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https://theconversation.com/wont-my-cat-get-bored-if-i-keep-it-inside-heres-how-to-ensure-its-happy-214562>
"The Australian and American Veterinary Medical Associations recommend keeping
cats indoors because they, and wildlife, will be safer.
However, a boring indoor environment may not meet a cat’s need for mental
stimulation. So how can we keep cats indoors in a way that will keep them safe
and happy?
When considering animal welfare, the Five Domains Model is a good place to
start. The five domains are:
1. nutrition – cats need the right type and amounts of food and water
2. physical environment, including temperature, flooring, noise, light
3. health – injury, disease, impairment
4. behavioural interactions with people and other animals, which includes the
ability to exercise agency – choosing to engage, or not, in a particular
activity at a given moment
5. mental state, including feelings such as hunger, pain, fear and comfort,
which is an overall assessment of the animal’s subjective welfare state.
Keeping a cat indoors denies it the choice of being inside or outside. The
sense of control an animal has over its life is an important aspect of its
welfare, so how can we compensate for this loss of agency?
Several ways to help meet your cat’s needs are available at various price
points. Most help meet the cat’s behavioural needs. Some also touch on other
needs like environment or nutrition. All will contribute to your cat’s
wellbeing."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
