Updated July 2026

Going away does not mean filling your home with expensive electronic toys and hoping they keep your cat entertained.

Good enrichment is usually much simpler. It gives your cat safe opportunities to explore, watch, scratch, climb, sniff, hunt, play and rest while keeping their familiar routine as normal as possible.

Enrichment can make the time between cat-sitting visits more interesting, particularly for indoor cats. However, no toy, puzzle feeder, pet camera or automatic device can replace regular care from a responsible person.

A cat sitter still needs to check your cat, provide fresh food and water, clean litter trays, monitor behaviour and respond if something appears wrong.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this guide are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that have a practical purpose and may be useful for some cats. Your cat does not need every product mentioned.

In This Guide

What cat enrichment means
Why enrichment matters while you are away
Why routine should come before novelty
Safe toys to leave between visits
Toys that require supervision
Food puzzles and treat searches
Cardboard boxes, tunnels and hiding places
Scratching, climbing and window watching
Enrichment for nervous, senior and indoor cats
What a cat sitter can do during a visit
Recommended cat enrichment products
Common enrichment mistakes
Frequently asked questions
Preparing your home before you travel

What Is Cat Enrichment?

Cat enrichment means giving your cat suitable opportunities to express natural behaviour.

Depending on the individual cat, this may include:

Stalking
Chasing
Pouncing
Climbing
Scratching
Exploring
Searching for food
Watching movement
Hiding
Resting somewhere secure
Interacting with a trusted person

Enrichment does not have to involve constant activity.

Sitting on a comfortable windowsill and watching birds can be just as valuable to some cats as chasing a toy. A cardboard box may be more interesting than an expensive gadget. A few pieces of dry food hidden around a familiar room may create more engagement than leaving every toy your cat owns on the floor.

The aim is not to keep your cat busy every minute. Cats naturally spend a large part of the day resting.

Enrichment provides choice and gives your cat something enjoyable to do when they are awake and interested.

The Cats Protection guide to indoor cats explains the importance of helping cats express natural behaviours through suitable play, climbing, scratching and feeding opportunities.

Why Enrichment Matters While You Are Away

Your absence changes part of your cat’s normal routine.

The house may be quieter. Feeding times may feel slightly different. Familiar conversations, movements and evening routines temporarily disappear.

Some cats appear unaffected. Others may become more withdrawn, vocal, restless or demanding.

You can read more about this in my guide to whether cats can become lonely.

Enrichment cannot remove every change, but it can help preserve familiar activities.

It may give your cat:

A predictable way to find part of their meal
A favourite place from which to watch the garden
A familiar scratching surface
Safe toys to bat or carry
Places to climb, hide and sleep
Positive interaction during a sitter’s visit

This can be particularly valuable for indoor cats because their opportunities depend almost entirely on what is available inside the home.

Cats with outdoor access may patrol, climb, investigate scents and watch wildlife outside. Indoor cats need safe ways to perform many of these behaviours inside.

Enrichment Does Not Replace a Cat Sitter

Automatic feeders, fountains, cameras and interactive toys can all be useful supporting tools. None of them provides a complete welfare check.

A camera cannot:

Notice every subtle change in behaviour
Smell an unusually dirty litter tray
Clean up vomit
Refresh stale water
Check whether a cat is limping
Investigate why food has not been eaten
Free a trapped cat
Contact a vet and follow an emergency plan
Provide calm human company

Most cats should receive at least one proper visit every day while their owners are away.

Kittens, senior cats, cats needing medication and cats with health concerns may need more frequent care.

My guide to how often a cat sitter should visit explains the different factors you should consider.

Keep Your Cat’s Routine Familiar

One of the most useful things you can do is keep enrichment familiar.

The week before a holiday is not the best time to completely rearrange your cat’s environment or introduce several complicated new toys.

Cats often rely on predictable routines. Familiar feeding locations, litter trays, beds, hiding places and scratching areas can help them feel secure.

Introduce new enrichment gradually before you travel.

This allows you to:

Check whether your cat enjoys it
Make sure they understand how it works
Identify any safety concerns
See whether it causes frustration
Include any food used in their normal daily allowance
Explain the activity clearly to your cat sitter

A puzzle feeder should not be introduced on the morning you leave.

Your cat may not understand it, find it too difficult, or refuse to use it.

