I think my cats are bored...I need advice

I've never lived with a cat...ever.  I found a feral and a kitten, and after some tough months, we are finally in a better place.  The feral does not play a lot, but the kitten still wants to play.  A very wise person on this forum recommended Da Bird as a toy.  They both love that toy.  But I have bought a lot of toys, and they seem bored with them.  Pipe cleaners, squeaky mice, balls, crinkle balls, feather and/or material wands, plastic springs, puzzle boxes, and a battery fun feather toy are the toys I've tried so far.  Really, Da Bird is the only toy they enjoy.  Does anyone have any other recommendations?

And another question...since I am, at heart, a "dog person" (who does not have dogs right now), I find myself rushing home when I am out, thinking the cats are missing me/bored/lonely.  My friends say that is the advantage of cats vs. dogs...they can be alone longer.  I am usually gone for eight hours at a time, and find myself not making plans for the weekend b/c I feel so guilty about working during the week.  When I had dogs, I would take them for hikes on weekends, but my cats are indoor only.  Other friends have suggested slowly introducing them to the indoor/outdoor life, but I am hesitant to do that b/c they seem okay living indoors (they do not try to dart out the door), and why risk them getting hurt outside. Am I being ridiculous about feeling guilty when I am gone?  

Some cats are not as big on playing, which is fine. I've seen a few varieties of a toy that has a small mouse on the end of a wire attached to a wand, and most cats love it because it moves in a lifelike way. It's a toy that, like Da bird, only works when you're there to play with them, though. 

Have you ever tried catnip with the feral? Kittens usually don't respond to it, and not all cats do, either, but the ones that do have a great time with it! I've found that any toy by Yeowwwww! Catnip is a huge hit with my cat, and she doesn't like to play a lot, either. She will bat them around, rub them over her face, and grab them and bunny kick them.

If they're really food motivated, you can get a puzzle toy like a ball with holes and stuff it with treats so they can bat it around to get the food out while you're gone.

You can also rotate the toys to keep things fresh and exciting.

Toys aren't the only way to provide enrichment, either. Scratching posts/pads, cat trees, and bird feeders by the window all provide cats with things to do or look at.

Being gone for 8 hours is fine! All cats have different personalities and some are definitely more needy than others, but a lot of cats like having alone time. Especially because they're recently feral, they probably are on a more nocturnal schedule anyway.

I agree that letting your cat go outside on its own is NOT worth the risk at all. However, leash and harness training them so they can safely explore outside is a really great option!

Try not to feel too guilty! The older cat especially is very grateful to be inside, safe, warm, dry, well-fed, and happy! The kitten probably doesn't remember a whole lot, but kittens are pretty much up for anything. And they have each other for company when you're at work.

Great advice above. If interactive toys like da bird which you have already tend to be well recieved you can also try more of those such as a snake charmer and a laser pointer.  Regarding toys they are supposed to play with on their own, rotating as suggested above helps A LOT to keep them from getting bored.

You are 1000% correct about letting them remain inside only pets. They are so much safer with that lifestyle.

Cats can be alone longer than dogs and, although they seem self-sufficient, they often do miss their humans. We have two cats who walk around the house crying after my husband leaves for work. They only stop when I call to them and remind them I am still home. I hate to think how they react when we both go out!

We have five containers of toys, ranging from homemade catnip mice to expensive battery run bugs that skitter across the floor. All of our cats become bored with them eventually, so I rotate. I find when they haven't seen a toy for awhile, it will pique their interest.

But you do not need to feel guilty. You are providing these two with a loving home - much more than they had as strays! Kudos to you for all you are doing.

Please keep your cats inside. On average they live 5 years outside. Thats very short.

My cats really like this chaser.
tps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DHV16/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_eevRwbKQSKQVJ

Yeah you're used to having dogs and they are much needier. Doesnt mean cats should be ignored but dont feel bad about having to go to work.

Thanks for all the advice and recommendations.  I just feel so guilty because there are days when I really do not interact much with the former feral.  He loves to be brushed...but only for so long before he walks away.  I usually always offer to brush him everyday, but it is usually not for very long b/c he walks away.  He sometimes plays with the kitten, but some days he does not play with him at all.  I do talk to him everyday, but I doubt he even cares about that, lol.

Cats do miss their humans, and I understand your guilty feelings, but don't let that stand in the way of going out on the weekends. Leaving for a few hours is not the same thing as being gone for days. They will look forward to your coming home and will greet you at the door, if they are not doing that now.

nsav8 said:

 
Thanks for all the advice and recommendations.  I just feel so guilty because there are days when I really do not interact much with the former feral.  He loves to be brushed...but only for so long before he walks away.  I usually always offer to brush him everyday, but it is usually not for very long b/c he walks away.  He sometimes plays with the kitten, but some days he does not play with him at all.  I do talk to him everyday, but I doubt he even cares about that, lol.

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Don't worry, it sounds like he's got things just how he likes them! He likes to get a little bit of people time, and then he likes to do his own thing. It may seem like he doesn't care that your talking to him, but cats are very good about noticing their surroundings without drawing attention to themselves. I bet he finds your voice comforting.

The formal feral might always be a little standoffish because of his background, but as long as he seems relaxed then he's probably happy and you don't need to beat yourself up over how much time he spends with you. He might become more eager for petting and contact as time passes, but if he does he'll initiate it, so you can just follow his lead and he'll be very happy.