Cats are natural hunters, even when they live the coziest, indoor lives imaginable. The way their ears perk up, their eyes lock in, and their bodies freeze before pouncing…it’s instinctive. And during winter, when windows stay closed and days feel quieter, we have learned how important it is to give them safe, intentional ways to tap into those instincts.

That’s where hide-and-seek games come in.

On cold February days, when outdoor stimulation is limited, I turn treat time into a game. Instead of placing food in a bowl, I’ll use small pieces of Friskies Party Mix and hide them throughout the house, behind a chair leg, inside a puzzle toy, along a windowsill, or tucked into a paper bag. Nothing complicated. Just enough to encourage curiosity and exploration.

Watching my cat work through the hunt is fascinating. The slow stalking. The pauses. The sudden bursts of confidence when a hidden piece is found. These moments aren’t just entertaining, they’re mentally enriching. Hide-and-seek games engage a cat’s sense of smell, problem-solving skills, and natural drive to search and “capture” their reward.

What I love most is how simple it is. You don’t need elaborate setups or expensive toys. A handful of food pieces and a little creativity can transform an ordinary winter afternoon into something stimulating and fulfilling. It also shifts feeding into a bonding moment, where your cat is actively engaged instead of passively eating.

February is often associated with slowing down and staying in, but that doesn’t mean our pets should feel bored or restless. Creating hide-and-seek enrichment has become one of my favorite ways to show love, meeting my cat where their instincts already live and letting them do what they were naturally designed to do. At the end of the day, love looks different for everyone. For cats, sometimes it looks like the thrill of the hunt….followed by a very satisfied nap.