Take Care of Your Cat – It’s the Law!

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There has been a considerable backlash in the UK as Pet owners face a code of practice that gives them guidelines for how to treat their cats, dogs, and horses. Judging from some of the comments on the BBC website, they view these guidelines as patronizing and the result of a “nanny state”:

What will they come up with next? My family has had many animals and we have not felt the need to be told how to “entertain” them! My cat is sleeping right now, so do I leave him to sleep, assuming that is normal, or wake him up and entertain him, in case he is just bored? Better read the guidelines!
Julie, Dunstable

We’ll be given advice on how to breathe next.
Alex, Edinburgh

Unfortunately, the people in need of this advice (and there are many) are probably too stupid to read.
Martin, London

Once again the nanny state strikes, full of useless information and pointing out the blatently obvious, we need to stop wasting money on these useless things and put our taxes to more practical use.
Brian, Manchester

As it states as the beginning of the code of practice, “Breach of a provision of this code is not an offence in itself but, if proceedings are brought against you for a welfare offence under the Act, the court may take into account the extent to which you have complied with the code in deciding whether you have committed an offence or have met the required standard of care.” The purpose of this code is both to inform the public, and to help prosecute those who neglect animals. And while some may feel that it may go into a little too much detail with its advice, probably everyone who reads it would be able to gain some new information regarding their animals. I see no harm in the government trying to make sure that people are informed, especially on such an important topic as pet care.

Below is a summary of the information that is included in the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats. The document contains much more detailed information, and also lists what British laws exist regarding your cat.

Section 1 – Environment
Make sure your cat has a suitable place to live

Sleeping and resting
You should provide your cat with a comfortable, dry, draught-free resting area to which it has constant access and where it will feel safe. Cats need opportunities to climb and jump, such as a simple ‘platform’ type bed or safe access to shelves and the tops of cupboards Cats that are not very tame, such as some farm cats, may prefer to live outdoors in more basic shelter but you still need to look after them

Hazards

Ensure your cat is kept away from potentially harmful substances

Travel
Make sure your cat is transported safely. Cats should not be left unattended in a vehicle. In warm weather, this can be life threatening

Going to the toilet
Your cat should have somewhere suitable to go to the toilet. This can be an indoor tray with some suitable material, such as cat litter or your cat may prefer to go outside. In multi-cat households there should be at least one litter tray provided per cat.

Section 2 – Diet
Make sure your cat has a balanced diet that meets its nutritional needs.

Your cat must have access to fresh clean water at all times.

How often to feed your cat
Your cat should eat regularly and must be fed at least once a day. Cats are true carnivores and eat meat. They cannot be vegetarians.

Healthy Weight
Your cat should not be too fat or too thin. You can assess your cat’s weight by gently seeing if you can feel its ribs; if they are hard to find it may be overweight. If the ribs and backbone are prominent, then your cat may be underweight and ill. If in doubt, ask your veterinary surgeon whether your cat is within its correct weight range. Obesity is a serious welfare concern as it can lead to the development of significant health conditions such as diabetes.

Other dietary needs
Some cats have different dietary needs; your veterinary surgeon is the best person to advise you about the care of your cat in these circumstances.

Section 3 – Behaviour
Your cat should be able to behave normally

Typical behaviours
Behaviour such as hunting is important to cats. You can fulfil this need with play using appropriate toys. Behaviour such as scratching or claw conditioning is normal; you can buy a scratching post of the correct type from most pet shops.

Exercise
Make sure your cat has opportunities to exercise each day to stay fit and healthy. If it does not go outside, provide suitable indoor activities to keep your cat active.

Signs of Stress
Watch your cat closely for signs of stress or changes in behaviour.

Section 4 – Company
Make sure your cat’s social needs are met.

Socialisation
Notice how your cat reacts to other cats, pets or people, and make sure that it is able to avoid them if it wants to. It should be remembered that cats are naturally solitary animals.

Relations with other animals and people
Socialisation with people, cats and other animals, and getting used to common noises, is an essential part of early learning. The important period of learning is from approximately 2 weeks to 7 weeks of age, but can continue for a lot longer. Responsible persons should ensure that cats in their care are handled properly and are not stressed or harmed by other people, children or animals. Dogs should be introduced to cats very carefully; the dog should be held safely on a lead at first so that it cannot chase the cat

When you are away from home
You must arrange for your cat’s needs to be met if you are away from home.

Number of Animals
It is best not to keep too many cats together, especially if they do not have access to the outside. Cats are by nature solitary animals so living in a multi-cat househhold could be very stressful for them. Multi-cat households can also increase the risk of infectious disease spread. Large numbers of animals need a great deal of care and you should not keep a large number of cats if you cannot meet their welfare needs.

Section 5 – Health & Welfare
You must ensure your cat is in good health.

Health care
You should regularly examine your cat for signs of injury and illness. You must ensure your cat is treated promptly by a veterinary surgeon if it is injured or ill. Your cat’s veterinary surgeon will be able to advise you about routine health care, such as vaccination, and parasite control (e.g. fleas and worms), as well as any health problems it may have.

Grooming
You should ensure that your cat’s coat is properly groomed. A pet care specialist may be able to advise you about coat care.

Identification
Your cat should be identifiable. Cats are generally identified by two methods to help trace their owner should they become lost: microchipping; or wearing a correctly fitted quick release collar that has the cat owner’s contact details.

Neutering
You should consider having your cat neutered to prevent the birth of
unwanted kittens.