Keeping cats indoors protects wildlife and extends cat lifespans, but indoor cats require deliberate enrichment to meet their behavioral needs and prevent welfare problems from boredom and frustration.
Indoor confinement is the right welfare decision from a lifespan and safety perspective, but it creates welfare obligations. Cats denied appropriate outlets for hunting, climbing, and territorial patrolling develop problem behaviors that reflect genuine needs going unmet. Enrichment is not optional for indoor cats — it is essential. Rotating toys, puzzle feeders, window perches, vertical space, interactive play sessions, and in some cases cat-proofed outdoor access all improve welfare for cats who cannot roam freely.