Calling all cat lovers and owners, because August 8 is the day to celebrate them with International Cat Day!
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Many people across the Highlands and Tablelands love cats, and plan to spoil their felines even more than usual on this special day.
Cats are full of personality and like many pets, become one of the family.
Read more:
You will see cats and kittens relaxing, enjoying a cuddle and in some cases, being very cheeky or even going to work with their owners!
While you are celebrating a fellow feline, the RSPCA has some tips on how to keep them happy and safe at home.
It is part of the organisation's Keeping Cats Safe at Home initiative, which encourages owners to keep their animals at home.
Check out the tips below:
- Timing is everything: it will take time to keep your cat at home, so owners can start establishing a routine with them. This can include keeping them indoors at night and gradually increasing the time at home during the day.
- Microchip your feline: it's important to register your cat incase they get lost or escape, with many going to pounds.
- Responsible outdoor time: your cat can still enjoy some time outdoors safely by fencing the house, or some cats can be trained on a harness.
- The importance of scratching: make sure your feline has a surface to scratch, otherwise they might to some furniture at home!
- Provide environments to hide and explore: cats are middle-order predators and are both the hunter and prey. Create spaces where they can hide and get up high.
- Create opportunities for predatory play: these are animals that hunt small prey throughout the day. You can hide or scatter food, get a puzzle feeder toy and give them small amounts of food during the day.
- Short times for cuddles: cats have sensitive skin, so pats can be overwhelming. It's important to establish trust with your feline and let them initiate the contact.
- Desexing: this can prevent unwanted pregnancies and keep your cats healthy. As it gets warmer, RSPCA NSW receives eight times the amount of kittens than usual, and up to 500 new kittens weekly.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark our website
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking news and regular newsletters