Yes, it is okay to keep your cat at home all of the time, as long as you make sure that you provide them with an environment that is optimised to meet their physical and mental needs, allows and encourages the expression of normal feline behaviours, minimises stress, and promotes…
Some cats are active at night, or are awake and ‘raring to go’ very early in the morning. Since many owners are out at work or school during the day, the cat may spend the daytime hours in rest and relaxation and sleeping, especially if it is the only pet…
Lilies are extremely toxic to cats. Lily toxicity in cats is an emergency. If you suspect lily toxicity, seek immediate veterinary attention. Lilies (Lilium spp and Hemerocallis spp. – common names include Easter, Asiatic, Tiger, Stargazer, Calla, Leopard, Panther, Yellow, Trumpet, White and Day lilies) contain substances that are extremely toxic to cats [1]….
There are an estimated 5.3 million owned cats in Australia; cats are the second most popular pet and 33% of households own a cat. However, while many of these cats are highly valued by humans as companions and pets, many others are not well-cared for and have no defined owner….
RSPCA Australia encourages owners to contain of cats within their property boundaries to help protect cats from disease and injury, avoid them becoming lost, reduce the impact on wildlife, and prevent disturbance to neighbours. Welfare check First, assess if the cat is owned (e.g., do they have a collar or…
Cats naturally perform scratching behaviour for a variety of reasons, such as to maintain their claws, mark territory (cats deposit scent when they scratch as they have scent glands around their paw pads), and as an emotional outlet (e.g., frustration, anxiety, excitement). While these scratching behaviours are essential for cats…
Cats can find moving to a new home stressful. There are measures you can take to reduce that stress and ensure a smooth transition [1]. Travel – Provide safety and stress relief in the form of a suitable cat carrier with familiar bedding (e.g., favourite blanket). Security – Make sure…
Most cats can learn how to use a litter tray from an early age and often do this on their own without any assistance. For the first few days after you bring them home, to help the process you can, place them in their litter tray within half an hour…
Cats are obligate or true carnivores, which means they are dependent on the nutrients provided by a diet based on consuming prey animals. This means they cannot be healthy or survive without the specific nutritional components in such a diet. In the wild, cats eat the carcasses of the prey…
There are currently an estimated 28.7 million pets in Australia and we have one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world [1]. Approximately 69% of households in Australia own pets, with dogs being the most common (48%), followed by cats (33%) [1]. What are the characteristics of Australian…