Question 1

What should I do on my cat’s first day at home?

Accepted Answer

Prepare one quiet room with food, water, a litter tray, a hiding place, a bed and a scratching surface. Let your cat leave the carrier in their own time, keep the household calm and expand access to the home gradually as confidence grows.

Question 2

How long does a cat take to settle into a new home?

Accepted Answer

There is no fixed timetable. Some cats explore within hours; shy cats may need days or weeks. Look for steady progress—eating, toileting, grooming, playing and choosing to spend time near you—rather than forcing contact.

Question 3

Can an indoor cat be happy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A contained cat can thrive when the home supports normal feline behaviour: climbing, hiding, scratching, hunting-style play, resting in private and making choices. A secure cat enclosure can add outdoor sights and smells without free roaming.

Question 4

Should I adopt one cat or two?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the individual cats, your space, budget and time. A bonded pair may enjoy living together, but an existing adult cat does not automatically want a new companion. Ask the rescue about each cat’s history and social preferences.

Question 5

What do I need before bringing a cat home?

Accepted Answer

Start with a secure carrier, age-appropriate complete food, separate food and water bowls, litter and a large tray, a bed, hiding places, a sturdy scratching surface, a few safe toys and an appointment with your vet.

Question 6

How much should I feed my cat?

Accepted Answer

Use the feeding guide for your cat’s complete food as a starting point, then adjust with your vet for age, body condition, activity, desexing status and health. Measure the full daily amount, including treats, rather than continually topping up the bowl.

Question 7

Is wet or dry food better for cats?

Accepted Answer

Both can be suitable when labelled as complete and balanced for your cat’s life stage. Wet food contributes more water; dry food is convenient and works well in puzzle feeders. Many cats do well with a measured combination chosen with their vet.

Question 8

Why does my cat seem to drink very little water?

Accepted Answer

Cats eating wet food may drink less because their meals contain water. Encourage drinking with several fresh water stations, wide bowls placed away from food and litter, or a fountain if your cat prefers moving water.

Question 9

Can cats drink cow’s milk?

Accepted Answer

It is best not to offer cow’s milk. Many adult cats do not digest lactose well, and milk adds calories without replacing the need for fresh water or a complete cat food.

Question 10

How should I change my cat’s food?

Accepted Answer

Unless your vet advises otherwise, transition gradually by mixing increasing amounts of the new food with the old food over roughly seven days. Slow down if your cat develops mild digestive upset or refuses the mixture.

Question 11

How many litter trays does my cat need?

Accepted Answer

A useful rule is one tray per cat, plus one extra, placed in different quiet locations. Two trays beside each other may feel like a single toileting station to a cat.

Question 12

Where should I put the litter tray?

Accepted Answer

Choose a quiet, accessible place where your cat can see the surroundings and leave easily. Avoid dead ends, busy walkways, washing machines and locations where another pet could block access.

Question 13

Why is my cat urinating outside the litter tray?

Accepted Answer

A sudden toileting change can be caused by pain or illness, stress, conflict, tray location, cleanliness or litter preference. Arrange a veterinary check first, especially if your cat strains, cries, passes only drops or repeatedly visits the tray.

Question 14

How often should I clean the litter tray?

Accepted Answer

Remove urine clumps and faeces at least daily. Empty and wash the tray regularly using mild, cat-safe products, with the frequency depending on the litter type and number of cats.

Question 15

What type of cat litter is best?

Accepted Answer

Many cats prefer a soft, unscented litter, but preferences vary. Start with a large open tray and about 3–4 cm of unscented litter, then compare options gradually rather than making a sudden switch.

Question 16

Why does my cat scratch the furniture?

Accepted Answer

Scratching is normal: cats maintain their claws, stretch, leave scent and visual marks, and release emotion. Place a stable scratching post or pad beside the chosen furniture, match the preferred vertical or horizontal surface and reward its use.

Question 17

Why does my cat bite while being petted?

Accepted Answer

Some cats become overstimulated or dislike touch in particular areas. Watch for a swishing tail, skin rippling, ears turning back, a tense body or the cat looking at your hand, and stop before those signals escalate.

Question 18

Why does my cat meow at night?

Accepted Answer

Night-time calling can reflect routine, boredom, hunger, stress, mating behaviour, age-related changes or illness. Add predictable evening play followed by a meal, avoid rewarding demand-calling, and seek veterinary advice for a new or persistent change.

Question 19

Why is my cat suddenly hiding?

Accepted Answer

Hiding can be a normal response to visitors or change, but sudden or prolonged hiding may also signal pain or illness. Check whether your cat is eating, drinking, toileting and moving normally, and avoid pulling them from their safe place.

Question 20

Are my cats playing or fighting?

Accepted Answer

Balanced play usually includes pauses and role-swapping, with relaxed bodies and both cats choosing to return. Conflict is more likely when one cat persistently chases or blocks the other, there is growling or screaming, or one cat hides and avoids resources afterwards.

Question 21

How often should my cat see a vet?

Accepted Answer

Book a health check at least annually and follow your vet’s schedule for vaccinations, parasite prevention and dental care. Kittens, seniors and cats with ongoing conditions commonly need more frequent reviews.

