Cat owners’ perceptions of multimodal environmental modification advice for obstructive feline idiopathic cystitis

Objectives The primary goal of this survey was to gain insight into cat owners’ perspectives with respect to multimodal environmental modification (MEMO) advice for obstructive feline idiopathic cystitis (O-FIC). The secondary goal was to describe the environmental management practices of cat owners. Methods An online survey of clients whose cats were managed medically for presumed O-FIC was completed. Results A total of 167 responses met the inclusion criteria. The proportions of cat owners receiving advice for MEMO varied with each aspect of environmental enrichment: diet (94%), water intake (86.2%), litter box (56.9%), private physical space (43.7%), social interaction (25.1%) and natural behavior (26.3%). For all these environmental enrichment categories, clients reported high compliance rates (88.9–97.6%), and veterinarians were the main source of advice. Cat owners indicated similar median satisfaction scores (with the thoroughness of advice), in the range of 77–82, for all aspects of environmental enrichment. Overall, respondents also reported encountering minimal challenges in terms of implementing MEMO and described their current management practices. Conclusions and relevance Cat owners report that certain aspects of MEMO are emphasized for O-FIC, such as diet and water intake. Recommendations for litter box management, private physical space, social interaction and natural behavior are aspects of environmental enrichment that are not as commonly provided to cat owners. If given MEMO recommendations, cat owners readily complied. Veterinarians were the main source of MEMO advice, suggesting that they are the key to providing recommendations pertaining to all aspects of environmental enrichment.