When true outdoor access is not safe or feasible, indoor cats can be provided meaningful outdoor-equivalent enrichment through structured alternatives.
Cats denied outdoor access need active provision of outdoor-equivalent experiences to maintain behavioral welfare. This is not about providing a substitute that deceives cats about their situation but about providing the sensory, cognitive, and physical stimulation that outdoor access normally provides. A cat with window access, a catio, regular play, varied scent enrichment, and interactive toys has a richer behavioral life than one with unfettered outdoor access but an empty home. The quality of indoor enrichment determines whether indoor living supports or compromises feline welfare.