Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Environmental Enrichment Science

Environmental enrichment for cats is backed by growing scientific evidence. Understanding what cats need and how to provide it improves welfare and reduces problem behaviours.

Key Facts

Indoor cats have significantly restricted opportunities for natural behaviour
Enrichment reduces stress-related behaviours including over-grooming and aggression
Prey-sequence play - stalk, pounce, catch, kill, eat - is essential for cats
Puzzle feeders engage foraging behaviour and mental stimulation
Vertical space, hiding places, and scratching posts address core cat needs

Welfare Considerations

Environmental enrichment is low-cost, evidence-based, and significantly improves feline welfare. Most indoor cats live in environments that fail to meet their behavioural needs, and this gap is highly addressable.

What You Can Do

Provide daily interactive play sessions using prey-sequence toys
Offer puzzle feeders to engage foraging behaviour
Install cat trees, shelves, and hiding spaces
Rotate enrichment items to maintain novelty and engagement