Cats as Pets

Most people land here while weighing up a very practical choice: is a cat the right pet for your household, and what care will keep them healthy without surprises. The stakes are ordinary but real — scratched furniture, stressed animals, preventable vet bills, and (in Australia) the impact a roaming cat can have on wildlife.

Below is a clear, grounded guide to living well with a pet cat in Australia: what cats actually need day-to-day, how to set up your home, how to feed them sensibly, and what to plan for in health care and behaviour.

The quiet benefits of living with a cat

Cats can fit neatly into many Australian homes, including smaller spaces, as long as their environment is set up for climbing, scratching, hiding and play. They tend to be more self-directed than many dogs, but they still need daily interaction, routine and thoughtful care.

It’s also worth keeping expectations realistic. Cats aren’t “low care” so much as “different care”: you’ll spend less time on walks, and more time on litter, enrichment, grooming, and noticing small changes in appetite, toileting or behaviour.

Indoor, outdoor, or contained: the decision that shapes everything

In Australia, the biggest lifestyle decision is whether your cat will roam. Roaming increases the risk of injury, disease exposure and getting lost, and it also adds hunting pressure to native wildlife. Feral cats are a major environmental threat nationally, and even well-fed pet cats may still hunt.¹

If you want outdoor time without roaming, aim for one of these “contained” options:

• Cat-proof courtyard or balcony (with secure netting and no climb-out points)
• Purpose-built cat run (“catio”)
• Harness and lead walks (introduced slowly, ideally from kittenhood)

Local rules vary by council and state, so check your local by-laws for containment, registration and microchipping requirements.³

Choosing a cat (and “breed”) that suits your home

For most Australians, the more useful choice is cat temperament and history, not breed. Many cats are mixed-breed domestic shorthairs or longhairs, and their individual personality matters more than a label.

When you meet a cat (or speak with a shelter/foster carer), look for practical fit:

• Energy level: playful whirlwind, steady companion, or quiet observer
• Tolerance for handling: particularly important with children
• Other animals: whether the cat has lived with cats/dogs before
• Coat care: long coats usually need more frequent brushing to prevent matting

Preparing your home: safety first, then comfort

A cat sees a home in three dimensions. They’ll explore height, squeeze into gaps, and test anything that swings, rustles, or resembles prey. A short safety sweep before they arrive prevents many of the classic emergencies.

Quick safety check

• Secure windows, flyscreens and balconies (falls are common and can be serious).
• Remove or block access to dangling cords and blind strings.
• Lock away medications, cleaning products, essential oils and poisons.
• Check houseplants — many common plants can be toxic to pets.
• Before using the washer/dryer, always check inside (cats like warm, enclosed spaces).

Set up a calm “first room”

For the first few days, a quiet room helps your cat settle and makes it easier to monitor eating, drinking and toileting. Include:

• Litter tray (placed away from food and water)
• Water bowl and food station
• Hiding spot (covered bed or a box with a towel)
• Scratching post or scratch mat
• A few toys (rotate rather than leaving everything out)

Feeding and nutrition: simple, consistent, appropriate

Cats are obligate carnivores, with specific nutrient requirements that are difficult to meet with improvised diets. Aim for a complete and balanced diet appropriate for your cat’s life stage (kitten, adult, senior), and ask your vet for guidance if your cat has medical issues or weight changes.^{2, 4}

Wet food can help increase water intake, which is useful for cats that drink poorly, and many households use a mix of wet and dry. The best option is the one your cat eats reliably, maintains a healthy body condition on, and tolerates well.

Treats and “extras”

• Keep treats modest and purposeful (training, enrichment, or medication support).
• Avoid building a diet around tuna or meat alone — “meat only” diets can be nutritionally incomplete for cats.²
• If you’re changing foods, transition gradually over several days to reduce stomach upset.

Training and behaviour: shaping the environment beats “discipline”

Cats learn quickly, but they respond best to gentle consistency: rewards for desired behaviour, and an environment that makes unwanted behaviour less rewarding.

What helps most in everyday homes

• Scratching is normal. Provide sturdy scratch options in the rooms where people spend time, not tucked away in the laundry.
• Play is preventive care. Short, regular play sessions help many cats settle and sleep better.
• Keep routines steady. Predictable feeding and quiet resting places reduce stress-related behaviour.
• Desexing reduces risk behaviours. Desexing is strongly recommended and can reduce roaming, fighting and urine spraying in many cats.⁵

Health and wellness: the baseline plan

A good health plan is mostly quiet repetition: vaccinations when due, parasite control as needed, dental care, and regular check-ups that catch problems early.

Vet visits

As a general guide, adult cats benefit from at least annual examinations, with more frequent check-ups often recommended for senior cats.⁶

Vaccinations (Australia)

Vaccination schedules vary with lifestyle and local disease risk. Core vaccinations are commonly given every 1–3 years for adult cats after the initial course, but your vet will tailor the timing to the vaccine used and your cat’s circumstances.⁷

Microchipping and identification

Microchipping greatly improves the chance of being reunited if your cat is lost. Keep your contact details up to date in the registry — it’s the part that quietly makes the system work.³

Grooming and hygiene: what’s necessary, what’s optional

Many cats manage their coat well, but they still benefit from routine grooming — especially long-haired cats, older cats, and cats that shed heavily.

Coat and claws

• Brushing: short-haired cats often cope with weekly brushing; long-haired cats usually need more frequent sessions to prevent matting.
• Nail trims: some cats need regular trimming, especially indoor cats that don’t wear nails down naturally.

Teeth (often overlooked)

Dental disease is common in cats and can be painful. If your cat will tolerate it, tooth-brushing is one of the most effective home-care habits. If not, your vet may suggest dental diets or other options, and professional dental assessment when indicated.^{8, 9}

Accessories and enrichment that actually earn their keep

Think in terms of “cat furniture” rather than toys alone. A bored cat often invents their own entertainment — sometimes on the curtains.

• Scratching posts (tall enough for a full stretch, stable enough not to wobble)
• Perches and vertical space (cat trees, shelving, window seats)
• Hiding places (covered beds, boxes)
• Food puzzles (to slow eating and add mental work)
• Rotate toys weekly to keep them novel

Final thoughts

A cat fits best when their world is designed with a cat’s senses in mind: safe boundaries, warm resting spots, regular play, and food that meets their biology. Add routine vet care and proper identification, and you’ll usually have a calm animal who moves through the house like a small, watchful neighbour — present, curious, and surprisingly good at turning ordinary afternoons into something quieter and better.

References

1. Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) — Feral cats
2. RSPCA Knowledgebase — Do cats have special nutritional requirements?
3. RSPCA Australia — Microchipping
4. WSAVA — Global Nutrition Guidelines
5. RSPCA South Australia — Cat confinement tips (includes desexing advice)
6. AAHA — 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines: Life stage checklists (exam frequency)
7. RSPCA Knowledgebase — What vaccinations should my cat receive?
8. AAHA — Your pet’s dental care (home care and professional cleaning)
9. AAHA — Feline dental care (AAHA/AAFP feline life stage guidelines)