Start with an easy version while you are still at home. Make the food simple to reach, then increase the difficulty only if your cat remains interested and relaxed.

Put Safety Before Entertainment

A toy that is safe during supervised play may be dangerous when nobody is present.

Cats may chew, shred or swallow parts that appeared secure when the toy was new. Strings, ribbons, wool, elastic bands, hair bands and loose threads can cause serious internal problems if swallowed.

Cats Protection advises owners not to leave cats alone with toys that could be shredded, swallowed or become tangled around them.

Its cat play guidance also recommends inspecting toys regularly and replacing damaged items.

The PDSA guide to harmful objects and intestinal blockages explains why string, thread, elastic and other small items must be kept securely out of reach.

Before leaving any item with your cat, ask:

Can any part come loose?
Could my cat swallow it?
Could a claw, leg, jaw or collar become trapped?
Could it tip over?
Could it block a doorway?
Does it contain string, wire, elastic or ribbon?
Has my cat used it safely before?
Is it suitable for unsupervised use according to the manufacturer?

When you are uncertain, put the item away and ask your sitter to bring it out during supervised play.

Safe Toys to Leave Between Visits

The suitability of any toy depends on its construction, condition and how your own cat uses it.

Possible options include:

Solid balls that are too large to swallow
Robust toy mice without loose tails or eyes
Secure kicker toys with intact seams
Sturdy cardboard boxes
Stable cat tunnels without exposed wires
Puzzle feeders your cat already understands
Solid treat-dispensing toys
Durable scratching posts
Cardboard scratchers
Secure cat trees
Familiar catnip toys in good condition

Check every item before leaving.

Remove toys that have become cracked, frayed, torn or partly dismantled. A toy that was suitable last month may no longer be safe today.

Your cat’s individual behaviour also matters.

One cat may gently bat a toy mouse across the floor. Another may tear it apart within minutes. You know your cat better than anyone, so choose items based on what they actually do rather than what the packaging suggests.

Toys That Should Only Be Used Under Supervision

Some of the most enjoyable cat toys are designed for interactive play rather than independent use.

Put these away after every play session:

Fishing-rod toys
Wand toys
Toys attached to string or elastic
Ribbon toys
Wool
Balls of yarn
Toys with easily detached feathers
Laser pointers
Small toys your cat tries to chew or swallow
Homemade fabric toys with loose threads
Damaged soft toys with exposed stuffing
Plastic bags
Paper bags with handles still attached

International Cat Care recommends storing wand toys out of reach when they are not being used.

Its guide to playing with your cat also explains how interactive play allows cats to stalk, chase, pounce and catch.

These toys can be excellent during a cat-sitting visit. They need a responsible person to be present.

Food Puzzles and Treat-Dispensing Toys

Food puzzles encourage cats to search, investigate and work for part of their meal.

They can be especially useful for cats who eat dry food, although some products can also hold small amounts of suitable wet food.

Possible options include:

Rolling treat dispensers
Activity boards
Slow-feeding bowls
Food hidden inside an egg box
Dry food placed inside folded cardboard tubes
Small portions hidden around a familiar room
Lick mats used during a supervised visit
Treats placed on different levels of a cat tree

The objective is not to make food difficult or stressful to obtain.

Begin with a simple puzzle. Your cat should be able to earn food fairly quickly.

If your cat walks away, paws frantically, bites the feeder or appears frustrated, make the activity easier.

Never place your cat’s entire meal in an unfamiliar puzzle and assume they will solve it.

Include Enrichment Food in the Daily Allowance

Food used for enrichment should normally come from your cat’s measured daily allowance.

Regularly adding extra treats can contribute to weight gain. This is particularly relevant for indoor cats whose activity levels may be lower.

Write clear instructions for your sitter explaining:

Which food can be used
How much to use
Which feeder it goes into
Where the feeder should be placed
Whether uneaten food should be removed
Any allergies or dietary restrictions

Cats on prescription or veterinary diets should receive only food approved for them.

Do Not Leave Wet Food Out Indefinitely

Wet food can spoil, dry out, or attract insects if left for too long, especially in warm weather.

Use it in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and any advice from your vet.

Ask your sitter to remove uneaten food and wash the bowl as part of the visit.

For summer preparation, use my summer cat-sitting checklist.

