Indoor cats require thoughtful environmental enrichment to fulfill behavioral needs that outdoor access would otherwise provide. Science-based enrichment prevents boredom and related welfare problems.
Indoor housing creates a welfare obligation to provide the behavioral opportunities that the natural environment would otherwise supply. Cats are highly motivated hunters with strong needs for prey-like stimulation, territory, and vertical space. Indoor environments that fail to meet these needs create welfare deficits expressed through boredom behaviors, anxiety, and reduced quality of life. Comprehensive indoor enrichment programs that address foraging, hunting, social, olfactory, and spatial needs maintain welfare equivalent to outdoor environments without the mortality and conservation risks associated with outdoor access. Enrichment requires regular rotation and renewal to maintain novelty and engagement.