Recommendations for the housing of cats in the home, in catteries and animal shelters, in laboratories and in veterinary surgeries (1999)

Rochlitz, I.

Abstract

This paper reviews the recent research, and presents guidelines on the housing requirements of cats kept in the home, in catteries and animal shelters, in laboratories and in veterinary surgeries. ... Cats are more likely to respond to poor environmental conditions by becoming inactive ... than by actively showing abnormal behaviour. ... Cats use elevated areas as vantage points from which to monitor their surroundings. Enclosures should contain structures that make maximal use of the vertical dimension, such as shelves, climbing frames, platforms, hammocks and raised walkways at various heights. .... Resting areas where cats can retreat to and be concealed, in addition to 'open' resting areas [shelves at different heights] are essential for their well-being. .... Minimum cage sizes permitted for laboratory cats in the UK are also too small. .... Distinguishing between the dimensions of cages for cats according to body weight is unhelpful. ... Those under 3 kg are likely to be kittens or young cats; they will be more active and playful than adults and will require more rather than less space than adult cats who weigh more than 3 kg. .... Cage floor area should be determined per weaned cat, and not according to the weight of the cat.