Animal Sciences

ag.purdue.edu.ansc
AS-675-W

Animal Well-being

Exotic Feline Enrichment

Tips For Keeping Captive Cats

Authors: With more exotic cats in captivity than in Cats in the Wild
Emily Furlong the wild, it is more important than ever to Exotic cats can be found across
Undergraduate Student provide for their welfare. Animal welfare the world in jungles, savannas, and
refers to an animal’s ability to cope with rainforests. The tiger (Panthera tigris)
its environment and living conditions. is Asia’s largest apex predator and can
Brianna Gaskill
Living conditions of captive felids vary also be found in parts of India and Russia
Associate Professor
greatly; whether at a zoo, rescue, or (Dinerstein et al., 2007). The African
sanctuary, enrichment is necessary to lion (Panthera leo leo) is known as “the
Marisa Erasmus
keep these frisky felines content and king of the jungle” across Africa; despite
Assistant Professor
healthy. The purpose of this publication this title, lions primarily live in savanna
is to provide background information and scrub habitats. Leopards (Panthera
Department of about felids, define and identify common
Animal Sciences pardus) naturally live in both of these
stereotypic behaviors of captive felids, ranges, spanning across parts of Africa
Purdue University and discuss various forms of enrichment and Asia. The most common wild cats in
that can be used to help care for the the United States include the mountain
welfare of captive felids. lion (Puma concolor) and the bobcat
(Lynx rufus).

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There are 36 species of carnivorous cats that live all have a dysfunction in the same area of the brain as
over the world, and they have one thing in common – humans with psychiatric disorders such as obsessive
wild cats have large home ranges (Miller and Fowler, compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia (Garner
2015). The natural home range for an African lion is et al., 2006). Stereotypic behaviors in animals fall into
approximately 10-14 square miles (Tuqa et al., 2014). several categories, two of which are commonly seen
In the wild, cats spend a large portion of their day in captive felids: oral and locomotor stereotypies. As
roaming their territory in search of food. In a captive their names suggest, oral stereotypies involve repetitive
setting, however, they often don’t have enough space movements with the mouth; locomotor stereotypies
to perform these daily activities, and food is readily involve movement. These behaviors may be a result of
available. It is impossible for many places, such as zoos an inadequate environment and (Mason and Rushen,
and sanctuaries, to provide an area of this size for their 2008) are often seen under conditions that:
captive felids. Some research has shown that when
housed in captivity (Clubb and Mason, 2007), animals • Lack stimulation or critical resources
with large home ranges are more likely to develop an • Impose social isolation for social species
abnormal behavior called a stereotypy. • Are restrictive

Key Word Definition • Induce fear or frustration

While stereotypic behaviors are often found in poor
The area in which an animal, in
environments, behaviors differ between individuals,
its native habitat, regularly travels
Home range species and contexts. Because of this, it is hard to
looking for food sources or potential
understand the effects of stereotypies on animal welfare.
mates.
The expression of stereotypies is not always an indicator
An abnormal, repetitive behavior that an individual’s current environment is poor or
Stereotypic that is induced by frustration, lacking. Stereotypic behaviors may persist in individuals
behavior/ repeated attempts to cope with the that were previously kept in poor conditions, so even
stereotypies environment, and/or dysfunction of though an animal is currently displaying stereotypic
the central nervous system. behavior, this does not mean the animal is currently in
Oral A stereotypic behavior involving the a poor state of welfare (Mason and Rushen, 2008). It is
stereotypies mouth. often referred to as a “behavioral scar”.

Locomotor A stereotypic behavior involving Identifying Stereotypies

stereotypies motion and movement.
Common stereotypic behaviors have been identified in
Anything that enhances an felids (Wooster, 1997). These behaviors include:
environment, making it more
Enrichment • Pacing – moving back and forth in a consistent pattern
complex and that provides an outlet
for species specific behavior • Head twisting and bobbing – tilting head side to side
or bobbing in a repetitive pattern
The state of an animal in relation
Animal to its ability to cope with its Other abnormal behaviors that occur in felids include:
welfare environment; the animal’s quality of
• Excessive grooming – licking the body more frequently
life
than normal, sometimes resulting in fur discoloration
or loss
What are stereotypies?
• Toe and tail sucking – placing the tip of the tail or toes
Stereotypic behaviors, also known as stereotypies,
in the mouth for a prolonged period of time
are abnormal, repetitive and unvarying behaviors
that appear to have no function (Mason and Rushen, • Fur plucking – removal of fur by the mouth, often
2008). These typically develop when animals are not resulting in patches of hair loss
able to express highly motivated behaviors. If these
behaviors become established, animals may also

