Cats just want to have fun: Associations between play and welfare in domestic cats

Abstract

Play is often considered an indicator and promotor of animal welfare and may facilitate closer cat-human relationships. However, few studies have empirically investigated these associations. The current study aimed to investigate play-related factors associated with four welfare outcome measures in cats (Felis catus) including: cat quality of life; cat-guardian relationship quality; problem behaviour prevalence; and behavioural changes. An online survey was developed using demographic information, questions related to play and resources, free text sections and the following validated measures: cat quality of life (QOL), the cat owner relationship scale, and the adult playfulness trait scale. Responses were completed by 1,591 cat guardians from 55 countries. Higher cat playfulness scores and a greater number of games played were significantly associated with higher cat QOL scores while longer amounts of daily play, greater number of games, both cat and guardian initiating play and higher guardian playfulness scores were all significantly associated with higher cat-guardian relationship scores. Exclusively indoor housing was significantly associated with both higher cat QOL and higher cat-guardian relationships scores compared to cats with outdoor access. Behavioural changes associated with distress in cats were reported when play was absent. Play may be an important factor in assessing and maintaining cat welfare. Further research into the mechanisms of how play impacts welfare and cat-guardian relationships is needed.

Home Sweet Home: The Impact of Lifestyle on a Cat’s Approach to Impossible Tasks in the Home Environment

“…Despite these advantages, many owners limit outdoor access to protect cats from traffic accidents, ingesting poisoned food, wild animals, for fear of losing them or because, in some countries, outdoor cats are killed by law to protect wildlife [ 34 ]. On the other hand, recent research has provided evidence that cats kept exclusively indoors recorded higher scores in quality of life compared to cats with outdoor access, as reported by their owners [ 38 ]. Research in this field provided important information on the factors that affect the well-being of cats but has some limitations due to the different methodologic approaches (e.g., questionnaires or ethological tests) and the testing environments (e.g., shelters or laboratories, cat homes) in which they were performed [ 30 , 33 , 39 ].…”