What do I need to know before getting a cat?

Looking for a furry friend that provides quality cuddles but can maintain a level of independence? A cat might be the perfect fit for you. 

From their cute looks to quirky behaviour, cats are relatively low-maintenance pets and require a lot less upkeep compared to their canine friends. 

While you don’t have to worry about exercising and grooming your feline as much, it’s still important to consider what breed is suitable for your environment and lifestyle. Another thing to consider is what health conditions certain cats are prone to, so you can pick insurance that suits you and your cats needs.

Whether you’re an experienced cat owner looking for another addition to the family or getting one for the very first time, here are some things you should know about different cat breeds and common conditions.

What to consider when choosing a cat breed.

Cats get the wrap of being sassy and solitary creatures, but it’s a common misconception. Many breeds are loving, affectionate and rely heavily on their connection with their owner. If you’re planning on getting a cat because you lead a busy life, remember, cats can get stressed if they’re alone for an extended period of time. 

Before picking a breed, ask yourself these questions:
  • What does my living situation look like?

    Do you live in a house/ apartment/townhouse or rural area?
     
  • Will I keep my cat permanently indoors or allow it to go outside?
     
  • Can I afford the ongoing costs? 

    Regular checkups, desexing, food, and entertainment.
Choosing a cat breed

 

If you live in a highly-populated area or an apartment, you might want to consider a breed you can keep indoors. Comparatively, if you live somewhere suburban or in a house with a large backyard, you may have more flexibility to let your cat roam outside. Long-haired cats tend to shed, so if your home is carpeted, a short-haired cat may be more suitable and less hassle to clean up after. 

Once you’ve considered these things, it’s time to start looking for your perfect match. Take a look at our guide below to see what kind of cat breed might be best for you.

Cat breed characteristics.

Cat Breed Features Personality Suits Lifespan
Ragdolls

Long-haired coat.

Docile, relaxed and enjoys playing.

Families with children.

12 - 17 years.
Bengal

Short-haired coat and muscular body.

Energetic, loving, and high exercise needs.

Suburban area, outdoors with backyard.

10 - 16 years.
Burmese

Short-haired, solid, and muscular body.

Affectionate and intelligent.

Families with children.

10 - 16 years.
Persian

Long-haired, tends to shed.

Docile, elegant, and relaxed.

Family environment or older, retired single owner.

10 - 15 years.
Russian Blue

Short-haired.

Gentle and calm, but loves to play.

Families with children.

10 - 15 years.
Exotic

Large.

Vocal, playful, and calm.

Active family.

8 - 15 years.
American Shorthair

Short-haired, easy to groom.

Intelligent and kid-friendly.

Loving household, families, singles or couples.

15 - 20 years.
Siamese Cat

Short-haired, muscular build.

Affectionate and vocal.

Family with children.

8 - 15 years.
Sphynx

Hairless, medium-sized.

Energetic and adventurous.

Families, couples, or singles.

8 - 14 years.
Balinese

Long-haired.

Friendly and affectionate.

Families.

9 - 15 years.

Get ready for your new cat!

Set up your home before your cat arrives. Learn what to get and how to make it a safe space for your new feline friend.

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Common conditions in cat breeds.

Now you know a little more about characteristics, let’s talk about common conditions that your feline can potentially face. Although it’s not guaranteed your cat will develop an illness over its life, it pays to understand the history and genetics of the breed you choose. 

Regular veterinary checkups, a good diet, and exercise are all things that can help curb or alleviate the challenges of your pet falling sick. Most cats are prone to experiencing ear infections, ringworm, or worms at some point in time,but these conditions are often easily treatable with medication. 

Another common (but more serious) condition that some cats experience is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. HCM causes thickening in the muscular walls of the heart, leading to a decrease in its efficiency. The condition is prevalent in Ragdoll and Persian breeds, but symptoms can be managed if identified early. 

Take a look at some common conditions that different cat breeds are prone to below. Some of these conditions may be covered by pet insurance.#

Skin conditions.

Whether a result of allergies or bacterial infections, they should be treated as early as possible. Mange, ear mites and environmental allergies are common skin conditions seen in cats.

The breeds more prone to these conditions are:

Skin conditions

Ear conditions.

Ear conditions can appear in cats from allergies, bacterial infections, and yeast. Otitis externa and otitis media are common ear conditions seen in cats. 

The breeds more prone to these conditions are:

ear conditions

Gastrointestinal problems.

Digestive problems can occur in cats from hairballs, stress and changes in diet. Diarrhea and worms are common gastrointestinal problems seen in cats.

The breeds more prone to these conditions are:

Gatrointestinal problems

Eye conditions.

If your cat’s eyes appear to be red/ irritated, they may have an eye condition. Dry eyes, conjunctivitis and eye inflammation are common eye conditions seen in cats.

