Cheetahs face serious welfare threats from illegal pet trade, particularly in the Gulf region, and require specific welfare measures in captivity.
Cheetah cubs removed from mothers for the pet trade experience maternal separation, improper nutrition, and inadequate socialization causing behavioral abnormalities. Private owners cannot meet their needs for running space. The stress of captivity combined with poor diet causes immune dysfunction and early death. Addressing demand in Gulf countries is the key intervention for reducing wild-capture suffering.