Indoor cats require daily interactive play and environmental enrichment to meet their predatory behavioural needs and prevent frustration, boredom and associated health problems.
The absence of hunting opportunity in indoor cats is a significant welfare concern. Frustration of predatory motivation contributes to redirected aggression, overgrooming and inappropriate elimination. Environmental enrichment that engages the full prey sequence - including allowing the cat to catch the toy - substantially reduces these problems. Screen toys and self-play toys are insufficient substitutes for interactive play with a person.