Feline fine - how to give your cat the best life

Cats are the most common pet in NZ with an estimated 1.2 million pet cats and about 40% of households owning at least one.

Cats are often misunderstood and can be seen as aloof and low maintenance. When people say cats are ‘low-maintenance’, they’re partly right in that cats don’t need walks or constant supervision. But they absolutely need attention, play and bonding time with their humans.

Training

Cats are very trainable - it’s one of the biggest myths that they can’t learn like dogs do! The difference isn’t in their ability to learn, but in their motivation and how we approach training them.

Just like puppies, ensure you get them accustomed to normal household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, from an early age. This helps to prevent a cat that hides under the bed whenever you get the vacuum cleaner out!

Another useful thing to do is to keep your cat’s carrier visible in your living space rather than storing it away. Place treats inside or feed your cat there to build positive associations. When it’s time to travel, your cat will see the carrier as a familiar, comfortable space rather than something frightening, making vet visits and trips much less stressful for both of you.

Vaccintions

Let’s talk vaccinations. Despite what many people think, vaccinations don’t end with kittenhood. Adult cats need regular boosters to stay protected against serious diseases like cat flu and Panleukopaenia, a deadly virus similar to Parvovirus in dogs.

Most cats should receive vaccinations every three years, though cats that board at catteries may need annual shots. Many owners skip these crucial boosters, leaving their pets vulnerable to preventable illnesses that can be fatal.

Desexing

Kittens should be desexed at 3-4 months of age. Female cats can get pregnant at 4 months of age, so it is crucial that they are desexed early. There are no known side effects to desexing kittens at this age. They should be microchipped and registered on the Companion Animal Register at the same time.

Cats are generally a solitary species, unlike dogs. Even cats from the same litter may not live together harmoniously once they reach the age of social maturity at about 2-3 years old.

When keeping multiple cats, provide enough space and resources so each cat can have its own territory when needed. This means separate feeding areas, multiple litter boxes and plenty of hiding spots.

Without adequate room to retreat, stress and conflicts between cats are inevitable.

Adopting a cat

Don’t forget the best place to adopt a cat from is a shelter such as WISCA! Many of our cats have overcome tough starts in life, which often makes them even more appreciative of love and care.

Please check our Facebook page or contact our Animal Advocate on 0275395107 or wisca@wisca.co.nz to find out what cats we have for adoption.