Cats as Pets

By Sophie Kininmonth · 16 Dec 2025 (updated 21 Jul 2026) ·6 min read

A cat is one of the most practical companion animals an Australian household can take on. They fit into homes of most sizes, from a big block to a small apartment, they largely manage their own toileting and grooming, and they are more self-directed than most dogs. That independence is real, but it is easy to oversell. Cats are not low care so much as different care, and a few decisions you make early, above all whether they roam, shape their health and their impact on native wildlife for the rest of their lives.

What living with a cat actually involves

The trade-off with a cat is simple: less time on walks, more time on litter, enrichment, grooming and watching for small changes. You spend less energy on structured exercise than a dog owner does, but you take on the daily work of a clean litter tray, regular play, coat care, and noticing when appetite, toileting or behaviour shifts. Cats fit neatly into many homes as long as the environment gives them room to climb, scratch, hide and play. They still need daily interaction and a steady routine, so set expectations around different care rather than no care.

Indoor, outdoor or contained

In Australia this is the decision that matters most. Roaming raises the risk of injury, disease and getting lost, and it adds hunting pressure on native wildlife. Feral cats are a major environmental threat nationally, and even a well-fed pet cat may still hunt.¹ If you want your cat to have outdoor time without letting them wander, use a contained option:

A cat-proof courtyard or balcony, with secure netting and no climb-out points
A purpose-built cat run, often called a catio
Harness and lead walks, introduced slowly and ideally from kittenhood

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

Choosing a cat that suits your home

For most Australians, temperament and history matter more than breed. Many cats are mixed-breed domestic shorthairs or longhairs, and the individual animal in front of you tells you far more than a label does. When you meet a cat, or talk with a shelter or foster carer, look for practical fit:

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

Preparing your home

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

Quick safety check

Secure windows, flyscreens and balconies, as falls are common and can be serious.
Remove or block dangling cords and blind strings.
Lock away medications, cleaning products, essential oils and poisons.
Check houseplants, as many common plants are toxic to pets.
Check inside the washer and dryer before use, because cats seek out 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:

A litter tray, placed away from food and water
A water bowl and food station
A hiding spot, such as a covered bed or a box with a towel
A scratching post or scratch mat
A few toys, rotated rather than left out all at once

Feeding and nutrition

Cats are obligate carnivores with specific nutrient needs that are hard to meet with improvised diets. Aim for a complete and balanced food matched to your cat's life stage, whether kitten, adult or senior, and ask your vet for guidance if your cat has medical issues or weight changes.^{2, 4} Wet food can lift water intake, which helps cats that drink poorly, and many households use a mix of wet and dry. The best option is the one your cat eats reliably, holds a healthy body condition on, and tolerates well.

Treats and extras

Keep treats modest and purposeful, for training, enrichment or medication support.
Do not build a diet around tuna or meat alone, as meat-only diets can be nutritionally incomplete for cats.²
When changing foods, transition gradually over several days to reduce stomach upset.

Training and behaviour

Shaping the environment beats discipline every time. Cats learn quickly and respond best to gentle consistency: reward the behaviour you want, and make unwanted behaviour less rewarding.

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. It is strongly recommended and can reduce roaming, fighting and urine spraying in many cats.⁵

Health and wellness

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. As a general guide, adult cats benefit from at least an annual examination, and more frequent check-ups are often recommended for senior cats.⁶

Vaccination schedules vary with lifestyle and local disease risk. After the initial course, core vaccinations for adult cats are commonly given every 1 to 3 years, but your vet will tailor the timing to the vaccine used and your cat's circumstances.⁷ Microchipping greatly improves the chance of being reunited if your cat is lost, and keeping your contact details current in the registry is the part that quietly makes the system work.³

Grooming and hygiene

Many cats manage their coat well, but routine grooming still helps, especially long-haired cats, older cats and heavy shedders.

Brushing: short-haired cats often cope with weekly brushing, while long-haired cats usually need more frequent sessions to prevent matting.
Nail trims: some cats need regular trimming, especially indoor cats that do not wear their nails down naturally.

Teeth are 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, plus a professional dental assessment when indicated.^{8, 9}

Enrichment that earns its keep

Think in terms of cat furniture, not toys alone. A bored cat invents its own entertainment, sometimes on the curtains. The basics that pay off:

Scratching posts, tall enough for a full stretch and stable enough not to wobble
Perches and vertical space, such as cat trees, shelving and window seats
Hiding places, such as covered beds and boxes
Food puzzles, to slow eating and add mental work
A rotating toy set, refreshed weekly to keep it novel

The bottom line

A cat fits best when their world is designed around a cat's senses: safe boundaries, warm resting spots, regular play, and food that suits their biology. Add routine vet care and proper identification, and you will usually have a calm animal that moves through the house like a small, watchful neighbour. The single decision that does most for their welfare and for local wildlife is keeping them contained rather than letting them roam.

References

Sophie Kininmonth

Dog lover and writer at My Pets Australia, sharing practical breed guides and care advice for Australian pet owners.