Do cats like routine? Do outside cats have routine?
As a busy mum, wife, friend, I thrive on routine and organisation. And when routine fails, things just don’t flow. And I know many humans (not all!) will agree with this. But does the same apply in the animal kingdom, and in particular, with cats? Do they have structured routines? Do they just adapt to changes? And more importantly do they like the routines that we humans impose on them simply to make our lives easier?
Do cats like routine?
The simple answer to this question is YES, cats like routine. In fact, routine is not just a preference for cats, most cats will thrive on it. A disruption to a cat’s routine can even cause them to become unwell. A study conducted by the Ohio State University studied the effect of stress on the health of cats. In short, the study showed that even a healthy cat is more likely to become sick when there is a change to daily routine or changes to their familiar environment. More details on this research can be found here: https://news.osu.edu/ohio-state-study-even-healthy-cats-act-sick-when-their-routine-is-disrupted/.
Why is routine important for cats?
Routine is important for cats as it installs a feeling of safety and security. Cats are creatures of habit and will naturally have a set way of carrying out their daily tasks. Of course, it is very often necessary that they have to fall into our human routines to fit in with work, school and so forth. But as cats are naturally very territorial, they will happily fit in around the household activities. This imposed family routine becomes their routine, their familiarity, which brings into line then their confidence and security.
Changes to a cat’s routine can also cause behavioral issues. This can be displayed in any of the following forms:
- No interest in play
- Excessive self-grooming, scratching or clawing
- Litter box issues
- Digestive issues
- Lack of sleep and napping times
- Body language displaying signs of stress and unhappiness
What needs to be encompassed into a cats’ daily routine?
Routines will vary in different households to accommodate everyone’s needs and activities. But there are certain things that must be included in order to ensure your cat is happy – and the way that these are scheduled can ensure your cat feels secure in the routine too.
Feeding
Feeding your cats at certain times will be a good routine indicator for them. Very often cats like to eat little and often – this is certainly true of one of our cats who prefers dry food! Allocate some of their food into activity feeders or invest in a timed feeder.
Sleeping
Cats love to sleep! In fact, they can sleep for approximately 16 hours a day. Ensure they have enough options of places to sleep and nap. You may well find that they develop certain sleeping places for certain times of the day. Sleep is such an important factor that we’ve dedicated a whole article to it, ‘Where should my cat sleep’.
Playtime
Spending time with your cat playing is so important for their physical and mental well being. It is as important as feeding and water! It is a good idea to spend at least 15 minutes per day playing with your cat. This time spent playing games with your cat will boost your relationship and is a great way to get to know and understand each other better. Check out our articles ’18 games to play with your cat’ for some great game ideas. When you are not around ensure there are plenty of toys and activities to keep your cat entertained.
Quality time
Apart form playtime your cat will also enjoy a little time allocated each day for some quality time together. This could include:
- time on your lap enjoying some stroking and cuddles,
- some grooming time (check out our article ‘Do I need to brush my cat’ for some tips and guidance as to what your cat may enjoy),
- or how about some outside time with you – on a leash, being carried in your arms, or maybe your cat will enjoy a longer adventure in a backpack cat carrier!
Ensuring your cat also has access to fresh water, a clean litter box, a scratching post and regular checks ups with the veterinary will also ensure your cat is happy and healthy.
Do outdoor cats have a routine?
Without fitting a tracker and monitoring the daily adventures of an outside cat, this is a question that can’t be answered with 100% certainty. But, from observing our Misty’s steps when we watch her outside, we are fairly certain that there is an element of routine. We have noticed that:
- she will take the same route in checking various outbuildings,
- have a few key favorite spots to bask in the sun when it’s warm,
- she will also have some preferred sheltered spots when she needs solace from the weather but simply isn’t ready to return indoors, and
- she will return to the outside of the house at regular intervals, as if to check in!
There are certain factors that seem to disrupt her daily circuits:
Hunting
If she’s had a successful hunt, she will carry her prey home (usually a mouse!) and will lose complete track of time and become blissfully unaware of surrounding activities. The process of tiring out her prey before the kill totally consumer her attention and energies. This whole process can consume her for several hours!
Bad weather
Many cats will not like rain, hail or snow – indeed anything that makes their fur wet. This will often be a key factor in our outside cat returning home earlier than usual. Check out the following articles which are all related to cats and the weather. Indeed, cats have been historically used as weather predictors! In times gone by, sailors would refuse to sail without a cat on board the ship. They truly believed that cats could predict the weather and sense impending storms.
Can cats sense a storm? And how to keep cats calm if they are anxious
Do cats like rain? Where do cats go when it’s raining?
Mating
Cats who are not neutered/spayed can lose track of times and routines when seeking a partner. These cats will very often venture outside their usual boundaries with the aim of finding a mating partner.
Injured or frightened
An attack from a neighboring cat, or being startled by a speeding car, or anything that causes them to be frightened, or injured, can cause your cat to flee. They may get lost and disorientated in the panic of the situation, or need time to recover before returning home. These unforeseen events can quite easily disrupt any daily routines and behaviours.
Our cat’s routine
All families and household have their own routines and schedules. We though we would share the usual daily routine of our two cats – Misty and Boo. Misty is the eldest and is an outdoor cat. Boo is her daughter and is an indoor cat.
7am – 8am
This is breakfast time! By this time our cats are awake, alert, and ready for their breakfast. Their litter is sorted, fresh water given, and toys set out for them before most of our household heads off to school and work.
9am – 11am
At 9am our outside cat, Misty, is let out for her morning walk. She has a lick treat before she heads off on her stroll. Boo, our indoor cat, has some fuss and attention, a lick treat, and very often an outside walk on her lead.
11am – 1pm
Whilst Misty is exploring, Boo is usually in the catio, or on her window seat, watching the birds or any other comings and goings of our household. Misty will usually return around midday. At around 1pm, they have some cat soup for lunch. This is followed by some stroking, belly tickles and attention for Boo.
1pm – 5pm
All is very quiet in the cat world at this time in our household. Most of this is spent sleeping! On a cold wet miserable day, they will nap in their bed in their little tent. On warm sunny days they can very often be found napping in the catio on the pot of grass, or in the little cat house we built for them.
5pm – 8pm
Our cats are very active at this time. They are hungry, playful and can be very mischievous. Our teenage daughter spends a lot of this time with the cats. They are fed, and then she plays with them for quite a while. They also like to take their turns to be carried around for outside walks at this time too.
8pm – 7am
A large proportion of this time is spent sleeping. They both sleep together, curled up, warm and snug. They can be seen sometimes in the catio – taking in the sights and smells of the outside world at night. This is more so in the warmer months.
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Other articles you may find of interest:
How much time should I spend with my cat? Why do cats need attention?
Are cats loyal? Tales of loyal cats
Do indoor cats need outside time? Why does my cat refuse to go outside?
