References
Enrichment for Indoor Cats
Abstract
Cats kept indoors should be provided with various types of enrichment, including resting and hiding places, social interaction, scents, sounds, toys and chasing games. Feeding-based enrichment is often neglected but should be central and can be used for feeding much of the daily ration, if introduced correctly.
Trauma is one of the leading causes of death in cats — with road traffic accident being responsible for 60% of those deaths — and is responsible for nearly half of deaths of cats under the age of 5 years (O'Neill et al, 2015). For this reason, or for the protection of local wildlife, or for other reasons, owners may choose to keep their cat indoors.
It is the responsibility of the owner or keeper to make sure that the indoor cat has the opportunity to fulfil normal behaviours, including access to appropriate sensory stimulations, such as interesting sounds and smells, and the opportunity to exhibit natural behaviours, including appropriate social interaction, choice of resting and hiding places, and the opportunity to engage in hunting behaviours. Owners should be educated about environmental enrichment to achieve these.
Cats should be provided with a range of resting and hiding places, including high-up sites from which they can survey their surroundings. Cardboard boxes make good cat hides.
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