Caring for my Cat
How should I introduce my new cat or kitten to the family dog?
First consider if it would be safe and appropriate to have both a dog and cat as part of your family. While dogs and cats can live together in harmony and even become friends, in some cases individual dogs may not be compatible with cats.
How often do I need to groom my cat?
While most companion cats will groom themselves, maintaining a regular grooming routine will benefit their health and welfare. How, and how often, you need to groom your cat will vary depending on the individual cat.
How can I keep my cat safe and happy at home?
Whether you’ve just adopted a new cat or kitten, or are considering how best to care for your existing cat, the RSPCA Australia guide to keeping your cat safe and happy at home can help.
How should I take care of my cat or dog’s teeth?
Our pets need regular and consistent dental care to make sure their teeth stay healthy and functional for as long as possible, and to prevent dental plaque and tartar/ build up and dental and periodontal disease.
Do cats have special nutritional requirements?
Cats have special nutritional requirements because they have some fundamental differences in what and how they can metabolise and utilise different food sources compared to many other animals (such as dogs).
What should I consider if I need to evacuate my animal in a natural disaster?
During a natural disaster such as a bushfire, extreme weather (storms, floods, heatwaves) or earthquake, it may be necessary to evacuate from your home. It is important to have an emergency plan in place which includes your animals. What should I do to prepare for an emergency?
What is RSPCA Australia’s position on the irradiation of imported pet food products?
RSPCA Australia’s position is that pet food should not be irradiated. According to the Department of Agriculture, irradiation of pet food for cats presents a unique case and because of detrimental nutritional changes in cat food, irradiation has not been used for this commodity since 2009.
How can pain be recognised and monitored in cats?
Due to the unique nature of and often subtle changes in feline body language, recognising pain in cats can be a challenge for their owners.
What vaccinations should my cat receive?
Vaccinations are an important part of caring for your cat. Vaccines provide protection from some diseases such as enteritis (feline panleukopaenia) and cat flu (feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus).