AAFP and ISFM feline environmental needs guidelines

<p>Guidelines rationale: A cat’s level of comfort with its environment is intrinsically linked toits physical health, emotional wellbeing and behavior. Having a basic understanding of thecat’s species-specific environmental needs and how cats interact with their environment willprovide a foundation for addressing these fundamental requirements.Environmental needs: Addressing environmental needs is essential (not optional) foroptimum wellbeing of the cat. Environmental needs include those relating not only to the cat’sphysical surroundings (indoors or outdoors; in the home environment or at the veterinary practice)but also those affecting social interaction, including responses to human contact.Five ‘pillars’ framework: The authorship panel has organized the Guidelines around five primary concepts(‘pillars’) that provide the framework for a healthy feline environment. Understanding these principlesand the unique environmental needs of the cat will help veterinarians, cat owners and care-givers to reducestress, the incidence of stress-related disorders, and unwanted behavior in their feline patients and pets.The recommendations in the Guidelines apply to all pet cats, regardless of lifestyle.</p>