Ultimate Crash Course For First-time Cat Owners In Singapore
Congratulations! You’re now the proud pawrent of your new pet cat and exciting times lie ahead! Get ready to embark on a journey of love, joyous moments, and constant learning as you get to know this adorable little newcomer.
Although welcoming a furkid to your family can be incredibly fun, taking care of them is no walk in the park. Rather, it is a rewarding but challenging journey that involves tons of learning. We understand that the prospect of taking care of a furry feline for the first time can be daunting. However, no worries! Here's a handy crash course about how to take care of cats, which is tailored to help first-time feline owners like yourself! Although the information in this article is by no means comprehensive, it will introduce you to the fundamentals of pet cat ownership in Singapore.
This article will be an easy read that provides multiple tips on how to take care of your feline friend. We will highlight common mistakes that cat owners make. More importantly, the article shall also include evidence-based suggestions about what you should do to best take care of your cat. Thus, it will help you to learn how to excel as a cat owner—the smart way.
And for those who are bewildered by the vast spectrum of feline products out there, we’ve curated some cat products with a proven track record that can break you free from your analysis paralysis. As Singapore’s largest cat speciality store, we definitely have the expertise to recommend you the best products.
So, stick around and keep reading!
This article will:
- Introduce what it takes to be a pet cat owner in Singapore
- Outline best practices on how to take care of your feline friend (including common mistakes that first-time cat owners commit)
- List down Singapore’s cat-lovers social groups which you can join
1. WHAT DOES BEING A PET CAT OWNER IN SINGAPORE ENTAIL?
Now, let’s zoom into pet cat ownership in Singapore specifically. There is, regrettably, an official law that prohibits people from rearing cats in their HDB flats. But thankfully, HDB does not strictly enforce this law unless it receives complaints from neighbours, so numerous HDB-dwellers are still able to happily live with their cats.
However, rest assured, you need not be too worried about this ban because with a few easy steps you can minimise the chance of receiving complaints from your neighbours:
- Sterilise your cat as soon as possible
- Keep your cat strictly indoors by installing meshing on your gate and windows, and accompany your feline outdoors by using a harness and leash.
- Exercise good hygiene and cat litter box practices
2. HOW DO WE BEST TAKE CARE OF PET CATS?
Above all, the key to excelling in feline care is treating your cat as your furkid. That means considering your cat to be part of your family by treating it with loving-kindness. Yes, your pet cat may not always behave well, but as a responsible paw parent, you must always be patient. This means consistently finding respectful ways to train your pet to adopt good behaviours (e.g motivating your cat to use its litter box instead of defecating at other parts of the house). In essence, the cornerstone to success in feline care can be summed up in one word: love.
Now, let’s dive deeper into practical tips about feline care!
Choosing the right diet
Your cat needs to eat well so that it can grow well and live well. As a pawrent, you need to feed it with nourishing food regularly. What counts as nutritious food? Because cats are obligate carnivores, they must eat primarily animal protein (e.g salmon, herring, chicken) to thrive.
To supplement their mainly-meat diet, you can also let your cat eat steamed vegetables (e.g chopped carrots, peas, frozen corn, broccoli). Although not all cats like vegetables, veggies are a rich source of vitamins that will boost your feline’s physical health. On this note, can cats eat fruits? The short answer is yes—if it's a safe fruit and eaten in moderation. For example, cats can eat a small amount of bananas, but cannot eat other types of fruits (e.g cherries).
Before feeding your cat, do your research to ensure that the food you offer is not toxic to cats (e.g chocolate).
Additionally, it is crucial to note the difference between cat food versus cat treats. While cat food should be served as the main course during regular meals, you should feed your cat treats sparingly. As the term ‘treat’ denotes, cat treats are an indulgence meant for special occasions. This is because cat treats are junk food. When eaten in bulk these unhealthy snacks will increase your feline’s risk for obesity.
However, cat treats still have some noteworthy redeeming factors. For example, they are a very enticing reward for food-motivated pet cats. So, you can use them as an attractive reward to train your cat to behave well.
Food types |
Advantages | Feeding methods |
Wet food
|
- High moisture content, so will raise your cat’s water intake - Contains more protein than dry food |
Because cat wet food is very nutritious, it can be the bulk of your cat’s daily regular meals. But since wet food is highly perishable, make sure that your cat finishes its food within 30 minutes. |
Dry food
|
- Better for oral health, as kibbles may scrape some plaque off cats’ teeth as they chew - Can be bought in large quantities because stays fresh longer than wet food |
Because cat dry food is nutritious, it can be the bulk of your cat’s daily regular meals. Add about ¼ cup of filtered water to the top of the bowl of kibble to moisten the dry food, so that your cat’s risk for dehydration will fall. |
Treats
|
- Highly enticing, providing cats with a lot of pleasure when consumed - Healthier options are available |
Feed a small quantity of cat treats to your feline occasionally (e.g as a reward for performing good behaviours like completing a trick). |
Milk/ supplements
|
- To add variety to your cat’s meals, you can add milk to your cat’s diet - If your cat cannot consume a balanced diet or has certain medical conditions, food supplements like vitamins may enhance your feline’s nutrition |
- Try offering your cat a tablespoon or two of milk. If you don't see unwanted symptoms within a day, your cat will probably do fine with milk as an occasional treat. - Check with a vet before giving your cat any supplements. Follow the vet-recommended dosage guidelines strictly. |
Recommended cat food:
Finesse Wet Food
Finesse Dry Food
Naturea Grain Free Cats Kittens Dry Food
Recommended milk and supplement:
Feline Natural Milk for Cats and Kittens
Beaphar Multi-Vitamin Paste Duo Active 100g
Francodex Milk Replacer Feed Kitten Formula 200g
Recommended cat treats:
Aatas Cat Happy Time Bonjour Tuna & Chicken 60g
Armonto Small Bite Bun Milk Treats 350g
CattyMan Shrimp Slices 25g
Basic cat supplies
Bowls
While choosing the right kind of food is key, you also have to choose the right bowl for your feline.
