Sunshine, fresh air, plants, textures and new smells all help keep cats curious and mentally stimulated. But that doesn’t mean every cat should roam freely outdoors. While cats may be drawn to the sights, scents and sounds outside, keeping them safe is just as important.

This is where enrichment can help. With a little creativity, you can bring the outdoors in—or help your cat safely explore the world beyond the front door.

This is why many cats eat plants or at least want to lick or taste them. Offering them catnip or fresh grass doesn’t just give them a little buzz. It also stimulates their sense of taste. 

Scent is even more important for cats as they make sense of their world. Humans have about 5 million scent receptors, while cats can have up to 200 million.

Catnip is a familiar enrichment tool, but other herbs can help bring the outside inside, too. Dried chamomile, valerian, comfrey, lavender, calendula, lemon balm and rosebuds are good nontoxic options. 

Place a towel on the floor and arrange small samples on top. Let your cat explore and choose what interests them. You can also bring in outdoor objects such as leaves, grass, pine cones and sticks. 

Taking your cats outside on walks can be one of the best ways to keep them satisfied with indoor life, but a secure harness is essential. The lightest and most secure harness I’ve found is the Houdini Harness by Outdoor Bengal.

Most cats need time to accept a harness and adjust to being outside. This can take weeks, but building confidence before you go outdoors is worth the time.

Your cat’s personality is also a big factor. Cats with at least moderate confidence will usually have less fear when going outside. If you have a scaredy-cat, they may be happier with indoor enrichment, such as a dried herb garden.

Experts now advise dog owners to slow down and let dogs sniff for enrichment, sometimes called a “sniffari.” Anyone who has walked a cat knows that’s exactly how cats go on walks: They walk their humans, not the other way around.

Those feline scent receptors show how important new smells are for cats. Adding a slow sniffari to your cat’s routine can be one
of the most beneficial things you can do.