Top tips for a happy cat!

Here are our top three tips for keeping your cat happy at home and ensuring they don’t wind up lost or at an animal shelter.

Catastrophic… Catastrophe! It doesn’t matter what you call it, there seems to be a never ending influx of cats that come through RSPCA doors looking for a second chance; whether they be unwanted, pregnant, lost and never reclaimed, in via inspectorate or simply surrendered. So don’t be catatonic, adopt a cat from the RSPCA today.

Here are our top three tips for keeping your cat happy at home and ensuring they don’t wind up lost or at an animal shelter:

Number One: Keep your cats secure on your property

Cats can live a happy indoor lifestyle! To learn ways that you can enrich your indoor cat’s lifestyle, view our cat enrichment tips here.

If you want your cat to have the best of the indoor and outdoor world, there are range of cat enclosures on the market that you can install at home. This way your cat can spend time outside safely away from cars, birds of prey and cat fights. Keeping your feline secure also protects our native wildlife!

There is even cat fencing that you can install on your property. If you have a small yard, your cats can enjoy the outdoor world and won’t be able to hop the fence to visit the neighbours.

Some cat owners even train their cat to walk on a harness and lead as well! RSPCA Furbassador Nathan the Beach Cat frequently has outings with his human parents in a safe and controlled way.

You can train your cat to walk on a harness and take trips outdoors, but not all cats will like this, or be used to adventures so take it slow! RSPCA World for Pets has your harness and lead needs for feline friends here.

Number Two: Desex your cat

Just because your cat may be kept indoors or safe in an enclosure, it doesn’t mean that they won’t one day escape and have unexpected litters! They could be accidentally let out by a visitor, tradesperson, or make a run for it when a door is left ajar to get that glorious sun on their face and grass under their feet! So to prevent unexpected litters, desexing your feline will ensure they can’t fall pregnant or pass on some little ones to a neighbour’s cat while out wandering. 

Keep an eye out for the RSPCA’s desexing initiative Operation Wanted from June – August this year. Participating vets in Queensland will be offering 20% off desexing. There are also many benefits that desexing can have for your cat.

Number Three: Microchip your cat

All cats and dogs should be microchipped. It’s the law. It’s affordable and easy to get a microchip implanted by your local vet. Councils also host discounted microchipping days so ask your local council for more details.

You also need to ensure that your pet’s microchip is registered with your details. If you move or change phone numbers, don’t forget to update Felix’s microchip details! Did you know that around 30% of cats come into the RSPCA with a microchip that either isn’t registered or the owner details are incorrect and phone numbers are disconnected? This makes our RSPCA Lost and Found Team have trouble when reuniting pets with their owners.

If you are looking to adopt a cat, visit your local RSPCA today. You can see all cats available to adopt at our Queensland locations here. All RSPCA cats are desexed, vaccinated, microchipped, worm and flea treated, just waiting on you!