What should a newbie do when getting a cat for the first time? What do I need to prepare? Everyone loves cute cats, but for those who have never owned a cat, it's not easy to take the first step of becoming a cat slave. Many people say that owning a cat is easier than owning a dog because you don't need to take your cat for a walk, but there are still a lot of things you need to know about owning a cat, and here's the "Beginner's Cat Slave Guide" that we're going to share with you, so read on!
What are the basics of owning a cat?
1️⃣. Utensils (essential): Prepare suitable utensils for your cat, including food bowls and water bowls, which are the most basic utensils needed for keeping a cat! If you can prepare a water dispenser for your pet, that would be an even better choice.
2️⃣. Feed (essential): New cats are advised to buy professional cat feed at the beginning, and after some experience, you can decide whether to switch your cat to a wet or raw diet.
3️⃣. Cat litter & litter box (essential): Most cats will poop and pee in the litter box without special training, so don't forget to prepare cat litter and a litter box!
4️⃣. Nail clippers (essential): Your cat's nails will continue to grow and domestic cats usually have fewer opportunities to have their nails sharpened, so a cat-specific nail clipper is also essential.
5️⃣. Outdoor cage (essential): Don't trust your cat-catching skills too much, an outdoor cage is a must-have for your cat. When you go out, please put your cat in a dedicated cage or bag to prevent it from running around in a panic and getting into trouble.
6️⃣. Litter box: Cats sleep more than 10 hours a day, so you can prepare a dedicated litter box for your cat.
7️⃣. Cat jumping platform: Apart from eating and sleeping, it is also very important for your cat to exercise moderately, so it is recommended that you purchase a cat jumping platform or cat teaser to allow your cat to exercise moderately and relax.
What kind of home environment is suitable for keeping a cat? How much space do I need to keep a cat?
1. Enough space for activities
Although the space needed to keep a cat is much smaller than that of a dog, there is still a need to provide the cat with enough space to move around. In principle, the bigger the space, the better, at least the cat can have room to run around, and there are many cat slaves who live with their cats in suites with larger ping sizes.
2. Don't make the environment too dirty
A messy environment makes it difficult to find your cat, and a dirty environment may cause your cat to accidentally eat dirty things, and may also cause your cat to develop skin and respiratory problems, so it is essential to keep the environment hygienic.
3. Whether there are other pets
Some cats are very affectionate but cannot get along with other animals. If there are other pets in the home, please be especially careful to assess whether your cat can integrate into the environment.
4. External windows are preferred
An exterior window is a big plus! However, newbie cat slaves should be careful to ensure that all protective measures are in place to prevent your cat from falling out of the window, which could result in a regrettable accident.
Things to do before bringing your cat home
1. Professional Veterinarian Examination
It is recommended that before you bring your cat home, you should go through a basic examination by a professional veterinarian, including blood tests, internal and external deworming, etc., and then go to an animal hospital to receive your cat's 5-in-1 vaccination one to two weeks after you bring your cat home.
2. Sufficient patience and distance
Not all cats are very affectionate right away, especially when they come to a brand new environment, they will inevitably be nervous and scared, and even difficult to approach. If your cat hides a lot at first, don't disturb him at this time! Give your cat time to get used to the new environment and let his guard down as he builds up a sense of trust, which usually takes some time.
3. Food Tricks
Aside from not bothering him, offering tasty treats is one of the best ways to build trust quickly! Once your cat realizes that you will provide him with good food and that you won't hurt him, he will be more and more willing to get close to you!
How to check if you are suitable for owning a cat?
Owning a cat is something that can take more than 10 years, so don't just take a cat home when you think it's cute. To you, owning a cat may just be a part of your life, but to a cat, it's a lifetime home, so please be prepared and have the determination to take care of it for the rest of your life before deciding to get a cat. Therefore, it is recommended that people who are busy and seldom stay at home, people who may move in the next few years and are unable to bring their cats with them, or couples who are not yet in a stable relationship should think carefully about whether or not they should get a cat.
Should I get a kitten or an adult cat?
Kittens are adorable, but even experienced cat owners may not know how to take care of kittens, so for inexperienced novices, it is recommended that you keep an adult cat! If you happen to find a kitten in need of care, it is also highly recommended that you leave it to an experienced veteran, as kittens are relatively fragile in terms of body functions and immune system, and raising a kitten without experience is relatively risky.
What are the benefits of owning a cat?
1. Companionship
Having a cat with you in your life is a very happy thing. Compared to having no one at home, knowing that there is a cat waiting for you and greeting you when you open the door is something that all cat owners enjoy very much.
2. Healing
Cats are really adorable. For those who love cats, no matter hugging them, touching them or even just looking at them, you can feel your body, mind and soul being healed, and there are many people who love the smell of cats so much that they have to do the "cat sucking ritual" every day. If you feel healed because of these behaviors, you are probably a potential cat slave suitable for owning cats!
3. Meet new friends
When you have a cat, a part of your life will naturally be taken up by your cat, and you will usually make new friends or interact more frequently with friends who also have cats.
What are the disadvantages of owning a cat? What are the problems you may encounter?
1. The responsibility of taking care of your cat
As mentioned above, owning a cat is a lifelong endeavor, so you'll need to prepare food and water for him every day, as well as clean up after him in the litter box, which is why people who own cats are called "cat lackeys," or "cat slaves" for short, because you'll need to serve him three meals a day!
2. Extra expenses
Regardless of whether you are a poor or rich cat owner, owning a cat will incur an additional expense. In addition to purchasing the necessary equipment for your cat, the cost of cat food and cat litter is also a regular monthly expense, not to mention the fact that if there is a problem with your cat's health, it will be another significant expense to seek veterinary help.
3. Difficulty in traveling
It is a headache to go out of town after owning a cat because cats do not prepare their own meals, so you may need to spend money on a temporary stay at a motel or find a trusted friend or relative to help feed your cat, and these are not as reassuring as taking care of your own, so this is something you need to evaluate before owning a cat.
4. Need to change your home furnishings
Cats like to climb, play with small objects as toys, and scratch furniture to sharpen their nails. These natural behaviors will force you to make some adjustments to your home furnishings, such as putting away fragile items, avoiding placing items in high places, etc. If your cat's sofa isn't made of scratching material, you should be prepared for the sofa to be scratched by your cat.
What are the channels for owning a cat?
In addition to buying from qualified and legal pet owners, and in line with the recent trend of "adopting instead of buying", you can also choose to visit stray animal shelters around the world, which are usually filled with adorable cats looking for homes.
Other FAQs & Points to Note about Cat Ownership
How much does it cost to raise a cat?
In terms of basic expenses, the monthly cost of food and litter for a cat will cost at least NT$2-3,000 or more, and the initial purchase of the supplies needed to raise a cat will also cost around NT$2-3,000, or slightly more if you choose better feeds and litter, etc. If the cat has health problems, it will be an additional cost to find a veterinarian to treat the problem.
Can I keep my cat in my room?
Some cat slaves keep their cats in their rooms, but as mentioned above, it is important to allow the cat enough space to move around, as well as to clean the litter box more frequently to avoid odors from the cat's feces that may not be removed in time.