Urban living creates specific welfare challenges for companion animals that require adaptation of management and enrichment to meet their needs in high-density environments.
Urban companion animal welfare requires compensating for what the built environment cannot provide through enrichment and management. Dogs in cities need sufficient daily exercise including some off-lead time in parks, nose-work activities that compensate for reduced environmental complexity, and protection from noise stress events. Cats in dense urban areas benefit from indoor enrichment and secure outdoor enclosures rather than free-roaming in high-traffic areas.