Cat Care

Cats can make excellent companions and are wonderful pets. However, with an average lifespan ranging from 15-20 years, owning a cat is a long-term commitment and their needs must be carefully considered.

Before you bring your cat or kitten home, we suggest you contact your local council and enquire about local regulations regarding such things as night curfews, compulsory containment within a property, desexing and microchipping.

Housing

A cat’s housing needs are simple. Whilst they will usually find a corner that suits them best indoors or outdoors, provide them with a basket, box or chair in a place where they feel safe and protected. Increasingly, cat owners are using cat enclosures to provide a safe outdoor area for cats. Placed in a weatherproof area, and these netted enclosures keep them safe from fights with other cats in the neighbourhood and protect local wildlife from cats’ natural hunting instincts.

For indoor cats, it can be a good idea to provide a scratching post to keep their claws in good condition and reduce the chances of your furniture being scratched.

Litter trays

Cats like to be clean at all times. As a result, cats can easily be toilet trained if a litter tray filled with a suitable cat litter is available. The litter tray should be cleaned daily to remove faeces and the litter itself changed frequently. Ensure the litter tray is placed in a quiet and private location. You may even need multiple trays if you have more than one pet cat. A good rule of thumb is one tray for each cat plus one extra.
Exercise

All cats need exercise. Cats naturally like to climb and will often seek out a high spot to sit. Providing a scratch pole or indoor cat gym will with higher perching locations will help to provide your cat with a more enriched environment.

Grooming

Most cats require grooming assistance from their owners to remove excess hair. This helps in the reduction of furballs/hairballs and matted or tangled fur which, if left, may result in a visit to us. Generally, short haired cats are able to groom themselves adequately (except at moulting time), whereas long haired cats require daily grooming by their owners. Furballs or hairballs can cause appetite and weight loss, and in a worst-case scenario, result in surgery. During the moulting season daily brushing is essential and food designed specifically to assist with the reduction of hairballs will also help your cat process shed hair. Unlike dogs, you should not need to bathe a cat under normal circumstances.
Nutrition

When it comes to feeding, most cats like to graze, so we recommend offering small amounts often. Young, healthy cats require a high protein and fat diet. There are many formulations of cat food available and we recommend discussing your cat’s individual nutritional needs with us to choose the most suitable formula. Older cats and those with certain medical conditions may require a prescription diet, which we can discuss with you as part of a treatment plan.

Water

Ensure a fresh water bowl is accessible at all times, especially if they have a dry food diet. We recommend that you avoid offering cow's milk for your cat to drink, as this can cause stomach upsets.

Health Checks

Cats and dogs age, on average, five to eight times faster than humans. By age two, most pets have already reached adulthood. At age four, many are entering middle age. By age seven, many cats and dogs, particularly larger breed dogs, are entering their senior years.

All pets require a minimum of one health check a year. This is particularly important because pets age so rapidly and major health changes can occur in a short amount of time. The risk of heart disease, arthritis, kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity and other serious conditions all increase with age.  Early detection is important and annual health checks can help your veterinarian diagnose and treat problems early, or even prevent problems occurring altogether, therefore enabling the best possible outcome for your pet.

Routine vaccinations and parasite control for fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm and intestinal worms are also recommended. Regular visits to your vet also provide a good opportunity to ask about nutrition, behaviour, and other issues.

Health Check List

The most important annual health screenings for cats:

Cats of all ages

  • Physical examination

  • Vaccinations

  • Parasite check

  • Heart check

  • Dental health check

  • Blood and urine test

Additional exams for senior cats (7+ years)

  • Osteoarthritis check

  • Kidney disease screen

  • Thyroid check

  • Blood pressure check

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