Dr Rachel Casey BVMS PhD DipECAWVBM CCAB MRCVS
RCVS Recognised and European Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol
Feline Groovy: Environmental Enrichment for Cats
Enrichment for cats• What is enrichment?• Types of enrichment for
cats• Impacts on welfare in
rescue environments • Individual differences in
enrichment needs
What is ‘enrichment’?
Picture credit: Oregon Zoo
Types of enrichment
• Enabling performance of behaviours which create a positive emotional state
• ‘natural’ patterns of behaviour • learnt positive behaviours
Picture credit: Emily Blackwell
Types of enrichment • Enabling performance of behaviours which
reduce a negative emotional state
• ‘natural’ avoidance responses• learnt coping responses
Evaluating enrichment needs in rescue centres
• What is likely to cause stress to cats?
Investigate the effect of changing this aspect of the environment
Ethological ‘needs’
• Social behaviour• Limited complexity of
visual signaling
• Predatory behaviour• Motivation not linked to
satiety
Avoidance of visual contact with other cats
median daily stress scores
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Scent environment
• Communication• Enable avoidance patterns
• Orientation• Enable predictability of
environment
Familiarity of scent• Familiar scent in novel
environment• Scent maintained in
shelter• 2 pieces of bedding
material • Synthetic pheromone?
• F3 ‘Feliway’
Adaptation to a new environment
• Anticipate what is happening when
• Develop some control over environment
• Reduced anxiety over time
Adaptation to a new environment
“Stress”
Time
Normal behavioural responses to perceived threat
• Escape • Hiding• Climbing• Defensive aggression• Freezing
Enabling hiding
Adaptation to a new environment
“Stress”
Time
‘Frustration’• Able to predict routine
and anxiety reduced
• Stimulate new activity• Increased complexity of
environment • Reduce predictability
• Novelty and routine• Enable ‘normal’
behaviours
Individual variability in adaptation
“Stress”
Time
In summary……..• Use of enrichment should be matched to
the requirements of individual cats• Stress after arrival requires interventions to
enable adaptation• Longer term interventions need to increase
interest in environment and reduce chance of frustration
Thanks for your attention!
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