Create a Simple Treat Search

A treat search can be one of the easiest and cheapest forms of enrichment.

Begin by placing a few pieces of your cat’s normal dry food where they are easy to see.

Suitable familiar locations might include:

Beside a scratching post
On a low cat-tree platform
Near a favourite bed
Inside an open cardboard box
On a clean activity mat
Beside a familiar toy

Do not hide food in places where it could become dirty, damp or forgotten.

Avoid placing food:

Near litter trays
Beside cleaning products
Behind appliances
Near electrical cables
Inside furniture
In rooms your sitter cannot easily check

Make the search appropriate for your cat’s age and mobility.

A senior cat should not need to climb onto a high shelf to reach part of their meal.

Cardboard Boxes Make Excellent Enrichment

Many cats enjoy boxes because they provide opportunities to hide, explore, watch and rest.

A cardboard box can become:

A quiet sleeping space
A hiding place
A play tunnel
A low-cost activity centre
A place to investigate a familiar scent
Part of a gentle treat search

Choose a clean, stable box with no staples, tape loops, plastic wrapping or loose string.

Cut holes large enough that your cat cannot become stuck. Make sure the box cannot collapse onto them and avoid building an unstable tower.

A familiar blanket can make a box more inviting, particularly for a nervous cat.

Do not force your cat into it. Place it somewhere quiet and allow them to investigate in their own time.

Paper Bags Can Be Useful With Preparation

A sturdy paper bag can provide a rustling place to explore, but remove both handles before giving it to your cat.

Handles can become caught around a cat’s head, neck or legs.

Do not use plastic carrier bags. They can create a suffocation and entanglement risk.

Inspect paper bags regularly and remove them if they become wet, torn or heavily chewed.

Provide a Safe Cat Tunnel

Tunnels can support hiding, chasing and short bursts of play.

Some cats run through them. Others prefer sitting inside and watching the room.

Before leaving a tunnel out:

Check that internal supports are not exposed
Inspect the fabric for holes
Remove dangling toys containing elastic or string
Make sure the tunnel stays open
Place it away from stairs and doorways
Confirm that your cat has used it safely before

A tunnel should provide choice. It should not become the only route to food, water or a litter tray.

Rotate Familiar Toys

Leaving every toy out at once can make them less interesting.

Instead, rotate a small selection.

Your sitter might put one safe toy away and bring out another during the visit. This creates some novelty without introducing something completely unfamiliar.

A simple rotation might include:

One ball
One robust toy mouse
One kicker toy
One cardboard box
One puzzle feeder
One supervised wand toy stored safely between visits

Your cat may still ignore everything and choose the box. That is perfectly normal.

Support Natural Scratching Behaviour

Scratching is normal cat behaviour.

It helps cats stretch, maintain their claws and leave visual and scent signals in their environment.

Provide scratching options in places your cat already uses rather than hiding a small post in an unused room.

Possible choices include:

A tall vertical post
A horizontal cardboard scratcher
A sturdy scratching mat
Part of a stable cat tree

A vertical scratching post should be tall enough for your cat to stretch fully and stable enough not to wobble or fall.

If your cat scratches the sofa, place an appropriate scratcher close to that location. The aim is to give them a practical alternative.

Make Use of Vertical Space

Many cats feel secure when they can observe a room from above.

Vertical enrichment might include:

A stable cat tree
Secure wall-mounted shelves
The top of sturdy furniture reached by a safe route
A secure window platform
A quiet bed on a raised surface

Check all fittings before travelling.

Do not install a new wall shelf or suction-mounted perch and then leave immediately. Give yourself time to check that it remains secure under your cat’s full weight.

Cats with arthritis, poor balance or reduced vision may need lower platforms and easier routes.

Create a Safe Window-Watching Area

Watching birds, leaves, people and garden activity can provide long periods of quiet stimulation.

You can improve a favourite window by providing:

A stable windowsill
A secure window perch
A cat tree positioned nearby
A comfortable bed
A clear view through the glass
Curtains or blinds arranged safely

Secure blind cords and keep loops out of reach.

Windows must also be safe. Tilted windows can trap cats, while an open upper-floor window can create a serious fall risk.

If your cat enjoys watching the outside world, you may also like my guide to what your cat does while you are on holiday.

Use Familiar Scents

Cats depend heavily on scent.

