cause serious intestinal problems.
- Keep lilies out of the house. Many lilies in holiday bouquets are highly toxic to cats. Poinsettias are less dangerous than their reputation, but can still upset a cat's stomach, so keep them out of reach.
- Never leave lit candles where a cat can reach them.
If you think your cat swallowed something it shouldn't have, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away.
9. Plan for travel
If you're away, a pet sitter who follows your cat's routine (food, litter and two short play sessions) keeps things as normal as possible. Leave out the toys your cat likes best and explain which interactive toys must be put away after use.
When to call the vet
A sudden change in behavior, like new biting, hiding, not eating or litter box problems, isn't always about boredom. Pain or illness can cause it, so check with your vet.
FAQ
How do I keep my indoor cat entertained while I'm busy?
Two short play sessions a day, a food puzzle while you're busy, a window to watch and a quiet room on guest days.
Why does my cat attack my hands during play?
Your cat is acting out the hunt and your hand is the closest moving target. Redirect the energy to a toy it can grab and kick, and stop using bare hands for play.
What toys keep an indoor cat active?
A mix of chase toys (wands), wrestle toys (kickers or a wrestling puppet) and brain toys (food puzzles), rotated so they stay new.
More reading: Top 5 Funniest & Most Interactive Christmas Gifts for Cats in 2026 · Holiday Cat Gift Guide