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Types of Enrichment
Feeding Methods
Felids are known for their strategic hunting abilities.
While it might be easy for keepers to place processed
(cleaned, butchered) food in the same spot every day,
it does not provide much stimulation for the animals.
Food-based enrichment allows cats to channel their
natural hunting instincts. There are many ways to
provide food-based enrichment. Rather than boneless
cuts of meat, use whole or partial carcasses or other
food items that include bone. Presented with a carcass,
cats have the opportunity to practice some aspects of
their natural hunting behaviors, including the removal
of fur or feathers (Szokalska et al., 2012). All of these
behaviors are naturally displayed in the wild leading
Environmental Enrichment up to and during feeding. Giving captive animals
Two important criteria are associated with opportunities to display these behaviors can improve
environmental enrichment: 1) the enrichment must be their overall welfare.
meaningful to the animal; and 2) the enrichment must
improve the complexity of the environment, not just
change it (Newberry, 1995). The Association of Zoos and
Aquariums (AZA) defines environmental enrichment as
a “dynamic process for enhancing animal environments
within the context of the animals’ behavioral biology and
natural history.”
One method for applying and assessing enrichment is
referred to as the SPIDER method. This method consists
of Setting goals, Planning, Implementing, Documenting,
Evaluating, and Readjusting (Mellen and MacPhee,
2001). By using this technique, it is possible to identify
goals for enrichment and assess the enrichment’s
efficacy. Among the many goals and purposes for using
environmental enrichment (Young, 2003) are to:
Another suggestion includes regularly rotating where
• Increase diversity of behaviors and when food is placed. As a keeper, it is easy to get
• Increase the range of normal behaviors into the habit of leaving food in the same place. This
routine might be easy for the keeper but can become
• Increase positive environmental utilization very unstimulating for the cats. They no longer have to
• Increase the ability to cope with challenges work to find their food, suppressing their natural hunting
instincts. By placing their food in different locations or
• Reduce abnormal behaviors
offering food at different times, cats have an opportunity
An enriched environment is easier for animals to cope to actively search for their food. This in particular may
with and often reduces stress in exotic felines (Philips et be helpful in reducing the motivations that lead to the
al., 2017). Provided with a more complex and engaging development of pacing stereotypies.
environment, animals have opportunities to perform
Puzzle feeders are a very common form of enrichment
some of their natural instincts and behaviors.
across different species of animals. Puzzle feeders need
to withstand being tossed around by a lion, but they
can serve as a great form of enrichment. One option to
consider is to place food in a cardboard box (Szokalski
et al., 2012). Another option is to cut holes into various
items, such as barrels, and place food inside.

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Olfactory Methods Enclosure Enhancements

Olfactory-inspired enrichment has been found to The purpose of providing enrichments is to enhance the
enhance the environment for many species, ranging environment of an animal. Environmental enhancements
from captive African lions (Powell, 1995) to the smaller can serve as an excellent form of enrichment. By
black-footed cat (Wells and Egli, 2004). One method manipulating an animal’s enclosure, resources and
of olfactory enrichment for cats is spreading different opportunities similar to what might be experienced
scents throughout the animal’s enclosure. This can in the wild can be provided. Examples include
include catnip, cooking spices, and even perfumes and opportunities for scratching, hiding, marking, and
colognes, or urine from prey species. The new scents regulating their body temperature by seeking out cooler
mentally stimulate the animal and can even promote or warmer areas.
natural scent marking behaviors. Beware that essential
We know that house cats spend plenty of time on cat
oils should not be used for this purpose, as they can
towers and shelves, where they can be up high and take
cause adverse reactions in cats (Genovese et al., 2012).
in their surroundings. This behavior is naturally found
in wild cats as well. Leopards in the wild commonly use
Toys trees for resting and as a spot to hide their captured prey
Toys keep animals active while providing mental from other predators (Prater, 1971). Providing a vertical
stimulation and promoting species-typical behavior, structure allows cats to practice natural behaviors while
such as pouncing, hunting, and chasing. For small providing additional space and a new angle from which
cats, a simple tennis ball can serve as a form of to view their territory.
enrichment. For larger cats, something sturdier is
necessary. Boomer Ball (Grayslake, Illinois, USA) is a
company that specializes in producing large plastic balls
specifically for enriching animals. Though they are not
indestructible, the balls are made of sturdy plastic

Contrary to popular belief, not all cats despise water.

When provided a water source, many cats will take
advantage of the opportunity to go for a swim. These
water sources can come in the form of concrete pools,
ponds, and even large water troughs. Not only is it a
great way to cool off on a hot day, but swimming is a
form of exercise that puts very little stress on joints.

that can withstand years of heavy use. Large plastic Conclusion

barrels can serve the same purpose. Both of these Scientific research has demonstrated that enrichment
sources of enrichment promote many natural hunting can reduce stereotypic behaviors by 50-60% in some
behaviors and improve an individual’s physical condition. species, including carnivores and primates (Quirke
Artificial prey toys have proven successful. The San et al., 2012). Many zoological institutions recommend
Francisco Zoo introduced artificial prey to their resident that enrichment should be an essential part of a zoo’s
servals by passing a fake, stuffed rodent through a everyday routine. To best provide for the animals without
clear plastic tube, supported by a stump on either end. infringing on the time of keepers and staff, it is important
They encouraged the servals to search for the artificial to ensure that there is a good variety, quantity, and
rodent by playing prey sounds near the stumps, where frequency of effective enrichment items available for
the rodent would enter and exit the tube. The zoo found implementation (Hoy et al., 2010). Enrichment provides
that the artificial prey toy encouraged a wide range of many benefits to captive animals, and it can benefit
behaviors, including pouncing, chasing, and foraging zoos, too. Enriching the environment of the felids
(Markowitz and LaForse, 1987). While the design of encourages natural behaviors that exist beyond the
the artificial prey toy is simple, the outcome includes a normal baseline behaviors typically seen, providing
dynamic range of big-cat behaviors. excitement for visitors and guests (Markowitz and
Laforse, 1987).

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More Information Mason, G., R. Clubb. Stereotypic animal behavior:

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5 March 2021