Indoor cats kept in properly enriched environments live longer, healthier lives with better psychological welfare than those with unsupervised outdoor access.
Creating an enriched indoor environment for cats can meet their welfare needs while protecting both their safety and local wildlife. Cats are territorial animals who need perceived ownership of vertical and horizontal space. They are predators who need hunting behavior outlets even if they never encounter real prey. They are social animals whose social needs vary widely by individual. An enriched indoor environment addresses all these needs through cat trees, shelving, window access with bird feeders outside, puzzle feeders, regular interactive play sessions with wand toys, and appropriate social interaction. Many cat welfare problems including obesity, aggression, and anxiety can be addressed by improving environmental enrichment.