Research overview: hiding places, refuges and visual barriers as felid welfare requirements

The ability to hide and break line of sight is a core feline coping mechanism, and a recurring finding across both small wild cats and domestic cats is that providing refuges reduces stress hormones and fearful behaviour. This overview surveys research on hiding boxes, dens, dense planting and visual barriers in enclosures and shelters, the physiological and behavioural benefits of concealment, and the tension between providing hiding and maintaining visitor visibility or staff observation. It discusses how lack of refuge contributes to chronic stress, hiding's role in helping newly arrived or fearful cats adapt, and design strategies that satisfy both welfare and display needs. The synthesis treats refuge provision as a non-negotiable welfare feature.