- Choose a material aside from plastic (e.g stainless steel), as some cats are allergic to plastic
- Provide a shallow, wide bowl because deep or narrow bowls can cause whiskers fatigue
- Keep your cat's water bowl some distance from its food bowl. The explanation for this might be related to your feline’s primal hunting instincts. If the water supply is too close to the prey, the water may become contaminated.
Recommended products:
Plouffe Anti-Slip Adjustable Elevated Double Bowl Pet Feeder Black Large
Plouffe Smart Thermal Bowl Large
Water fountains
Just like you, your pet cat must drink plenty of water to stay healthy.
Your cat needs a daily amount of about 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of their body weight. For example, if you have a 10-pound cat, they should be drinking between 7 to 9 ounces of water daily.
Instead of manually refilling your cat’s water dish regularly, why not quench your cat’s thirst the easy way? Use a water fountain that provides your cat with a continuous stream of fresh water all day long. Plus, as water in a water fountain is re-circulated, it tastes fresher too!
Recommended products:
Tom Cat Pakeway Pet Drinking Fountain
The Acepet Automatic Drinking System
Zolux Iguazu Silent Water Fountain 3L
Litter boxes & litter
Litter-training your cat should be an easy feat with these simple tips:
- Guide your cat to the litter box if you notice it squatting.
- Place it in the litter box after its meals. This move will help it to associate the box with “bathroom business.”
- Reward your cat with praises and treats when it uses the litter box properly
Hygiene tips:
- Cleaning out the litter tray regularly is extremely important. Cats are hygienic creatures who dislike stepping into a dirty litter box filled with “landmines”. If their litter box is consistently filthy, this may discourage them from using the litter box.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after each clean-up session
Recommended products:
Catidea Bread Cat Litter Box Cream
Snappy Cat Tofu Cat Litter Original 7L
Whiskers2Tail Charcoal pine Wood
Insider tip:
If you’re having a hard time persuading your cat to use the litter box, try adding some herbs like catnip or silver vine to its box to motivate your feline to step into the box. These non-addictive herbs are safe for your cat and induce a natural euphoria, relieving its stress.
Grooming items
A clean cat is a happy cat. These felines are fastidiously clean creatures who spend a large amount of their waking time grooming themselves, but you still need to lend a helping hand. Avoid the common mistakes of assuming that your cat's self-grooming is adequate or that your indoor cat can't have fleas on its coat. You need to help your pet cat to clean hard-to-reach areas like ears and eye contours, as well as trim its nails. Here's a brief guideline on how to groom your cat at home:
Eye cleaning: Dampen a cotton pad with some eye cleaning solution and wipe your cat's eye starting from the inner corner and wipe outwards. Proceed to clean the other eye with a freshly dampened cotton pad. It is inadvisable to apply the solution directly to your cat's eye as there is a high risk of poking its eyes by accident.
Ear cleaning: Place a little bit of liquid ear cleaner (ask your vet for a recommendation) onto a clean cotton ball or gauze. Fold your cat’s ear back gently and wipe away any debris or ear wax that you can see on the underside of its ear. Lift away the dirt and wax rather than rubbing it into the ear. And, do not attempt to clean the canal—probing inside of your kitten’s ear can cause trauma or infection.
Nail trimming: Use a high-quality, sharp clipper or nail scissors specifically designed for use on cats. Cut parallel to the flat of the claw, and clip off only the white tip. Be VERY careful to avoid the quick, which usually appears as a pinkish area that you can see through the translucent claw.
Brushing: For shorthaired cats: Start with a fine-toothed metal comb. Run it through your cat’s fur from head to tail tip. Watch for small pepper-like specks that would indicate the presence of cat fleas. Use a bristle or soft rubber brush next to remove loose hair.
For longhaired cats: Start with a wide-toothed comb to remove debris that may be caught in your cat’s coat. Carefully untangle any knots. Next, use a wire brush or a bristle brush to remove loose hair. Consider using a toothbrush to brush around your cat’s face.
Recommended products:
Zolux Deshedding Brush
Francodex Ear Care Cleansing Lotion For Kittens
Explore our cat grooming items
Insider tip:
Start grooming your pet when it’s young, to help it get used to being touched and held. You can train your older cat by handling them more, but it would be ideal to start early.
3. WHICH LOCAL CAT-LOVERS GROUPS CAN YOU JOIN?
Of course, this article only scratches the surface of what you need to know about cat ownership. Another fun way to learn more about these felines will be to socialise with fellow cat owners. Together, the journey to discovering more about cats can be more exciting. Join the following cat lovers communities for more feline fun!
Cat Lovers Singapore Facebook Group:
Cat Lovers Singapore is created for people to share the daily happenings of their cats and doubling up as a portal to exchange important information regarding adoption and animal health matter
Life@CatSmart Instagram page
This Instagram page is a treasure trove filled with exciting stories about what the office/retail cats of CatSmart (a local pet supplies company) are up to. Stay tuned for engaging behind-the-scenes with our resident kitties!