Familiar bedding, sleeping areas, and scratching places can help keep their environment smelling reassuring while you are away.

Avoid washing every blanket immediately before you leave. A clean home may feel pleasant to us, but removing familiar scents from every bed and soft surface is unnecessary.

You might leave:

Your cat’s usual blanket
Their normal bed
A recently worn T-shirt placed safely on a bed
Their familiar carrier left open as a hiding place
Their usual scratching post

Do not use essential oils or strongly scented products as enrichment.

Some essential oils can be harmful to cats, and strong unfamiliar smells may be unpleasant or stressful.

Give Your Cat Choice

Good enrichment is optional.

Your cat should be able to:

Approach or ignore a toy
Enter or leave a hiding place
Move away from a person
Rest without being disturbed
Use more than one sleeping location
Access food, water and litter without passing another cat
Choose whether to play during a visit

A cat that does not play is not necessarily unhappy.

They may prefer to watch, sleep, sniff, or sit near the visitor.

Enrichment should never involve repeatedly placing a toy in front of a cat that has clearly moved away.

Enrichment for Nervous and Rescue Cats

Nervous cats often need less pressure, not more entertainment.

A new person moving toys around their hiding place may feel intrusive rather than enjoyable.

For a shy cat, suitable enrichment may mean:

Keeping feeding times predictable
Sitting quietly at a comfortable distance
Avoiding direct staring
Talking gently
Leaving treats nearby without approaching
Keeping hiding places available
Refreshing familiar puzzle feeders
Allowing the cat to initiate contact
Using the same calm routine at every visit

Do not block a nervous cat’s hiding place or reach inside to pull them out.

The sitter still needs to confirm that the cat is safe. This may involve carefully checking usual hiding areas, observing whether food has been eaten and looking for evidence that the litter tray has been used.

A nervous cat may not appear for several visits. Building trust can take time.

Enrichment for Senior Cats

Older cats may still enjoy play, but activities need to respect their mobility, vision, hearing and health.

Useful options might include:

Low cardboard scratchers
Easy food puzzles
Treats placed close to resting areas
Warm, accessible beds
Lower platforms
Gentle rolling toys
Short supervised play sessions
Quiet company
Familiar grooming if the cat enjoys it and the owner has requested it

Avoid making an older cat jump unnecessarily.

Check whether they can comfortably reach:

Food
Water
Litter trays
Beds
Scratching surfaces
Favourite viewing areas

A sudden reduction in activity should not automatically be dismissed as ageing.

Changes in movement, appetite, toileting or behaviour should be reported to the owner and may require veterinary advice.

Enrichment for Kittens

Kittens are curious and may be more likely to climb, chew, dismantle or swallow objects.

They also require more frequent care than a healthy adult cat.

For kittens:

Use robust, age-appropriate toys
Remove string and elastic toys after play
Check for small detachable parts
Keep cables secured
Store household chemicals and medicines safely
Make sure furniture cannot topple
Supervise climbing and interactive play
Provide several short play sessions rather than one long session
Check every room carefully before leaving

Do not rely on toys to compensate for long periods alone.

Discuss an appropriate visit schedule with your sitter before travelling.

Enrichment for Indoor Cats

Indoor cats may depend more heavily on the opportunities available inside the home.

Try to provide a combination of:

Safe resting places
Hiding spaces
Vertical space
Scratching surfaces
Food-searching activities
Window watching
Independent toys
Daily interactive play
Human company

Do not judge enrichment by the number of products you own.

A well-planned environment with several useful resources is better than a floor covered in ignored toys.

You can find broader everyday advice in my Cat Care Advice Hub.

Enrichment in a Multi-Cat Home

Cats sharing a home do not always want to share every resource.

Competition can become more noticeable when the owner is away or when the usual routine changes.

Provide several separate:

Food bowls
Water locations
Beds
Hiding areas
Scratching surfaces
Elevated resting places
Litter trays
Play opportunities

Place resources in different areas rather than creating one crowded feeding and toileting station.

A confident cat should not be able to guard every route to food, water or the litter tray.

Explain the relationship between your cats to the sitter.

Include details such as:

Which cat eats first
Whether they need separate rooms at mealtimes
Which cat steals food
Where each cat usually hides
Whether interactive play should happen separately
Signs that one cat is becoming uncomfortable

What I Can Do During a Cat-Sitting Visit

During a cat-sitting visit, enrichment should be adapted to the individual cat rather than treated as a fixed checklist.

