Companion Animals

Companion Cat Welfare Research 2026

Overview of current cat welfare research priorities and recent advances in the field.

Key Facts

Cat welfare research has expanded significantly as interest in feline science has grown
Positive welfare indicators for cats are being developed including play frequency and purring contexts
Housing quality research is informing design standards for shelters and boarding catteries
Human-cat bond research reveals factors that strengthen attachment and improve welfare for both
Citizen science including cat tracking projects generate large-scale behavioral data

Welfare Considerations

Cat welfare research in 2026 is maturing from crisis intervention to positive welfare promotion. Understanding what allows cats to flourish rather than merely survive is enabling higher quality housing, care, and human-cat relationships.

What You Can Do

Follow and share advances in cat welfare science to build informed advocacy
Support organizations funding and conducting cat welfare research
Participate in citizen science cat research projects where available