Play behavior in cats is a positive welfare indicator and an essential daily welfare need, and its absence may signal negative emotional states including fear, pain, or boredom.
Cat play behavior serves dual welfare functions: it is both a welfare need (satisfying predatory behavioral drives) and a welfare indicator (its presence signals positive emotional states). Cats that play actively, engage interactively with toys and owners, and seek play opportunities are demonstrating positive welfare. Cats that have stopped playing — or who never played despite kittenhood — warrant welfare investigation for underlying pain, fear, or chronic stress. Daily interactive play sessions are among the highest-return welfare investments available to cat owners, providing behavioral enrichment, physical exercise, human-cat bonding, and positive emotional engagement simultaneously.