Getting a cat is a big decision, and understanding how to properly care for it is important. To help prospective cat owners, one vet has shared the common practices she won’t be implementing with her own kitten.
Cat the Vet, a UK-based veterinarian who shares pet care advice on social media, recently introduced her new kitten, Mowgli, to the world – and outlined five things she won’t be doing with him.
“I’m a vet and here are five things I won’t be doing with my new kitten,” she began, before delving into her list.
Feeding him raw food
“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…are far too much for me to want to risk my pets or my family.”
She added: “If you choose to raw feed, that’s fine, but it’s not for me.”
Using laser pointers
Cat also revealed that laser pointers would be off-limits for Mowgli as they can frustrate cats.
“Although they’re exciting to chase, there’s nothing to catch when they pounce. And they can find that really irritating and annoying,” she said.
Not giving him a varied diet
The vet also discussed plans to incorporate 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 said. “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 neutering him
Cat also emphasised the importance of neutering kittens at a young age for their health and wellbeing.
“It’s far better for the cats, both the girls and the boys, to be neutered. They’re far less likely to fight, to wander, to get themselves in trouble, and of course girls can’t get pregnant,” she explained. “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.”
She added: “All responsible cat owners will have their cats neutered.”
Raising him as an indoor cat
The final rule she had for her kitten was raising him as an outdoor cat.
“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 said. “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.”
In the caption of the video, she wrote: “It is a balancing act, deciding to let your cat out but for me and my pets the benefits outweigh any risks.”
Despite Cat’s enlightening video on pet care, the online community took to the comments section to voice their perspectives on her stance.
One commenter said: “As a vet, you definitely should be keeping him indoors.” A second person added: “I was surprised you said you’d be letting the kitty outside. So many negatives for letting an animal roam unattended.”
Meanwhile, another pet owner offered their personal insight along with a practical tip: “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.”
