Let Them Sniff This Spring: Bringing the Outdoors in for Cats, Scent Enrichment

Recently, Heidi Skievaski, owner of Sublime Gardens, wrote a fantastic blog on about Creating Sensory Gardens for Dogs: A Haven of Exploration and Enrichment.

Mary Shelley cat sniffs a dandelion (pesticide-free). Bringing the outdoors in, can be a sweet and simple way to brighten a cat's day.

I love that our fair weather gardening plans can include the animals in our homes. It doesn’t have to be an entire garden for dogs -- although what a dream! It could be just having a part of your yard, for example, where dogs who love to dig are allowed and encouraged to dig (bury treats and toys in this area to make this their prime go-to spot!).

I like to say: One of the best things you can do for dogs: Let them sniff!

One of the best things you can do for cats: Play with your cat!

However, cats like to sniff and explore and enjoy new scents, too. Many cats are kept indoors for their safety. However, they can still enjoy springtime and scent enrichment.

You can teach cats to walk out with you on a harness (be patient and really take the time to train comfort with the harness and comfort with going outside!) or you can build a fabulous catio.

For a simpler addition to your cat's routine — bring the outdoors in for your cat.

Bring leaves and plants inside for them to sniff. For extra interest for a curious cat, wrap them in a towel, put the scents inside a toilet paper roll or egg carton to encourage them to explore. And, this doesn't have to be a fair weather only activity. Your cat might like to smell a leaf wet with fresh rain or enjoy checking out a small dish of snow.

Do make sure that all plants are non-toxic for cats.

Keep the ASPCA list of toxic and nontoxic plants handy to check for safety!

Be aware that too much nibbling on anything may lead to vomiting or diarrhea. Catnip and catmint, for example, which many cats enjoy falls into this category. So, if your cat is likely to eat the plants this may not be the right activity for them. Ask your veterinarian.

You can also plant some cat safe and enjoyable plants. Bring parts of the plants indoors for your cats to sniff, plant indoor pots, or rotate bringing potted plants inside to keep the novelty of something new for your cat to explore. 

Cat enrichment tip: Rotate toys, cat trees, scratchers etc. to keep the novelty and interest of these items. If your cat is getting bored, replace an item for a few weeks or move it to a new location.

Here are some nice plants for catios and indoor pots for scent enrichment. Some will be more interesting to cats than others, but are generally safe for cats to nibble on and explore in.

• Lemon Balm (NOT lemongrass which is toxic)

• Thyme

• Rosemary

• Basil

• Sage

• Cat grass (wheat, oat, barley grass)

• Catnip/Catmint (Some cats enjoy this. It’s genetic. But it can cause vomiting/diarrhea if they nibble too much of it!)

  Flowers:

• Gerbera daisies 

• Creeping zinnias

• Roses

• Marigolds

• Sunflowers

• Petunias

You can also take and share some cute photos of your cat enjoying their scent enrichment and encourage others to try bringing the outdoors in for cats.

Here's a nice article from ASPCA: Do You Know Which Flowers and Plants Are Toxic to Pets? Our Experts Explain!

For more fun activities for cats see our DIY guide and our splurge edition.

Do you need help with a troubling cat behavior or would you like more ways to have a happier life with your cat (s)? Schedule an initial consult and get a customized training and enrichment plan for your cat.

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