Not so happy at night thinking, “How can I make my indoor cat’s life more fun?”

Well champ, here’s a surprisingly simple answer: invite your cat into the kitchen and cook together.

It’s not about making them a chef, it’s about bonding through a big yum.

What Does It Mean to “Cook With Your Cat”?

No, we’re not pulling a Ratatouille move here. Your cat won’t be steering your spoon or seasoning your soup.

“Cooking with your cat” means including them in your kitchen routine in a safe way. It’s about:

  • letting your cat sniff ingredients,

  • exposing them to new scents and sounds, and

  • creating a shared, enriching experience right at home.

This is one of the most creative, necessary and low-effort indoor cat activities you can do.

Just a Sniff (No Tasting!)

The golden rule: let your cat smell, not monch

Try this next time you cook:

  • Adding butter to a pan? Let your cat sniff that tiny half tablespoon before it meets the pan.

  • Baking something delicious like candied bacon?  Bite half, kneel down, and let your cat inspect the other half before you finish it.

This little ritual lets them participate, turning an ordinary kitchen routine into quality time with your cat.

Cat vs. Dog: Who Has the Better Nose?

You might assume dogs are the ultimate scent experts and they are impressive but cats have serious sniffing power too.

Here’s how they compare:

  • 🐶 Dogs: Around 300 million scent receptors.

  • 🐱 Cats: Roughly 45 to 80 million scent receptors. Not as many, but far more refined than our human 5 million.

  • 👃 Bonus organ: Cats also have a Jacobson’s organ (or vomeronasal organ), which helps them detect pheromones and chemical cues.

That’s why your cat might pause mid-sniff, open their mouth slightly, and look zoned out that’s called the Flehman response, and it means they’re analyzing a scent at a deeper level.

So while dogs might win in numbers, cats win in style — their sense of smell is built for fine-tuned investigation.

Get Down on Their Level

When sharing ingredients with your cat, kneel down to them if your body allows.

This gesture:

  • invites them into the activity,

  • helps them feel safe and included,

  • gives you a perfect moment to admire their eyes, and whiskers

While you’re there, do a mini health check:

  • Are their eyes bright and clear?

  • Is their coat shiny?

  • Do they seem relaxed and curious?

Add a little pat or chin scratch so they’ll associate cooking time with affection and attention.  Plus the kitchen is where the family gather, so gather the CATS DOOD!

Learning to Squash Their Curiosity

Imagine being indoors every day, with curiosity wired into your DNA. Wouldn’t you leap at the chance to explore new smells and sounds?

That’s your cat’s daily experience.

I take a few seconds to share each ingredient with my cats. My tabby, in particular, loves it. From the clank of a dish to the spark of the stove, she’s there in a flash, asking what, exactly, is on the menu.

Turn Yums Into Connection

Cooking with your cat isn’t about food it’s about connection. My cats personally like smoked meats, dairy derivative products, and bread.

Note this also works with dogs, but dogs tend to want to enjoy more than endure when it comes to food.

By turning ordinary moments into "Tours of Italy", you give your cat enrichment, attention, and love in a form they naturally understand: FOOD.

Because sometimes, the best recipe for happiness isn’t on the plate it’s right beside you, purring on the kitchen floor. :)