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Cats are much-loved members of some 1.9 million Australian households. They provide great company, affection, family fun and entertainment, while adding warmth, comfort and character to your home. Studies have shown that children who grow up with pets display higher self esteem, improved social skills, and are more popular with their peers. Children develop a sense of responsibility by learning to care for their pet.
Cats are clean, economical, easy to maintain and don't need to be exercised. Because they are so independent, they make great pets for people with busy lifestyles, and at the same time can be great pets for older people or bed-ridden patients, because some like to cuddle!
Kittens are very cute and enjoy being around your house. It is sometimes easy to mistake them for toys and forget that they need regular exercise and play time. This will not only be the highlight of their day, but will also be an active energy release and will help them to sleep soundly at night. Try to fit in some daily playtime with your cat don't let it become lazy! .
So you want to buy a cat? There are a few decisions to make before you go looking for your new companion.
A good place to start looking is your local Animal Shelter. When choosing a kitten it should be older than eight weeks, desexed if over six months old, veterinary surgeon checked and vaccinated, healthy, active and playful. Your cat should also have bright eyes and a healthy appetite.
Or, if you're after a pedigree cat, The Feline Association of South Australia recognises 36 breeds of cats and can help you find one.
Something to consider is that some cats have an instinct to hunt, and generally like to wander outdoors, but others prefer to lounge around indoors and enjoy the comforts of your home. For example, many of the heavier, more thickset breeds are not only less active and agile than their sleeker, more streamlined cousins, but are often more laid-back in temperament too. Remember - kittens may be cute, but they will grow and develop very individual characteristics. So make your choice wisely!
Cats, although often quite independent, need to be looked after in much the same way as dogs.
All cats should be desexed. Sterilisation is recommended for any cat before it reaches sexual maturity (which can be as early as four to five months) if you don't intend to breed from it. Breeding is generally seen as unnecessary, because more kittens are born than there are homes for them. Sterilisation usually involves the surgical removal of your cat's reproductive organs.
In the male, the testicles are removed and in the female, the ovaries and uterus are removed. The operations are quite complicated, but you are able to take your cat home within 24 hours.
Don't let your feline family member add to the growing problem of homeless and unwanted cats. Many owners ignore this responsibility and there are consequently many unwanted pregnancies, and more stray cats on the streets.
Neutered animals tend to live longer and suffer fewer health problems, as well as being more pleasurable to live with. They are very unlikely to 'spray' (both inside the house and elsewhere), roam or get into fights. They are usually quieter (neutering puts an end to the 'night meowing' associated with courtship rituals), and more home loving and 'neighbour friendly', and therefore make better pets.
Don't starve your cat! It is commonly thought that desexed cats can gain weight more easily than non-neutered animals. However, there is no need to change your cat's feeding patterns after the operation.
Just as a seat belt can save your life, a cat collar with an identification tag can save your cat's life. Although legislation does not make it compulsory for you to identify your cat, if it is not wearing proper identification when off your property, it could be trapped and removed as a stray. Any cat, regardless of whether it is identified or not, can be legally destroyed if found in a national park, designated sanctuary, or more than a kilometre from a human dwelling. Less than one percent of cats taken to animal shelters and pounds can be returned to their owners - because of lack of identification. However, if you find a cat that is not wearing a collar, it doesn't necessarily mean that it is wild. Some cats don't wear collars as they can become caught on things while they are roaming around. So if you do see a healthy cat without a collar, just let it be. Most cats taken to a shelter will eventually be destroyed.
A simple way of tagging your cat with your address and telephone number is with a heat-shrink plastic sleeve that easily slips over any cat collar. These are available from veterinary clinics and selected pet shops. Make sure you choose a collar with an elastic insert or quick release mechanism, so that your cat can free itself should it accidentally become entangled in anything. When attaching the collar, allow a flat 'two-finger' space between the collar and the cat's neck.
Microchipping is another way of ensuring that your cat is identified permanently. Your veterinary surgeon will be happy to supply you with details of this simple, but highly effective procedure.
