New Feline Veterinary Medical Association Position Statement Reimagines Life for Indoor Cats
Download the full FelineVMA “Meeting the Physical and Emotional Needs of Indoor Cats” Position Statement.
The Feline Veterinary Medical Association has released a Position Statement about how to meet the physical and emotional needs of indoor cats.
BRANCHBURG, NJ, UNITED STATES, August 28, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Position Statement educates feline caregivers and veterinary practices on how to meet the needs of multi-cat households
The Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA), the trusted leader in feline health and wellbeing for the veterinary community and cat caregivers, has released a Position Statement about how to meet the physical and emotional needs of indoor cats.
Originally published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, “Meeting the Physical and Emotional Needs of Indoor Cats” outlines a comprehensive framework to support the wellbeing of cats living exclusively indoors. While indoor living reduces exposure to many physical dangers, the statement emphasizes that safety alone is not enough — emotional and behavioral needs must be prioritized equally.
Meeting the essential environmental needs of each cat will reduce their distress and the likelihood of behavioral disorders and stress-related medical issues. Central to a cat’s needs are five essential pillars:
1. Provide a safe place
2. Provide multiple and separated key environmental resources
3. Provide opportunity for play and predatory behavior
4. Provide positive, consistent, and predictable human-cat social interaction
5. Provide an environment that respects the cat’s sense of smell and other senses
The Position Statement serves as a resource for veterinarians to guide client conversations, behavior consultations, and environmental enrichment plans. For cat caregivers, it offers an accessible way to evaluate whether their indoor cat’s needs are truly being met.
“Indoor-only cats are often assumed to be the safest, but it is more challenging to meet their needs, impacting their physical and emotional health and resulting in more caregiver concerns about behavior,” said Ilona Rodan, DVM, DABVP (Feline), AdvCertFB, Chair of the FelineVMA Feline Welfare Committee. “This Position Statement helps caregivers and veterinary practices recognize the essential daily needs of cats who are often physically and emotionally underserved.”
Download the full FelineVMA “Meeting the Physical and Emotional Needs of Indoor Cats” Position Statement.
Jeff Pane
Feline Veterinary Medical Association
+1 908-359-1184
email us here
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