There’s certain things the vet wouldn’t do (Image: Getty)
Welcoming a cat into your home is a significant commitment, and understanding how to properly care for your new furry friend is paramount.
To assist prospective owners, one veterinary surgeon has outlined the typical practices she’ll be avoiding with her feline companion, along with her professional reasoning.
Cat the Vet, a UK-based veterinary surgeon who has amassed a substantial social media following by offering guidance on pet wellbeing, recently introduced her new kitten, Mowgli, while detailing five widespread practices she’ll be steering clear of.
“I’m a vet and here are five things I won’t be doing with my new kitten,” Cat announced at the start of her video, before elaborating on her professional stance.
Feeding him the wrong things
“Number one, I won’t be feeding him a raw food diet, he will be getting commercial kibble and wet food,” she explained.
“For me, personally and professionally, the risk of bacterial infections, protentional parasite infections, and nutritional imbalances are far too much for me to want to risk my pets or my family. If you choose to raw feed, that’s fine, but it’s not for me.”
Playing with laser pointers
The veterinary professional continued by stating her kitten wouldn’t be permitted to play with laser pointers, explaining: “They’re an incredibly frustrating toy for cats, because although they’re exciting to chase, there’s nothing to catch when they pounce.
“And they can find that really irritating and annoying.”
Feed him the same thing every day
Cat outlined further guidelines regarding her pet’s nutrition, revealing plans to introduce variety into her kitten’s diet. “Although he will always eat a commercially prepared kibble or wet, I will not keep that the same in [his] entire life,” she explained.
“It’s really important for our cats to get used to different textures and different flavours. So we’ll be switching up his meals on a very regular basis.”
Not neuter him
Cat proceeded to clarify she would have her kitten neutered while still young. “It’s far better for the cats, both the girls and the boys, to be neutered,” she stated.
“They’re far less likely to fight, to wander, to get themselves in trouble, and of course girls can’t get pregnant. Because of course kittens are lovely and very cute, we have enough in the world already, and we do not have enough homes for the ones that we have.
“All responsible cat owners will have their cats neutered.”
Keep him indoors
The final principle Cat established for her kitten concerned how she intended to raise him as an outdoor cat, rather than confining him indoors.
“Here in the UK, it’s quite normal for our cats and I’m very lucky to live in an area which is pretty safe,” she noted. “You can give your cat everything they need just living in a house, but it is not as easy as them having outdoor access, so he will be going outside and meeting the big wide world.”
She added in the video’s caption: “It is a balancing act, deciding to let your cat out but for me and my pets the benefits outweigh any risks.”
Despite the informative nature of Cat’s video, viewers flocked to the comments section to voice their perspectives on her reasoning.
“As a vet, you definitely should be keeping him indoors,” one viewer contended, while another remarked: “I was surprised you said you’d be letting the kitty outside. So many negatives for letting an animal roam unattended.”
A third commenter shared: “My cat is outdoor (his choice) I keep him in overnight. He is turning 5 this summer! I would recommend an AirTag for anyone worried to lose them.”