When your cat does not return from exploring or socialising around the neighbourhood, you will be very relieved that it has an appropriate identification tag. Other tricks for successful identification are: always having a current close-up photo of your cat handy (the shot will need to include any distinctive markings, colouring or coat patterns), and always keeping a spare collar on hand in case your cat loses the one it is currently wearing. (See Page 2 for your own pet identification sheet).
When you purchase your kitten or cat, find out if it has been vaccinated and ask for its vaccination certificate, which should have been signed by a veterinarian. If your kitten has had no previous vaccinations, make sure you take it to your local veterinarian for a health check. You will probably be advised that it needs a vaccination for Feline Enteritis and Feline Respiratory Disease (a cat version of the flu). It will need two vaccinations between the age of eight and sixteen weeks. These vaccinations must be repeated every twelve months.
Cats can suffer from several types of worms and parasites, including: roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm, toxoplasmosis and heartworm. Regular worm treatment, beginning at six weeks of age, will control worm problems. Ask your local veterinary surgeon about a suitable worming program for your cat.
Worm control of your cat is also important to your family. Worms and parasites have been linked to eye damage in children and toxoplasmosis (causing possible abortion, stillbirth, or health problems for the baby) in pregnant women. However, the toxoplasma parasite does not become infectious until cat faeces are over 24 hours old. Consequently, you should change your cat's litter tray daily and always wear gloves. This is particularly important for pregnant women. Always wash your hands after cleaning up after, or handling, your cat.
Your cat will sometimes provide a home for blood-sucking fleas which, if not treated promptly, can infest your home, bite people and may cause your cat to develop a flea bite allergy which will require treatment by a veterinary surgeon.
With that thought in mind, here is some advice to help you to protect your cat from fleas.
Firstly, it is very important that you wash your cat's bedding frequently, because fleas love to breed in dirty areas. Flea eggs drop to the ground and mature in bedding, carpets and cracks in the floor (particularly between floorboards where they won't be disturbed).
This does not have to be a big problem for you, your cat, or your family. Remedies such as 'spot-ons' and six-monthly injections are available, but you should contact your veterinary surgeon to find out what is most suitable and safe for your cat. Notably, flea control products designed for dogs can be quite toxic for cats that groom themselves. Regular thorough vacuuming can also help control the flea problem.
You may have noticed that your cat is quite an intelligent creature and doesn't like to make a mess. Cats are very clean and will cover their waste. Therefore, there is no real need to toilet train them.
Toilet training your new kitten is fairly simple. All you need is cat litter and a tray (available from most supermarkets and pet shops) to keep in the laundry or in any other area that can easily be kept clean (it might be a good idea to keep more than one tray in the house). After meals and drinks regularly place your kitten onto the litter tray to encourage it to relieve itself. It will soon learn to find and use the litter tray.
Cat litter is made of absorbent deodorised granules that simulate earth. Always remember to change the litter every day to keep it hygienic. As your kitten grows older, introduce it to the big wide world (your garden) and it will soon learn to relieve itself outside. However, it is still recommended that the litter tray is left available in case it is needed at night.
You may need to try a few different litters, as your cat may not like the one you have chosen.
Cats prefer to remain in their own homes, which means that you will have to find someone you trust who can visit two or three times a day to tend to your cat. It is not a good idea to move your cat to someone else's house, as it will immediately try to escape and return home.
The alternative is to book your cat into a good boarding cattery. Call and inspect the cattery of your choice beforehand to check the conditions of the property and its accommodation areas.
If you are planning to take your cat with you on holiday, make sure that it is correctly housed in a proper travelling carrier basket, travel cage or other comfortable and safe container. Line the container with your cat's favourite blanket and it should enjoy the trip as much as you. To be really sure that your cat will be happy on its journeys, introduce it to the travel container before your trip. Try to encourage your cat to sleep and feed in the container for a week or two before you leave.
Never leave your cat to roam around in the back seat of your car. It may display some unexpectedly vicious or panicky behaviour and the danger of an accident is too great.
If your cat seems to suffer from travel sickness, ask your veterinary surgeon about medication to treat the problem.
