2026 has seen meaningful advances in feline welfare science across pain assessment, enrichment research, and disease management. This progress review summarises key developments with welfare implications.
2026 feline welfare science progress reflects the growing recognition of cat welfare as a serious research and clinical priority. Improved pain assessment tools, better enrichment research, expanded FIP treatment access, and improved diagnostic tool adoption all translate into welfare improvements for individual cats. Sustaining this research momentum requires continued funding and translation of findings into clinical practice.