AVA Conference Melbourne 2017

Living environment has a direct impact on cat experiences and learning.  It can then modulate the expression of genetic material and affect behavioural development.
Limited data exists on behaviour repertoire of domestic cat but indoor environment can make it difficult for them to express their entire range of behavioural sequences such as hunting, eating, resting, grooming and roaming.
Inadequate environment or lack of stimulation provoked by confinement in a restricted environment might induce a significant stress that could lead to many behavioural and physical issues in domestic cats.
The negative emotional state, triggered by an inadequate environment, could be different according to cat’s personality. Whether the emotion is frustration, anxiety or fear, the response can be separated in two different coping strategies: Active responders and passive responders. 
The veterinary practitioner will learn how to recognize the animal’s personality and adapt the environmental enrichment plan and recommendations to one of these two strategies in order to prevent possible aggression, urine marking, house soiling, over-grooming or self-mutilation and physical problem such as FLUTD.