The evidence base for feline behavioral enrichment, including what types of enrichment are most effective and how to implement them.
Cat behavioral enrichment science has moved from intuition to evidence in the past decade, providing a clearer framework for what types of enrichment actually improve welfare versus what cats tolerate but do not benefit from. The central finding is that predatory engagement through interactive play is uniquely valuable — it engages the strongest behavioral motivation system and produces the clearest positive welfare responses. Environmental complexity, social choice, and cognitive challenge through foraging complement predatory play in building a comprehensive enrichment program. The evidence consistently shows that enrichment quality and variation matter more than quantity — a few well-designed activities implemented consistently outperform a room full of ignored toys.