Keeping cats permanently indoors protects them from outdoor hazards and wildlife, but requires active enrichment provision to meet their behavioural needs — an area where many owners underinvest with significant welfare consequences.
Indoor cat welfare is achievable with appropriate investment in environmental complexity. The five domains of cat welfare — nutrition, environment, health, behaviour, and mental state — all require active attention indoors. A well-enriched indoor environment includes multiple hiding spots, scratching posts, high perches, window access, daily interactive play, and social companionship for social cats. Regular veterinary check-ups are especially important as indoor cats often show subtle illness signs due to sedentary lifestyles.