Indoor cats need structured environmental enrichment to meet behavioral needs and prevent boredom-associated problems that compromise welfare in confined living spaces.
Indoor cats have extended lifespans compared to outdoor cats, but the confined indoor environment poses its own welfare challenges by restricting the behavioral repertoire that cats evolved to express. Indoor cats denied appropriate enrichment develop stress-related conditions including idiopathic cystitis, overgrooming, and redirected aggression. The hunting motivation that drives outdoor behavior persists in indoor cats and requires appropriate outlets through interactive play and puzzle feeding. Environmental complexity - climbing structures, hiding spots, elevated perches, and novel objects - addresses exploratory needs that barren indoor environments frustrate. The welfare goal for indoor cats is not simply safety from outdoor hazards but positive engagement with a rich, stimulating environment that meets their behavioral needs and supports positive emotional states.