Food, water and a cat flap aren’t enough: Expert’s warning as rescue centres face cat crisis
Cats are being let down by the belief that a bowl of food, fresh water and a cat flap are all they need to thrive, a cat care specialist has warned.
Katie Gwilt, founder of holistic cat care business The Kat Lady, says cats have complex needs that are too often overlooked because of their reputation for independence.
Her warning comes as the RSPCA faces a “cat crisis”, with around 20,000 cats entering its care last year and fears that figure will be exceeded this year.
The charity now has more cats in its care than dogs, with animals arriving faster than they can be rehomed.
Katie said: “You cannot simply give a cat access to food, water and a cat flap and assume they will be fine. Those things alone do not meet their complex physical, emotional and behavioural needs.
“Cats need opportunities to explore, climb, scratch, hide, play and express their natural behaviours. They also need positive interaction with people, on their own terms, and somewhere they feel secure.
“Their reputation for independence can lead people to underestimate how much thought and care goes into giving them a good life.”
Katie says enrichment should be part of everyday care, with activities and spaces suited to each cat’s age, health and personality.
She said: “Enrichment doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. A cardboard box can provide a hiding place, a suitable perch can offer somewhere to watch the world, and short games with a wand toy can give cats opportunities to stalk, chase and pounce.
“Scratching posts and surfaces, safe climbing spaces, puzzle feeders and rotating toys can all help make their environment more interesting. Always supervise string toys and put them away after play.
“They also need comfortable resting places and quiet areas where they can retreat without being disturbed. In homes with more than one cat, each needs access to resources such as food, water, litter trays and resting spots without having to compete.
“What suits one cat may not suit another. An older cat might need easily accessible resting places and gentle play, while a younger cat may want more opportunities to climb and chase. The important thing is to notice what your individual cat enjoys.”
The RSPCA is taking in an average of 624 cats every month across its 14 national centres and private boarding establishments alone. That figure excludes cats entering its independent local branch network.
Recent rescues include three frightened kittens abandoned in a crate in a Birmingham church car park. They were underweight, riddled with fleas and suffering from cat flu.
