Cat behaviour problems including aggression, elimination outside the litter box and destructive behaviour are welfare signals requiring professional assessment rather than punishment or rehoming.
Cat behaviour problem welfare involves both the cat's welfare (experiencing the underlying stress or pain causing the problem) and human welfare (distress at property damage or aggressive behaviour). Treating behaviour problems as discipline failures leads to punishment that worsens welfare for both cat and owner. Treating them as welfare signals - asking what this behaviour tells us about the cat's physical and psychological state - leads to appropriate assessment and effective management. The welfare case for professional behaviour consultation is strong: most common cat problems are addressable with the right expertise, and successful management prevents relinquishment, which is a major welfare disruption for cats.