Are cats generally clean animals or can they carry lots of diseases?

[AnyDream]

I've lived with a kitty-cat in Darwin, so I imagine the sort of diseases etc are fairly similar, given the similarities in climate etc.

Provided you are able to keep up the vacc schedule, the other main things you will need to manage is fleas (using a spot-on treatment on the back of their neck) and a worming schedule - which involves popping a pill down their throat once a month. The worming is really important because there are intestinal parasites in the small creatures (like lizards etc) that they eat. But I imagine the risk from a vaccinated, treated cat is much less than from having rodents running all over the place. It might be worth ringing a vet somewhere like townsville or darwin, as they will have a better idea of what you would need to do than one in the southern states.

[Ginger]

cats are the best. they are so calming to have around you already know i love them though

what about desexing her though? you don't want to end up with a million babies!

[Junglemum]

Lactose intolerant. Who would have thunk it?! Ok, no milk.

Christy- as always a comprehensive answer, thanks so much. If we get kitty i will follow your diet!

I think flea and worm treatment is readily available MD.

Ginger- YOU are the sole reason i'm even contemplating it. I figure you're alright and you love cats.

There is a visiting vet that comes to look after the guard dogs for a security company in Lae. They come once or twice a year apparently, so i was hoping i could get it desexed through them. although i have no idea if that is possible.

What's the go with those kitty litter trays? Do you have to have one? We have a HUGE yard and i'd be happy if it just went a poo'd at the back of the garden somewhere. Is it possible to train a cat to do that? What's the advantage of a tray?

[AnyDream]

The advantage of a tray is to give them somewhere to go when they are inside the house (esp if you have a cat which is kept in at night when they are active), but also handy if they are litter-tray trained for those few occasions when you might need to keep them in.

[Arimeh]

We have a litter tray cos our cats are inside cats and we don't want them pooping in the shower - they already drink the water there after we've had one.....