Many people enjoy dressing their pets in costumes, particularly for special events such as Christmas. Some animal welfare organisations include costume competitions for owners and their animals as fundraising events. This can be fun to observe and offers unique photo opportunities, but it’s important to consider what the experience is like…
Birds are highly intelligent animals who require regular exercise and mental stimulation. It’s important to ensure these needs will be met when choosing how to house your pet birds. Space Any enclosure should provide a large space relative to the size of the bird, to allow for free movement and…
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…
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]. All parts of the lily plant…
There are an estimated 3.3 million owned cats in Australia; cats are the second most popular pet and 29% 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…