The breeds more prone to these conditions are:

  • Persian.
  • Exotic.
  • Himalayan.
     
eye conditions

Commonly claimed conditions in cats.

Take a look at some commonly claimed conditions^ that different cat breeds are prone to below.

Conditions
 Symptoms can include~
 Highest cost for a single treatment>>
Gastrointestinal tract. condition.

Vomiting or diarrhoea.

Change in appetite.

Flatulence.

Blood or mucous in the faeces.

Constipation. 

Weight loss.

Abdominal pain.

$9,841
Urinary tract disease.

Changes to toileting behaviour, including increased visits to the litter box, straining, or vocalising when urinating, changes in volume of urine passed. 

Increased licking of the genital area.

Changes in colour of urine.

Urinary incontinence.

Swollen abdomen, collapse (in the case of urinary obstruction).

Vomiting, changes in appetite, weight loss.

$15,472
Traumatic accidents (including bite injuries, wounds and broken bones).

Wounds, scratches, pus, bleeding, swelling, heat, pain.

Limping, changes to movement.

Behaviour changes.

Broken claws.

Pain/tenderness.

$20,583
Skin conditions (including infections and allergies).

Scratching, biting, or rubbing the skin.

Signs of irritation including red skin, scabs, bleeding, pustules, or weeping.

Hair loss, flaky skin, texture changes, lumps or an unusual or unpleasant smell.

$4,621
Arthritis.

Decreased activity.

Increased hiding.

Behaviour changes such as increased aggression.

Reluctance to jump, or head up and down stairs.

Limping or favouring one or more limbs.

$2,680

Cat insurance.

There are so many great things about owning a pet, from unconditional love to companionship, but the ongoing costs can add up. If your cat unexpectedly falls sick or is injured, you could face vet bills that aren’t manageable. Pet insurance might help alleviate this burden and help keep your feline protected.

Everyday Pet Insurance offers a range of cover options for cats, such as Basic, Standard, Comprehensive and Comprehensive Plus policies. All levels of cover come with free access to VetAssist, a service that connects you with credible vet advice 24/7.†

Cover your cat today.

Why pick Everyday Pet Insurance?

Comprehensive Plus annual limit.#

Claim up to $30,000 a year.

Comprehensive Plus annual limit#

Claim up to 80% back.*

Get up to 80% back on eligible vet bills.

Claim up to 80% back*

Lifetime cover.‡

Your pet is covered from 8 weeks old for life.

Lifetime cover‡

Introducing GapOnly.®

Claim your benefit on the spot and only pay the gap on eligible claims.=

Introducing GapOnly®

Find out more about these cat breeds.

Domestic Shorthair cat breed information.

Find out more
Domestic Shorthair Cat

Ragdoll cat breed information.

Find out more
Ragdoll

British Shorthair cat breed information.

Find out more
British Shorthair

Sphynx cat breed information.

Find out more
sphynx

Important Information.

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^ Pre-existing conditions and certain illnesses may be excluded. Policy terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, benefit limits, sub-limits, annual condition limits and excess may apply. For details, please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

◇ Symptoms listed are indicative only, others can apply.

>> As at 31/12/2023 based on the previous 12 months of PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd claims data.

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# Policy Terms and Conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Benefit limit amounts vary by level of cover.

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† Offer available to new Everyday Pet Insurance policyholders, and is limited to 1 membership per eligible policy. The free membership offer (valued at $199p.a) is from the date of your policy commencement, provided your Everyday Pet Insurance policy remains active. You are not eligible to redeem the free membership subscription for cash or credit. VetAssist is a separate subscription based service to the Everyday Pet Insurance product, and is provided independently by Everyday Insurance third party service provider, VetChat Services Pty Ltd (VetChat). Click here for full VetAssist Service terms and conditions. Everyday Insurance reserves the right to vary or remove this offer at any time and will provide reasonable notice of any such changes.

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* Limits, waiting periods, exclusions and excesses may apply.

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= The gap is defined as the difference between the vet's invoice and the claim benefit under your policy. Policy terms and conditions apply. GapOnly® is only available at participating Vets. Please visit GapOnly® to search for GapOnly® enabled vets. GapOnly® is a trademark owned by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd (PetSure) (ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183).

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‡ Cover is available for the life of your pet provided you renew your policy each year without any break, lapse or change in the level of Cover. This means once your pet is insured with us and as long as we continue to offer the product, you will be able to renew your policy for that pet for life and your cover level will not be reduced as your pet ages provided you continuously maintain the cover. Cover is subject to the terms and conditions of your renewing policy. See details in your PDS.

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Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time prior to 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436 (Hollard), arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by Hollard’s Authorised Representative (AR) Woolworths Group Limited ABN 88 000 014 675, AR 245476 (Woolworths). Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time on or after 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s AR, Woolworths. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at insurance.everyday.com.au/pet-insurance.

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