Recommendations for cat care, developed by Sarah Ellis from the University of Lincoln along with colleagues from the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the International Society of Feline Medicine, published in 2013 in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, remain relevant to this day. The developers proposed a science-based approach to enriching the animals' living environment, which noticeably reduces their stress and improves emotional well-being. The study summarized evidence on the impact of environment, sensory stimuli, toys, social interactions, and feeding methods on the behavior and health of animals, especially those living in confined spaces.
Many owners consider cats to be undemanding pets. However, without taking into account their natural needs—for space control, hunting, and solitude—animals develop behavioral and health problems. Simple yet mindful changes at home help prevent many difficulties, from stress to destructive behavior.
Physical Environment: Vertical structures such as shelves, cat trees, and hidden shelters. They allow cats to regulate their level of contact with people and other animals by observing events from a safe place. Such shelters reduce stress levels by giving the animal an opportunity to hide and simultaneously control the territory—natural behavior for a species that prefers to have several “escape routes.”
Sensory Enrichment: Access to windows, videos of birds and rodents, as well as various scents—catnip, lavender, and synthetic pheromones like Feliway. These stimuli activate natural responses and help cats cope with confined apartment spaces. Toys that imitate the movements of prey—rubber bands on strings or fishing rod toys—develop hunting skills but require regular rotation so that interest does not wane and the animal remains engaged.
Social Environment: Cats get along better with their own kind, especially if they are related and were socialized at an early age. Interaction with humans is also beneficial, especially for cats accustomed to people from childhood, but the quality and duration of contact matter—not all cats equally enjoy touch and petting.
Feeding Methods: Switching from regular bowls to puzzle feeders, scattering food in different places, or more frequent meals stimulates exploratory behavior, reduces boredom, and helps combat excess weight.
The authors of the recommendations note the need to consider the individual characteristics of each cat. Active and easily frustrated animals need intensive play and visual stimulation, while anxious and fearful ones need additional shelters, elevated places, and synthetic pheromones. An important observation: passive behavior does not always mean comfort. Sometimes, silence and immobility hide underlying stress, which may later manifest as behavioral or health problems.
These recommendations are particularly relevant for urban cats with limited outdoor access. Owners who implement such strategies report calm pet behavior and fewer health problems. The study confirms that attention to cats' natural needs transforms a regular home into an environment that supports their emotional balance and well-being in the long term.
