Cats are safer indoors. But if they’re used to roaming freely, containing them can cause problems – here’s what you need to know.
Articles on Pet cats
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Just as caring for a human loved one can come at great personal cost, a growing body of research shows people with a seriously ill pet experience ‘caregiver burden’.
Cats provide a purr-fect introduction to science topics, including ecology, evolution, genetics and behavior.
Traditional methods based on trap, adopt or euthanise have failed to control cat numbers. An eight-year trial of a more supportive community cat desexing program has been a resounding success.
Most Australians don’t need to be persuaded of the benefits of rules that require owners to stop their pet cats roaming outside their properties. Only 8% of those surveyed were against this policy.
Are plant-based treats like catnip, cat thyme and silver vine safe for cats? And it it ethical to use them?
Keeping your cat indoors is safer for your pet and wildlife. There are some simple steps you can take to ensure its quality of life doesn’t suffer.
There hasn’t been a lot of research into adult cat play, but a new study shows it’s not just dogs who like to play fetch.
Natural selection changed just 13 genes to separate your Felix and Fluffy from their African wildcat ancestor.
Some 60-100% of cats taken in are strays and at least 50% are kittens born in the preceding six months. Community cat programs focused on free desexing in problem areas are badly needed.
One-third of local councils have rules to stop pet cats roaming because of their major impacts on wildlife. More councils want to get on board but many are hampered by state laws.
Cat owners need to know the right moment to step in. Here’s how to tell.
Keeping human foods away from pets is one way to avoid emergency veterinary hospital runs during Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or New Year’s.
Digging is a natural and important behaviour for cats – trying to interrupt it may cause stress and confusion for your pet. But if your cat is kicking litter everywhere, here are a few tips to try.
Clean bird feeders and grow insect-friendly plants.
Catnip’s status as kitty kryptonite is due to a chemical compound called nepalacatlon, but what actually is catnip?
Cats kill a staggering 1.7 billion native animals each year, and threaten at least 120 species with extinction. Five experts analyse a parliamentary report on the problem.
Breeding cats for exaggerated facial features might have hindered our ability to understand them.
When cats were introduced to Australia, they brought several diseases with them. These diseases are taking a big toll on human health and the economy — but there are things we can do.
Since women see men who own pets more favorably, you’d think online daters with cats in their profile pics would get more matches…
Top contributors
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University Fellow in Biodiversity, Charles Darwin University
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Visiting Research Fellow, Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Nottingham Trent University
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Professor of Conservation Biology, Charles Darwin University
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Professor of Wildlife Conservation, Australian National University
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Project Officer, School of Earth and Environmental Science, The University of Queensland
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Professor Emeritus in Terrestrial Ecology, University of Sydney
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Emeritus Professor of Companion Animal Health, The University of Queensland
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William H. Danforth Distinguished University Professor, Washington University in St. Louis
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Associate Professor, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Adelaide University
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Research Fellow, Animal Welfare Science Centre, The University of Melbourne
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Lecturer of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle
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Richard Malik is a Friend of The Conversation.
Veterinary Internist (Specialist), University of Sydney
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Industry Fellow, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland
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Senior Lecturer, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne
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Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor in Community Practice, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis