Regulatory Strategies of Cats in the Home Environment

Pilot Survey of the International Felinotherapy Association (IFA)

Pilot data from observations of 28 cats indicate that a cat’s psychological well-being is closely linked to the possibility to regulate distance from stimuli, discharge motor activation, access food, and engage in play and exploration.

If the environment does not provide these opportunities, the natural regulatory repertoire of the cat becomes restricted.

These findings have direct implications not only for everyday human–cat coexistence but also for felinotherapy, where the psychological stability of the animal is a key prerequisite for safe interaction with people.

The International Felinotherapy Association (IFA) therefore initiated a pilot survey focused on neuroregulatory strategies of cats in the home environment.

The survey is based on the integration of several theoretical frameworks:

• the SIBAM model (Sensation – Image – Behavior – Affect – Meaning)

• Polyvagal Theory

• the concept of primary affective systems (Panksepp)

These approaches make it possible to observe cat behaviour as part of nervous system regulation in interaction with the environment.

Methodology

Data were collected using an online questionnaire created in Google Forms.

The questionnaire focuses primarily on:

• regulatory strategies during stress

• behaviour in a state of well-being

• warning signals preceding aggression

• interaction between the cat and the environment.

Respondents completed the questionnaire for a specific cat.

The methodological and technical preparation of the questionnaire, the structure of data collection, and the analytical interpretation of results were supported by artificial intelligence (AI).

Pilot Sample

The pilot sample includes 28 cats from five households.

Age distribution

• 7–12 months: 17.9 %

• 1–3 years: 28.6 %

• 4–7 years: 17.9 %

• 8 years and older: 35.7 %

Social environment

100 % of the cats live in multi-cat households, which may influence social co-regulation between animals.

Regulation During Stress

Pilot data show several prominent regulatory strategies.

Distance regulation

96.4 % of cats respond to stress by moving away to a safe place or increasing distance from the stimulus.

This strategy confirms a fundamental ethological principle:

a cat must be able to regulate its distance from a situation.

Motor regulation

71.4 % of cats use scratching (carpet or horizontal scratching surface) when coping with stress.

Scratching likely represents motor discharge of increased nervous system activation.

Orienting reflex

89.3 % of cats respond to stress or uncertainty by observing the environment.

The orienting reflex allows:

• environmental control

• reduction of uncertainty

• stabilization of the nervous system.

Without orienting behaviour, the system of social interaction is usually not activated.

Behaviour in a State of Well-Being

The most common behaviours associated with well-being are:

• 89.3 % of cats spontaneously eat food

• 85.7 % rest or sleep

• 85.7 % observe the environment

• 82.1 % engage in play

• 78.6 % manipulate objects in the environment

These activities correspond to activation of the SEEKING system (Panksepp).

Food Intake as an Indicator of Welfare

The fact that 89.3 % of cats eat when in a state of well-being may serve as a simple indicator of their psychological comfort.

Spontaneous food intake may primarily activate the SEEKING system, but it may also be associated with a sense of safety and social regulation. In some situations this state may involve activation of the affiliative CARE system, especially when food is consumed in a calm social context.

If a cat spontaneously eats in a felinotherapy environment, it is likely that the situation is not perceived as threatening.

Warning Signals Before Aggression

Pilot data show that:

96.4 % of cats do not display aggressive behaviour without prior warning.

Cats typically show warning signals, such as:

• hissing

• growling

• changes in posture

• head turning away

• increasing distance.

For safe interaction with cats, it is therefore essential to monitor warning behaviours, not only aggression itself.

Four Pillars of the Cat’s Regulatory Landscape

The results of the pilot survey suggest four basic conditions supporting regulation of the cat’s nervous system:

Space – the possibility to withdraw or hide
Movement – the possibility to discharge tension (e.g. scratching)
Food – the possibility to eat safely
Play and exploration – the possibility of active engagement with the environment

Together, these factors form the cat’s regulatory landscape.

Implications for Felinotherapy Practice

The environment used for felinotherapy should allow:

• safe retreat spaces

• opportunities for orientation and exploration

• opportunities for play and object interaction

• motor discharge of tension.

During felinotherapy, the cat should not be restricted to passive contact with a client.

Next Steps

The survey will continue with the collection of additional data.

In the next phase, the questionnaire will likely include additional topics such as:

• availability of different enrichment types

• additional regulatory strategies

• types of enrichment devices used in the environment.

The aim is to create a map of regulatory strategies in domestic cats and to better understand the relationship between environment, behaviour and feline welfare.

This pilot survey is ongoing and cat guardians are welcome to participate in the next data collection round.