All pet cats should be encouraged to stay indoors from dusk until dawn. This saves your cat from the many abscesses and war wounds that result from nocturnal cat fight. Your cat will also be safeguarded from being run over, and from storms or fireworks, and your neighbours will appreciate not having to endure the noise of cats having a fun night out. Cats also cause considerable injury to native wildlife and should be kept indoors at night to prevent this.
Most of all, you will be able to have more quality time with your beloved pet!
Contrary to popular belief, cats can be trained to be totally 'indoor' pets.
To encourage your cat to become more of a 'homebody' (which may well save its life), try to make your house as stimulating as possible.
Window ledges
Cats love to have their own 'perch' to lounge around in the sun and survey the scenery outside.
Enclosed spaces
Cats love to hide, so why not make your cat a 'cubby house'? It can be as simple as a cardboard box, but if you want to be creative and like to build things, you could make your cat an indoor tree with a combination of carpet-covered platforms, boxes and scratching surfaces.
Just make sure your design is sturdy, so it won't be tipped over when your cat engages in an energetic work-out in its own private gym! Also, keep in mind that cats don't like to be confined for too long.
These don't necessarily have to cost money. For example, they can be something as simple as a paper bag that your cat is intrigued by, or something dangling from a table. Any '"dangling" toy, with a cork or ping pong ball that can jump around on the end of a string, will keep your cat entertained for hours. Even flickering a torch light around a room or simply tossing a scrunched up ball of paper onto the ground seems to do the trick!
Make sure you swap your cat's toys around once in a while so it doesn't get bored.
Whenever possible try to include your cat in your family activities. There are special harnesses available to take your cat for a walk.
If you are out of the house a lot, consider leaving the radio on for some extra stimulation for your cat. If your cat is determined to keep leaving your property, consider building a fence (with inward-facing ledges, floppy chicken wire, or hessian overhangs) to discourage it. Having a close and rewarding relationship with your cat will help keep it happily housebound.
If your cat is missing ACT QUICKLY! First, contact your local Council - even after hours, as most have a contact person available at all times. If the Council has not found your cat, contact your local animal shelter/s and your local veterinary surgeon. It is also advisable to place an advertisement in the newspaper and in your local shopping centres, and perhaps do a letter box drop in your area.
DON'T DELAY! Remember that under The Dog and Cat Management Act 1995, any cat impounded may be disposed of if not identified.
If you find a stray cat that needs to be removed, try to confine it safely and contact your local Council, RSPCA or Animal Shelter. If you can't contain the cat, advise your local Council of its whereabouts and every endeavour will be made to reunite the cat with its rightful owner. If for any reason you are unable, or unwilling, to continue taking care of your cat, contact your local Animal Shelter or RSPCA which may be able to find a new home for him or her. Never abandon your cat. It is an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1985 to abandon your cat and the penalties are severe.
Diet
Most cats enjoy canned and other types of packaged foods. However, fresh food may also be given. Cats fed a well- balanced diet are healthier and more contented, and may be more likely to stay closer to home and possibly hunt less. Pre-prepared foods contain meat, heart, liver and lung and also grains like barley, rice, wheat and corn, as well as vegetables and perhaps some dairy products. Their proportions of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and trace elements are very similar to those found in the natural prey of cats. By law, all packaged pet foods must have nutritional information printed on the label.
Remember that in the wild, cats eat their prey whole, so a 'mouse-sized' piece of chicken wing every now and again as a special treat is a good idea. Chicken wings are also good for your cat's teeth. Your cat will love you for it and will remain happy and healthy.
Cats love milk, but it is not an essential food and may cause diarrhoea. All your cat needs is fresh water.
Try to feed your cat at least twice daily at regular times. Many cats like to have food left out so they can 'graze', which is their preferred eating pattern.
Grooming
Brush your cat's fur regularly and its coat will stay in great condition. While you are grooming, you can check the coat for ticks and the skin for flea bites.
Also check your cat's eyes, ears, teeth and 'rear end' regularly.
Pets Need To Have Fun Too!
