Companion Animals

Companion Animal Welfare and Feline Welfare Indicators 2026

Validated feline welfare indicators enable systematic welfare assessment in veterinary practices, shelters, and research settings.

Key Facts

Positive feline welfare indicators include play, exploration, comfortable resting positions, and social approach
Negative welfare indicators include hiding, reduced grooming, reduced appetite, and aggression
The Cat Stress Score provides a validated measure of acute stress in clinical settings
Five Domains assessment frameworks adapted for cats enable comprehensive welfare evaluation
Quality of life scales including those for specific diseases enable owner-vet welfare conversations

Welfare Considerations

Feline welfare indicators enable assessment beyond clinical disease to overall wellbeing. Using validated indicators in veterinary practice and home monitoring improves welfare recognition.

What You Can Do

Learn to recognise positive and negative feline welfare indicators
Use quality of life scales for cats with chronic disease
Advocate for welfare assessment as a routine component of veterinary cat consultations