Owning a cat is a wonderful thing. When it first meows at you, falls asleep peacefully beside you for the first time, or happily shows its belly while playing, you'll marvel at how adorable this little creature is and want to give it the best of everything. Many new cat parents worry about not being able to care for a cat properly before getting one. Actually, cats are very resilient and not as fragile as we might think. With proper feeding and loving care, most cats can stay with us for many, many years. (The following content is just some adoption advice for those who want to become cat owners. If there are any omissions, please feel free to leave a comment to supplement.)
Examine your own objective conditions
1. Cats are delicate and very sensitive animals. Frequent changes in their living environment are a major taboo for cat owners. Before you want to bring a cat home, please ask yourself very seriously: Can you provide the cat with a stable and relatively comfortable living environment and not abandon it due to objective reasons such as job changes, family members not allowing it, pregnancy and childbirth, etc.?
2. Owning a cat is an expensive business. Do you have a stable source of income to cover the cat's daily expenses, as well as uncertain costs such as vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and medical treatment?
If you can get a positive answer to all the above questions, then congratulations! For the next ten years or so, you will have a little elf warmly accompanying you.
How to get a cat
We certainly encourage adoption over buying. Our platform provides channels for both giving away and adopting cats, and we will also implement a mini-program in the future to provide more convenient services. We hope to create a free and convenient adoption platform, where you're sure to meet your perfect match.
The advantage of adoption lies in its lower cost. Compared to purebred cats, adopted cats only require a token adoption fee or some cat food to give to the rescuer as a token of gratitude; of course, this is not mandatory. Furthermore, if the kitten has already been dewormed, vaccinated, or even spayed/neutered, it can save the adopter a significant amount of money.
However, if you have a particular fondness for a certain breed, it's recommended that you purchase from a reputable cattery. Never trust online or WeChat videos selling cats, otherwise you might end up with a "sunrise cat" (a cat that dies young) and have no recourse. Furthermore, don't choose a Scottish Fold cat based on your own preference or the words of unscrupulous sellers. Folding ears is a genetic condition that can cause significant suffering for the cat and its owner later on.
Preparations before adoption
1. Enclose the balcony and install sturdy and stable screens. Don't take chances, because you can't predict any accidents before they happen. Cats aren't as intelligent as we imagine; a flock of birds flying by or an insect clinging to the window can easily pique their curiosity and lead to tragedy. So, as pet owners, we must take all necessary precautions to prevent such incidents from occurring.
2. Keep dangerous items out of reach of cats. Any sharp or fragile objects (such as knives or glassware) pose a potential danger to cats, especially kittens, who are curious, active, and easily cut. Thread-like objects (especially yarn or loose threads) can have disastrous consequences if swallowed.
In addition, plants, foods, or kitchen and bathroom cleaners that are toxic to cats should be kept out of their activity area as much as possible, such as coffee, chocolate, lilies, night-blooming jasmine, and azaleas. In case of poisoning, seek veterinary care immediately.
3. Purchasing daily necessities.
1) Essential items to prepare in advance: cat carrier, cat food, food bowl, litter box, cat litter
2) Necessities that can be purchased later: combs, nail clippers, pet shampoo, dental care products
3) Non-essential items – nutritional pastes/hairball remedies, various medications for regulating the digestive system, vitamins, taurine, and other nutritional supplements.
4) Non-essential items – cat toys, cat bed, cat tree
You can choose whether to purchase the above items depending on your financial situation.
After bringing your cat home, your life as a cat owner officially begins. Congratulations on finally becoming a cat owner!
In conclusion
When I first brought my cat home, I was a complete novice, not even knowing how to use a litter box. During that time, I was extremely careful with my cat, afraid of anything going wrong. A year has passed, and my worries haven't come true. My cat is healthy, plump, and lively. Seeing this fills me with joy. Actually, I think emotional care for a cat is more important than providing it with a better material life. Especially after recent events, I can't help but realize that cats need a lifelong owner. If you're unsure or unable to provide that, please don't bring them home. It's a huge harm to the cat and a sign of irresponsibility on your part.
Finally, I hope every cat is lucky enough to find a loving home that will cherish it for life; and I hope every cat owner is lucky enough to have a healthy and long-lasting feline companion.
