Let’s Talk Toys: Keeping RV Cats Happy Through Change

 Let’s talk toys—because right now, toys are a very big deal in our RV.

This week we’re packing up, and we’re trying our hardest not to touch the girls’ toys. That’s easier said than done. Cats know. They always know. Even when you think you’re being subtle, they sense change long before boxes are taped or cabinets are emptied.

Miss Fred has already sounded the alarm. Her zoomies have increased, and we’re seeing more wall-climbing shenanigans than usual. Abby, on the other hand, has turned up the volume—crying more than normal, which is her way of requesting individual, uninterrupted attention. (It works, by the way.) Ellie, being our old hen, is quietly observing everything, filing it all away, and sticking close to Mom.

LOL PINK RUBBER CHICKEN

One thing these girls absolutely do not lack is human attention. They know us as well as we know them, and what we’re seeing right now isn’t bad behavior—it’s communication. They’re reacting to the upcoming changes, processing it in the only way cats know how.

The good news? The newer RV will give them more room, more vertical space, and more opportunities to stretch out and explore. The realistic news? It’s probably going to take about six months for them to fully adjust to the new space and its “rules.” And let’s be honest… rules don’t really apply to cats anyway. 😹

That’s where toys come in.

This opens up to a tube and the girls 
love, love, love this toy.

For RVing cats, toys aren’t just entertainment, they’re essential. Living in an RV means limited square footage and fewer opportunities for natural outdoor stimulation. Toys help fill that gap. They provide physical exercise, mental engagement, stress relief, and a sense of routine during times of transition.

We make it a point to rotate toys regularly so the girls never get bored. Rotation keeps toys feeling “new,” even if they’ve had them for years. It encourages activity, sparks curiosity, and prevents overstimulation from having everything out at once. It also helps us tailor playtime to each cat’s personality.

Ellie prefers gentle, interactive play with her hoomans... nothing too wild, just connection. Abby? Abby destroys toys like a dog would. If it squeaks, crinkles, or has feathers, she’s on a mission. Miss Fred thrives on anything that lets her burn energy and show off her athletic skills.

Make sure you get CAT NIP too

In this blog, the photos you’re seeing are of the toys we actually use and love. We’ve included links so you can see what we paid and decide if they’re a good fit for your own RVing cat. Space matters when you travel, so we focus on toys that store easily, serve multiple purposes, and keep our cats engaged without taking over the entire rig.

Why is this so important, especially for RV cats?

Because toys provide stability when everything else feels different. During moves, remodels, or travel days, familiar toys offer comfort. They smell like home. They feel predictable. They give cats an outlet for stress that doesn’t involve climbing curtains or vocal protests at 3 a.m.

Toys also help maintain healthy weight, especially for indoor RV cats who don’t have room to roam freely like outdoor cats might. Regular play supports muscle tone, joint health, and mental sharpness... particularly important for senior cats like Ellie.

We encourage intentional play every single day. Sometimes that means getting down on the floor with them, sometimes it’s tossing a toy down the hallway, and sometimes it’s simply sitting nearby while they entertain themselves. It all counts.

And we’re always learning.

If you have a toy your cat absolutely loves, especially one that works well in an RV... drop it in the comments. We’re always adding new things into rotation for Ellie, Abby, and Miss Fred. Let’s help each other keep our traveling cats happy, stimulated, and loved.

Because RV life is an adventure, for all of us. And every adventure is better with toys.

Ellie: Our Old Hen, Our Healer, Our Constant

 Ellie is our oldest. Our old hen. The steady one.

And from the very beginning, she wasn’t just a cat... she had a purpose.

The day we got Ellie wasn’t flashy or planned out months in advance. We drove to a small grocery store parking lot in the town of Spirit Lake and did a simple exchange. No big production. No long drive to a breeder. Just a quiet moment that would unknowingly change our lives.

Our motivation for Ellie was very different than it was for the other two girls. She had one job. One very important job.

Ellie was brought into our lives to help Mom through some very hard days... days shaped by that nasty “C” word that no family ever wants to face. And she did her job beautifully. More than beautifully. She gave comfort without being asked, presence without expectation, and love without conditions.

She sat close. She stayed longer. She knew when to be still.

Ellie started her life with us full-timing in a fancy apartment. Then she transitioned to something very different... our first RV and a rented lot surrounded by woods. A whole new world. Different sounds, different smells, different rhythms. And she handled it all with ease. Her transition periods have always been gentle, like she simply accepts whatever chapter comes next.

Eventually, Ellie became what she is today: a full-time indoor RVing cat. No fuss. No rebellion. Just adapting, as she always does.

Now that she’s older, her priorities are simple. Sleep. Cuddles. Being close to her hoomans. That’s her happy place.

She’ll tolerate Dad’s petting... on her terms, of course. When she’s done, she’ll let him know with a little bite. Not mean, just firm. Boundaries. But Mom? Mom never gets bitten. Ever. Mom is safe. Mom is home.

Over the last year, we’ve noticed something else too. When the two younger girls start picking on her, Ellie doesn’t fight back. She doesn’t hiss or swat. She bolts straight to Mom, where she knows she’ll be saved. And honestly, that says everything about their bond.

Ellie has also gained some weight. She still plays, but food? Food is her true love language. She’s never been a big toy cat. That hasn’t changed. The only time toys really matter to her is when the hoomans get down on the floor and play with her... daily. Because she’s getting a little fluffier, we’ve increased her one-on-one playtime. Not because she demands it, but because she deserves it.

She still sleeps on her own pillow above Mom’s head, wrapped in her own fancy little cat blanket like the queen she is. But during the day, she naps wherever Mom is working remotely. Desk nearby? Ellie’s there. Couch? Ellie’s there. Bed? Obviously there.

We cherish these moments with Ellie because of everything she’s done for us... especially when we needed her most. She didn’t just help Mom survive hard days. She helped all of us learn how healing can come quietly, wrapped in fur, with a soft purr and steady presence.

Ellie will be turning nine years old soon, and it’s honestly hard to believe how fast time has flown. She’s been apartment cat, woods cat, RV cat, healer, protector, comforter, and constant.

She may be older now. She may sleep more and play less. But to us, Ellie will always be the cat who showed up exactly when we needed her... and stayed.

And for that, she will always be our old hen.

This is Ellie's favorite day-time napping blanket