Enrichment (Feline)

Although the popular media often depicts cats as preferring to live pampered and sedimentary lives, in reality the cat as a species is a highly specialized predator with complex social needs. Household cats, particularly those living indoors, can benefit from enrichment including scheduled, structured opportunities for interactive play. In addition, arranging a cat's environment to provide adequate rest and retreat areas and proper placement of food and elimination areas can circumvent behavior and health disorders.

Common name: Feline Enrichment
Scientific name: Feline Enrichment

Diagnosis

Signalment
Both anecdotal and survey-based reports suggest that certain breeds of cats, such as the Siamese, are more playful and active than other breeds, but beyond this indirect measure there are no data to support that activity enrichment may benefit a certain breed or class of cats more than another. In regard to age or stage of development, although no specific age or period of enrichment has been identified, cats (and owners) will benefit most from enrichment begun while the cat is a kitten and continued into adulthood. In addition, all cats are in need of species conducive environmental structuring.

Incidence/prevalence
All cats can benefit from enrichment opportunities.

Geographic distribution
Geographic location does not affect enrichment needs.

Clinical signs (primary, most to least frequent, scientific term, synonyms from inadequate enrichment)
Inactive (no play), Unkept coat (lack of grooming), Inappropriate urination (not using litterbox).

Clinical signs (secondary, most to least frequent, scientific term, synonyms from inadequate enrichment)
Excessive vocalization, destructive, socially disruptive.

Cause (scientific, common term)
Inadequate enrichment.

Organ system affected
Lack of normal behavior.

Diagnostic tests
In-home behavioral evaluation by a professional.

Differential Diagnosis
A sudden or progressive decline in activity and/or an inhibition of normal play, grooming, feeding or elimination behaviors may indicate a medical or other behavioral problem.

Excessive play solicitation or apparent pseudo-aggression may actually be situation-specific aggression and may not be reduced or otherwise affected by activity enrichment.

Redirected aggression. Cats that are generally friendly and playful with their owners and other people and pets in the home may suddenly display overt aggression toward any person or pet. This abrupt aggression is predicated by equally abrupt arousal (i.e., ears back, piloerection, full height or arched body posture, vocalization), and is often in response to the sight or scent of a cat or other animal outdoors or the scent of an unfamiliar cat on clothing. The aggression is offensive and uninhibited, and directed at the unfortunate person or pet most proximate to the cat.

Defensive aggression. Some cats react with defensive aggression when approached in play or affection solicitation by owners or pets. Defensive responding can be differentiated from excessive or rough play by the appearance of low posturing, flattened ears and constriction of the head back toward the shoulders, attempts to withdraw from the eliciting or evoking stimulus, and deep vocalizations.

Overview

Although the top reasons for relinquishment of cats to animal shelters are change in owner circumstance and development of allergies, behavioral problems do account for a significant percentage of relinquishments and owner-expressed dissatisfaction. Quite often these behavior problems are avoidable through proper care and management of pet cat behavior. For instance, feral and free-ranging cats maintain large territories that can include such diverse terrain as forest areas, farmland, gardens and urban buildings. Given a choice, cats remain relatively autonomous from one another and avoid interaction with other cats. To accommodate this predisposition, household cats—particularly cats living in multi-cat homes—should be provided numerous elevated perches and positions that allow surveillance of their favorite territories, and they should have easy access to escape routes connecting rooms that include sheltered routes behind furniture and cupboard spaces. Research indicates that cats are unlikely to respond to poor conditions with overt abnormal behavior, but instead may respond by becoming inactive or by inhibiting normal behaviors such as play, grooming, feeding and elimination responses. Activity enrichment is particularly indicated in cats expressing excessive play solicitation and vocalization, and those that may be destructive in the home or disruptive to their owners while they are trying to sleep or eat, etc.

Treatment

Home Care
Schedule stimulating play opportunities that allow the cat virtual hunt and prey/stalk experiences. Cats will have preferences as to toy type, and the cat should be allowed to show its preference. Selections should include those that can be manipulated by the cat itself and those that require owner participation (toys that wiggle and dangle from sticks). Periodic introduction of new toys or recycling of toys will help insure that the cat retains an interest in play. Play periods should last until the cat engages in watching the toy more than in chase or interaction with the toy.

Play is best scheduled just before meals and, to reduce nocturnal behavior, just before owner bedtime.

Provide additional stimulation opportunities by leaving out open cardboard boxes, paper shopping bags and crumpled packing paper. Many cats are fascinated by dripping water taps, fish aquariums and commercially available “cat videos.” Popular videos for cats contain close-ups of birds and small rodents.

Position bird feeders outside windows where the cat can observe animals coming and going during the day. Apartment dwellers can benefit from bird feeders attached directly to the outside of windows.

Provide several small meals per day rather than one or two large meals, and schedule meals to follow play opportunities. Feeding following play can induce sleep and can therefore schedule sleep and wake periods.

Keep elimination and feeding areas segregated.

Provide scratching posts near sleeping areas. Do not change scratching posts when there is evidence of shredding of post covering—many cats prefer shredded scratching substrates to smooth substrates.

Provide numerous perching areas at chair-back height or above.

Professional Care
Lack of enrichment can effect a decline in general maintenance behavior in a cat. However, any change in routine behavior such as sudden or progressive declines in normal grooming, elimination, play and interactive behavior should be taken first and foremost as an indication of a medical condition. The first step should be to take the cat to a veterinarian to rule out any acute or chronic disease or other physiological condition. Consultation with a professional animal behaviorist can provide additional information on enrichment specific to individual circumstances.

Action
Attention to normal feline behavior and enrichment designed to accommodate and promote such behavior will improve the general welfare of the cat.

Outcome
Scheduled enrichment can enhance any cat's life and will often concurrently increase a cat owner's enjoyment of their cat.

Recommended Treatment
Enrichment includes in-home activities and environmental changes that can enhance your cat's life and expand and strengthen your relation.

References/Additional Readings
Rochlitz, I. Recommendations for the housing of cats in the home, in catteries and animal shelters, in laboratories and in veterinary surgeries. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 1999; 1, 181-191.

Turner, D.C., & Bateson, P. The domestic cat: The biology of its behavior. UK: Cambridge University Press, 2000; 207-226.

Voith, V. L. & Borchelt, P. L. Social behavior of domestic cats. Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian. 1986; 8, 637-45.

Author
Jennifer Sobie, PhD
Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist

Editor
Steven Hansen, DVM, MS, MBA, DABVT, DABT