Cat Enrichment at Home: Tunnels, Scratchers and Hammocks

Indoor cats still need to stalk, scratch and perch. A tunnel, a dedicated scratcher and a raised rest spot cover a lot of that behaviour without taking over the whole house.

Three tools that pull their weight

Tunnels and hide-and-seek toys

Multi-hole tunnels let cats dart in and out, watch from cover and play on their own terms. Soft fabric versions fold or store flat when not in use. Supervise first sessions with kittens so openings stay clear. The 9-Hole Cat Tunnel is built for this kind of play.

Scratching boards and pads

Sisal gives claws a surface that is not your sofa. Place the board where the cat already scratches, near a door, the edge of a couch, or a favourite window perch. Replace when the fibre is worn through. A focused option is the Sisal Cat Scratching Board.

Hanging hammocks and wall beds

Cats often prefer height. A macrame or fabric hammock mounted into solid wall structure gives a quiet elevated rest spot. Use proper fixings; plasterboard alone is usually not enough. Check the weight rating and supervise early use. See the Macrame Hanging Cat Hammock and, for window views, the Cat Window Hammock.

Placement beats perfection

Put the scratcher where the unwanted behaviour already happens. Put the tunnel in a hallway or living area they already patrol. Put the hammock in a quieter corner with a view of the room. One well-placed item beats three ignored ones in a cupboard.

If the cat still prefers cardboard boxes to beds, that is normal, see Why Your Cat Sleeps in the Box and Ignores the Bed You Bought for why, and how to work with it.

Safety notes

• Remove or repair anything with loose threads or damaged openings.
• Wall mounts need solid structure and the correct anchors for your wall type.
• These are for cats and small pets, large energetic dogs can destroy fabric tunnels and boards quickly.

Where to look

See Pet Toys & Play and Pet Beds & Furniture for tunnels, sisal scratchers and hanging hammocks.

Next step: pick one behaviour to support first (scratching, hiding or elevated rest), place the item in the right spot, and leave it alone long enough for the cat to claim it.