A video of a man transforming cardboard boxes into hours of entertainment for his cats has delighted the internet.

During a TikTok clip posted by Soph (@bitesfrombrum), her fiancé is seen building an indoor playground for their furry friends, and the footage has gathered over 525,000 views.

The text layered over the footage of the cats jumping in and out of holes in the packaging explains why he did it. It says: "POV – your fiancé sees a TikTok about finding ways to make every day different for your cat for enrichment, and now this is your living room."

Indeed, owners are willing to go above and beyond for their pets, even if it means sacrificing their own space. Newsweek reached out to animal expert Olivia Graham, who explained the importance of both mental and physical stimulation for felines.

Cat Enrichment and Mental Stimulation

Graham, the head of U.S. operations for the pet-rehoming website Lancaster Puppies, explained that cats can get bored easily if they aren't mentally stimulated, which can lead to bad behavior like scratching the furniture.

"Enrichment activities help keep a cat's mind sharp and also boost their mental health, making them less likely to develop behavioral issues. Engaging in enrichment play with your cat also strengthens your bond and makes them feel safer and more comfortable around you," she said.

She also pointed out that enrichment activities can encourage cats to exercise. Graham suggests interactive toys such as feather wands or tunnels too.

She told Newsweek: "For a low-cost enrichment idea, try crumpling up a piece of paper and throwing it for your cat to chase—this triggers their hunting instincts, and they usually love the noise and texture. You could also temporarily rearrange furniture to create new routes and climbing spaces for your cat—cats love exploring 'new' environments. It also has mental health benefits, as cats can become anxious and bored in monotonous environments, so varying their surroundings a little can have a big effect."

"Cats often love cardboard boxes, which also double as a comfy spot for them to nap! One reason for this is that cats like hiding in small, enclosed spaces as they offer a sense of security.

"Make a cardboard box even more exciting by cutting a few holes into the box and dropping in treats or small toys, and watch as your cat tries to 'catch' them. If you have multiple boxes, try cutting holes in the sides and connecting them to create a 'maze' for your cat to explore."

TikTok Reacts

So far, the clip, captioned "crazy cat dad antics," has received 84,300 likes at the time of writing.

"Stuff like this always proves to me why humans literally NEED free time for hobbies because it's clearly not just 'enrichment' for the cats, it's also enriching for the Cat dad who is clearly enjoying it," said one user.

Another wrote: "Every single package is a new addition to the obstacle course."

"My cat loves paper and plastic bags, so people are always confused when they see them all over my apartment," said a third commenter.

Newsweek reached out to @bitesfrombrum for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.

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