Depending on your cat’s preferences and the time available, a visit may include:

Refreshing a familiar puzzle feeder
Hiding a few pieces of measured dry food
Supervised wand-toy play
Rolling a ball or toy mouse
Opening or repositioning a cardboard box
Checking a scratching post or tunnel
Sitting quietly with a nervous cat
Providing gentle attention if invited
Brushing a cat that enjoys it, when agreed in advance
Opening curtains for a familiar window view
Rotating safe toys
Sending you photographs or a short update

Food, fresh water, litter cleaning and welfare checks remain the priorities.

Enrichment comes after your cat’s essential needs have been met and only when they appear comfortable.

Find out more about my cat-sitting service in Finchley.

A Simple Enrichment Plan for Your Holiday

You do not need to prepare a complicated daily programme.

A practical plan might look like this.

Before You Leave

Keep normal beds and hiding places available
Check the cat tree and scratching posts
Put unsafe string toys away
Leave two or three suitable independent toys
Prepare clearly labelled portions of food
Explain how the puzzle feeder works
Secure blind cords and windows
Leave the wand toy somewhere the sitter can find but the cat cannot reach
Write down your cat’s favourite activities
Remove damaged toys

During Each Visit

Your sitter can:

Complete a welfare check
Feed your cat and provide fresh water
Clean litter trays
Check for vomit, diarrhoea or damage
Observe your cat’s behaviour
Refresh one enrichment activity
Offer supervised play or quiet company
Remove anything that has become unsafe
Send you an update

Between Visits

Your cat can have access to:

Familiar beds and hiding places
Stable scratching surfaces
A safe viewing area
One or two inspected independent toys
A familiar puzzle feeder where appropriate
Fresh water in more than one location

Recommended Cat Enrichment Products

You do not need to buy all of these products.

Choose items that suit your cat’s existing behaviour, age, health and confidence. Introduce everything before your trip and inspect products regularly for wear.

Interactive Puzzle Feeder

An interactive cat puzzle feeder can encourage searching and problem-solving while slowing down some enthusiastic eaters.

Start with food placed where it is easy to reach. Do not make the puzzle too difficult or use it for your cat’s entire meal until you know they will use it confidently.

Secure Window Hammock

A cat window hammock may suit cats who enjoy watching birds, neighbours and garden activity.

Follow the installation instructions carefully. Check all suction cups and fittings regularly and test the perch well before going away.

Cat Tunnel

A cat play tunnel can provide a place to hide, explore or rest.

Inspect the fabric, stitching and internal supports. Remove any attached dangling toys that contain elastic or string and are unsuitable for unsupervised use.

Catnip Toy

A catnip toy may encourage some adult cats to play, carry or kick.

Not every cat responds to catnip. Check the seams regularly and remove the toy if stuffing becomes exposed.

Scratching Post

A sturdy scratching post gives your cat an appropriate place to stretch and scratch.

Choose a post that is tall enough and has a stable base. Position it where your cat already likes to scratch.

Wand Toy for Supervised Visits

A feather wand toy can be useful for interactive play with an owner or sitter.

It must be stored securely after each session. Do not leave your cat alone with the wand, string, elastic or feathers.

More practical equipment can be found on my recommended pet products and services page.

Common Enrichment Mistakes

Introducing Everything on Departure Day

Your cat has no time to learn how an activity works or show you that they dislike it.

Introduce products before the holiday.

Leaving String Toys Out

Wand toys, ribbons, thread and wool should be secured after supervised play.

Making Food Puzzles Too Difficult

Enrichment should not prevent your cat from eating.

Begin with easy rewards.

Giving Too Many Extra Treats

Include enrichment food in your cat’s normal daily allowance unless your vet has advised otherwise.

Buying Products Instead of Observing Your Cat

Your cat may prefer an old box, a quiet windowsill or a familiar toy.

Use their behaviour to guide your choices.

Removing Familiar Smells

Avoid washing every bed and blanket immediately before you leave.

Blocking Hiding Places

Hiding can help cats feel safe.

Check that hiding areas are secure rather than removing them without a good reason.

Forcing Interaction

A sitter should allow your cat to choose whether to approach or play.

