It's not only shelter cats who experience environmental stress. Pet cats, too, are often bored, under-exercised, or deprived of social or mental stimulation — a lack that can lead to behavior problems that could result in the cat being surrendered to a shelter.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) have come together to provide guidelines for veterinarians and pet owners concerned about providing enrichment to pet cats and avoiding the development of behavior problems.

This set of tips includes simple changes owners can make to increase a cats' sense of safety, mimic hunting behavior, decrease stress in multi-pet households and more.

The complete guidelines can be found in the citation below:

Ellis SL, Rodan I, Carney HC, et al. AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines. J Fel Med Surg 2013;15:219-230.