Cats – The Purrfect Companion?

Did you know that cats can live up to 15 years when it is given proper care? Imagine the fun and lifelong furry best friend you get to have for years to come! However, before you go out and get yourself the purrfect cat, there are some important things that you might want to consider before getting one.

Budget

Before you begin your search for the purrfect cat for yourself, identifying and being able to financially provide day to day essentials such as cat food, cat litter and other accessories.

Should you get a kitten or an adult? Female or male?

This is going to be a tough one especially knowing that they will be a part of your family for a very long time. Some suggest that getting an adult cat would be a good choice as it has already developed a personality – a good trait that you will never be caught off guard! As for adaptability, both kittens and cats have no issues.

Since the gender of a cat does not dictate its behaviour, getting a male or female one is totally up to you. Remember to spay and neuter them though!

Adopt don’t buy

While it may seem like a good idea to buy a cat from a breeder, we encourage you to adopt one. By adopting a rescue cat, you’re also saving it from being put to sleep. You can simply go to any animal shelters near you as there will be plenty of healthy cats available.

What should you name it

Now, this is where your creativity comes to play. Whether it is Abbie to Zummo, Manja or Lucu – the choices are unlimited.

Settling into the new home

So now you have your cat. What’s next? It is time to go back to the first point – budget. We recommend that you find a pretty dining bowl that suits your budget. These can range from RM 8 to RM 80.

Make sure your cat has ample water available as having sufficient water intakes helps in keeping their health and wellbeing in check as water constitutes about 70% of a cat’s or dog’s body. To do this, you can get a drinking fountain for cats. A drinking fountain ensures that the water is always fresh by the re-circulation system it has.

Besides a healthy diet and sufficient hydration, keeping physical and mental stimulation is a big part of ensuring a cat’s wellbeing. To ensure they get all the stimulation they need, provide them with toys such as a ball that dispenses catnip or small treats every few hours will keep them happy and active. It is also very fun to watch them in action!

Make a splash of colour to your cat’s pen. Place colourful placemats or funny drawings can immediately liven up the place.

Bringing your cat outdoors

Now it is time to show the world your new family member! However, before you start bringing your cat outdoors, make sure that it has all his or her shots up to date as this will help protect your cat from various diseases. Once these shots are taken care of, invest in a pet stroller or a cat harness.

Last but not least, always try to remember to change your cat’s litter box frequently!