Depending Entirely on Technology

Feeders, cameras and fountains can fail.

They can support care, but they do not replace a person.

Leaving Damaged Toys in Use

Inspect every toy before the trip and during visits.

Preparing Your Home Before You Travel

Use this checklist during the week before your departure.

Introduce any new puzzle feeders
Measure food and treats
Write clear feeding instructions
Check toys for damage
Store string toys securely
Secure blind cords
Check windows and cat flaps
Confirm the cat tree is stable
Leave familiar bedding in place
Provide several water locations
Clean litter trays and leave enough litter
Explain where your cat normally hides
Leave your vet’s contact details
Provide an emergency contact
Show the sitter how feeders and fountains work
Test batteries and electronic equipment
Leave ordinary bowls as backups
Confirm the sitter’s visit schedule
Explain which toys require supervision
Make sure your sitter can reach all necessary rooms

For wider holiday preparation, read my summer cat-sitting checklist and guide to leaving cats alone overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much enrichment does a cat need while I am away?

No fixed amount suits every cat.

Most cats benefit from a familiar environment with places to rest, hide, scratch, climb, and watch, along with suitable play or feeding activities.

A few well-chosen options are normally better than filling the room with toys.

Can I leave a puzzle feeder with my cat?

Yes, provided it is safe, suitable for your cat and has been introduced before you travel.

Make sure your cat can use it successfully and that any food placed inside forms part of their normal allowance.

Can I leave a wand toy out?

No.

Wand toys typically contain string, elastic, feathers, or other components that can pose an entanglement or choking risk.

They are excellent for supervised play but should be stored securely afterwards.

Are automatic cat toys safe to leave running?

This depends on the individual product and how your cat interacts with it.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, supervise several uses before travelling and check for parts that could detach or trap a paw.

When uncertain, use the toy only while someone is present.

Should I leave the television or radio on?

Some cats are accustomed to normal household sound and may settle with a radio playing quietly. Others prefer silence.

Use your cat’s existing routine as the guide. Do not suddenly introduce loud or unfamiliar programmes when you leave.

Is a cardboard box safe for a cat?

A clean, stable box can be excellent enrichment.

Remove staples, plastic, tape loops and loose string. Make sure any holes are large enough and that the box cannot collapse or trap your cat.

What enrichment is best for a nervous cat?

For a nervous cat, enrichment may include predictable feeding, familiar hiding places, quiet company, gentle treat searches and the freedom to approach in their own time.

Do not force play or remove secure hiding places.

Do outdoor cats still need indoor enrichment?

Yes.

Outdoor cats may spend more time inside while you are away, during bad weather or overnight.

They should still have indoor resting places, water, litter facilities, scratching surfaces and appropriate activities.

Can enrichment replace twice-daily visits?

No.

The visit schedule should be based on your cat’s welfare needs, age, health, medication and routine.

Enrichment makes the time between visits more interesting. It does not provide care.

What happens if my cat ignores every toy?

That may be completely normal.

Your cat may prefer sleeping, watching through a window, rubbing against familiar furniture or sitting near the sitter.

Enrichment provides choices. It should not pressure a cat into being active.

Final Thoughts

Indoor enrichment while you are away should be safe, familiar and suited to your own cat.

You do not need a house full of gadgets.

A stable scratching post, secure hiding place, comfortable window view, familiar puzzle feeder and a few minutes of appropriate interaction may provide far more value than a collection of complicated toys.

The most important foundations remain:

A familiar environment
A dependable routine
Fresh food and water
Clean litter trays
Safe resting and hiding places
Daily welfare checks
Calm human attention
A clear emergency plan

Enrichment supports those essentials. It does not replace them.

If you are planning a holiday, weekend away or work trip and need calm, reliable care, learn more about my professional cat-sitting service in Finchley or contact me to discuss your cat’s routine.

I provide personalised cat-sitting visits in Finchley and selected surrounding areas, with care adapted to each cat’s personality, routine and confidence.

Veterinary disclaimer: This guide provides general cat-care and safety information. It is not a substitute for an examination, diagnosis or treatment from a veterinary surgeon. I do not diagnose medical conditions or provide veterinary treatment. Contact your veterinary practice promptly if your cat stops eating, vomits repeatedly, appears painful, becomes unusually withdrawn or may have swallowed a foreign object.