If you’re a cat lover who is finally taking the plunge to have your own adorable fur ball – that’s awesome! Cats are loveable little munchkins who while being affectionate are also highly independent and happy to do their own thing.
But before you buy your first cat, here are eight things you need to consider to ensure that they have the best home possible.
1. Should you get one from a shelter?
While buying cats from a pet shop can be fine, it is always a good idea to consider picking one up from a shelter. These cats have often had hard lives, and can be a little bit scared at first, but if you give them a good home you will be doing a wonderful thing. Your local shelter will be happy with you, too!
2. Buying pet insurance
It’s a good idea to consider purchasing the best cat insurance in Australia, just as a safety in case anything happens. If you need to take your cat to the vet or the cat is injured or unwell, pet insurance often covers such unfortunate occurrences and you may just end up happy that you bought it!
3. What breed should you get?
You should always look into whether the particular breed of cat you are considering is right for you. Do you have the time to look after a high maintenance cat? Or would you be better off with an outdoorsy cat that is highly independent and can easily look after itself? The cat’s breed could define whether you have a good relationship with it or not – so this is good to look into.
4. Getting your cat neutered
Neutering refers to the spaying of the female cat and the castration of the male cat. This should be done once the cat is old enough to be neutered (somewhere around the eight week mark). There are already plenty of cats looking for homes in Australia, so if you don’t intend on having your cat breed, it is a good idea to have it neutered.
5. Getting your cat vaccinated
You should visit your vet with your new cat – they will inform you about required vaccines so that your cat remains healthy. These are either core or non-core vaccines. The core vaccines are imperative for the cat’s health while the non-core ones are optional but advised.
6. Controlling parasites
Cats are susceptible to parasites like ticks, fleas and worms. But there are also a further host of parasites to look out for including ear mites and those that cause toxoplasmosis. You should schedule at least a yearly check-up with your vet so that you can keep on top of any unwanted parasites!
7. Toys!
Cats love toys. They are active animals who are curious and require stimulation. While you can get away with making a few classic homemade toys like the shoelace and shoebox, there’s nothing wrong with picking up the occasional feather teaser, catnip toy or squeaky toy mouse.
8. Feeding your cat
Cats are obligate carnivores who receive protein from a variety of meats. Corn and wheat are unnecessary for cats and they have a hard time digesting them. You should invest in a good cat food brand that’s within your budget, as this may be the difference between keeping them healthy and away from the vet.
Have fun with your new furry friend!
Getting a new pet is an exciting time that should be enjoyed to the fullest. Just make sure you are on top of the above list and you should be set to have an awesome relationship with your new cat!
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