Question 22

When is a cat not eating an emergency?

Accepted Answer

A marked appetite loss in a cat deserves prompt veterinary advice because cats can become seriously ill when they do not eat. Seek urgent care sooner for a kitten, a cat with diabetes or another condition, or when appetite loss comes with vomiting, weakness, breathing difficulty, pain or inability to urinate.

Question 23

Are hairballs and vomiting normal?

Accepted Answer

An occasional hairball can occur, but repeated vomiting, retching without producing anything, blood, pain, lethargy, appetite loss or weight loss is not something to dismiss as “just hairballs”. A vet should assess recurrent episodes.

Question 24

Do I need to brush my cat’s teeth?

Accepted Answer

Home dental care can help, and brushing with cat-safe toothpaste is generally the most direct option when introduced gradually. Ask your vet to examine the mouth and demonstrate a suitable routine—never use human toothpaste.

Question 25

How often should I groom my cat and trim their claws?

Accepted Answer

Short-haired cats often benefit from weekly brushing; long-haired cats may need brushing every few days or daily. Check claws regularly and trim only the clear hooked tip when needed, using cat nail clippers and a calm, gradual approach.

Question 26

How long should I play with my cat each day?

Accepted Answer

Several short play sessions are usually more cat-friendly than one long session. Follow your cat’s interest and fitness, use toys that allow stalking, chasing and pouncing, and let the cat “catch” the toy before finishing.

Question 27

How can I keep my cat entertained while I’m out?

Accepted Answer

Create safe choices: a window view, high and enclosed resting places, scratching surfaces, food puzzles, hidden portions of the daily kibble and a small rotation of sturdy toys. Remove strings, ribbons and toys that are unsafe without supervision.

Question 28

What should I look for in a cat tree?

Accepted Answer

Prioritise stability, usable platform size, strong scratching surfaces and a layout that suits your cat’s age and mobility. Place it where the cat gains something valuable, such as a view, warmth or proximity to the family.

Question 29

Are laser pointers good toys for cats?

Accepted Answer

They can prompt movement, but a cat can become frustrated because there is nothing physical to catch. If you use one, keep the light away from eyes and finish by directing the cat to a real toy or food reward they can capture.

Question 30

How can I make a balcony safe for my cat?

Accepted Answer

Treat an open balcony as unsafe. Use professionally secured, escape-proof mesh or a purpose-built enclosure, check every gap and climbing route, provide shade and water, and supervise until you are confident the setup is secure.

Question 31

How should I introduce two cats?

Accepted Answer

Go slowly: begin in separate areas, exchange bedding and scents, create positive experiences on opposite sides of a closed door, then progress to short visual and supervised meetings. Move back a step if either cat shows sustained fear or tension.

Question 32

What resources do two cats need?

Accepted Answer

Provide multiple, separated sets of food, water, litter trays, scratching surfaces, resting places, hiding spots and elevated positions. The aim is to prevent one cat from controlling access to everything the other needs.

Question 33

Why have my cats suddenly stopped getting along?

Accepted Answer

Pain, illness, a frightening event, redirected aggression, resource competition or changes inside or outside the home can alter the relationship. Separate the cats safely if needed and arrange a veterinary check before attempting a gradual reintroduction.

Question 34

How do I introduce a cat and dog?

Accepted Answer

Start with scent exchange and physical separation. Keep the dog calmly controlled during brief visual introductions, give the cat high escape routes and a dog-free area, and reward relaxed behaviour. Never allow chasing.

Question 35

How can children interact safely with a cat?

Accepted Answer

Teach children to let the cat approach, stroke gently, avoid lifting or chasing, and leave the cat alone while eating, sleeping or using the litter tray. Every cat needs child-free hiding and resting places.

Question 36

Does my area have a cat curfew?

Accepted Answer

Cat containment rules vary by state and local council, and they can change. Check your council’s current website for night-time curfews, full-time containment areas, registration, desexing and household cat limits.

Question 37

Do I need to microchip and register my cat in Victoria?

Accepted Answer

In Victoria, cats aged three months and over must be registered with the local council, and a cat must be microchipped before first registration. Local rules may add containment, desexing or permit requirements.

Question 38

How do I keep my cat cool in an Australian summer?

Accepted Answer

Keep your cat in a cool, well-ventilated area with shade and several fresh water stations. Close off dangerously hot rooms, avoid travel in the heat and never leave a cat in a parked car. Heatstroke requires immediate veterinary attention.

Question 39

What should be in a bushfire plan for my cat?

Accepted Answer

Include your cat in the household emergency plan before fire season. Keep a labelled carrier accessible, practise calm carrier entry, identify more than one pet-friendly destination and prepare several days of food, water, medication, litter and records.

Question 40

What should I know about renting with a cat in Victoria?

Accepted Answer

Victorian rental rules and building or owners-corporation rules can affect the process. Use the current Consumer Affairs Victoria pet-request process, keep written records and check any property-specific conditions before bringing a cat home.

Clear answers for everyday cat life.

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