Welfare assessment in cats is challenging because cats mask signs of poor health and distress; validated tools help owners and veterinarians identify welfare problems earlier.
Assessing cat welfare requires attentive observation because cats do not communicate distress in obvious ways. A cat in chronic social stress in a multi-cat household may appear externally normal while showing subtler indicators: hiding more, eating less enthusiastically, grooming excessively, or developing urinary problems. The Cat Stress Score provides a systematic framework for observing posture and behaviour that gives a welfare snapshot. Veterinary visits themselves are stressors that can mask welfare problems; cat-friendly practice principles that reduce fear and stress in clinical settings improve the reliability of welfare assessment.