Indoor cats face significant welfare challenges from environmental restriction. Evidence-based enrichment strategies that address cats' hunting, climbing, hiding, and social needs can transform the quality of life for the millions of cats kept exclusively indoors.
Indoor restriction without adequate enrichment creates chronic frustration for cats whose natural behaviour is diverse, active, and spatially complex. The solution is not to simply allow outdoor access - indoor environments can be made genuinely enriching through vertical space, hunting opportunities, hiding places, and novel experiences. Understanding cats as active hunters rather than passive companions transforms the design of indoor environments. Investment in enrichment reduces veterinary costs from stress-related illness and behaviour problems.