Magic Cat Mesh

Being a first-time cat owner, I am sure it is daunting and you have been scrambling around looking for a first time cat owner guide that will cover all the essentials before bringing your fur baby home. From understanding your cat’s needs to adapting to high-rise living, as a first time cat owner myself, this is the guide I wished I had when I first started my journey of keeping a cat. These 7 essential tips will get you started on helping you and your feline friend build a happy and healthy life together.

1. Secure Your Windows and Balconies

Living in Singapore’s high-rise apartments means that windows and balconies are a common risk for cats. Many cats love to perch on ledges or explore high places. You will see in many first time cat owner guides that installing cat safe mesh on windows and balconies is a must to prevent your feline friend from slipping or jumping out.

Being a first time cat owner, this was one of the largest considerations when I was deciding to keep a cat. How would a mesh on my windows affect the entire aesthetics of the home, how much would it cost, this section covers some options you can choose from.

The most budget-friendly option for cat safety is to create a DIY cat mesh by purchasing suitable mesh from a hardware store or online. Consider the size and style of the holes, as overly large holes may be unsafe while excessively small ones can restrict airflow. Measure each window carefully and secure the mesh with zip ties, keeping in mind that the installation can be labor-intensive, taking about two hours per window.

Consider these factors before choosing your DIY solution. Next, carefully measure each window and secure the mesh using plenty of zip ties. This process can be hard work but anything for the safety of your fur baby. I personally have done this before and each set of window took me 2 hours to cut, install and secure the mesh.

DIY Option

Pros:

• Budget friendly
• Large range and type of meshes that you can choose from

Cons:

• Safety can be compromised if not done properly
• Huge home improvement project to take on
• Often static and may have difficulty opening window once mesh is installed

If a DIY solution seems too troublesome or seems unsafe to you, you may want to check out a professional cat mesh installation. This would definitely be more costly than a DIY solution, but if you are looking for convenience and safety, there is no better way than to consult a professional. There are a few cat mesh installation companies to choose from, you definitely want to choose one that has a good track record.

Professional Installation

Pros:

• Ease of mind knowing that safety has been tried and tested
• Convenient

Cons:

• Often more costly depending on your choice of mesh / size of your house

At Magic Cat Mesh, we offer custom mesh solutions that blend seamlessly with the modern aesthetics of Singaporean homes. We would definitely recommend our service with our years of experience and excellent customer reviews, but do your due diligence before settling on your cat mesh installation professional.

Pro Tip: Think about how you are going to maintain and clean your cat mesh as well as accessibility to your windows.

2. Getting Your House Safe

Remove Toxic Plants

Singaporeans love greenery, but not all plants are safe for cats. Popular local plants like money plants, peace lilies, and sago palms can be toxic. Instead, opt for cat-safe plants like areca palms or grow some cat grass indoors for your feline to nibble on.

Safer Alternatives: Opt for cat-friendly plants like cat grass or spider plants to add greenery to your home without compromising safety. Outside of our first time cat owner guide, check out this link for more cat friendly plants that you can replace in your home.

Eliminate Small Hazards

Cats often find small items like hair ties, rubber bands, and coins irresistible, but these can pose serious choking hazards. Always store such items out of reach and provide safe toys that will keep your cat entertained. This is a tip that is often forgone in first time cat owner guides, however, many curious kittens and cats often end up having to go to the vet to get this resolved.

DIY Cat Toy Ideas: Repurpose old socks or cardboard to create engaging toys your cat will love. A cardboard box often gives my cat more entertainment than the expensive cat toys that my cat regularly gets.

Protect Electrical Cords

With Singapore’s reliance on smart appliances, homes often have exposed electrical wires. Protect these with cord organizers or covers, as chewing on wires can be dangerous for your cat. I have 2 fish tanks with many cords that are needed for its optimal performance, when I first got my cat, securing all the wires was a cumbersome task, but if done well, you do not need to do it again. However, do check your wires often as curious kitties may often still bite on wires without you knowing!

Interactive Alternative: Offer your cat chewable toys or treats to satisfy their natural chewing instincts.

3. Provide Vertical and Hidden Spaces

Cats love having a cozy spot where they feel secure. As many first time cat owner guides will tell you, set up a designated area with a soft bed, scratching post, and toys for your cat to enjoy. This is especially important if you have a busy household, as it gives your cat a place to retreat and relax. My magic tip is to give your cat a location where your cat feels 100% secure, when your cat is in that location, whether it is a cat tree, a shelf, do not engage with the cat. Do not even look at the cat – its invisible zone.

Bonus Tip: Elevated spaces like cat shelves or window perches give your cat a vantage point to observe their surroundings safely. In Singapore households, especially where space can be limited, take advantage of putting together a well designed vertical space for your cat to safely reside and longue in.

4. Choosing The Right Food And Water

Food

Food safety is essential in keeping your cat healthy. Avoid feeding your cat human foods like onions, garlic, chocolate, and grapes, which are toxic to cats.

Prioritise wet food. One of the leading causes of feline pet death is from kidney diseases. Ensure that your cat has a moisture rich diet to help prevent kidney diseases when they get older. This advice that I am providing in my first time cat owner guide is from my personal research but please do your due diligence and consult your vet about what is best to feed your feline friend. The following is a general guide on the different kinds of cat food and you can make your own decision from there!

If your cat is still a kitten, remember to feed kitten specific food as kittens have different dietary needs from an adult cat.

Water

Ensure your cat has access to fresh, clean water daily. With Singapore’s tropical climate, hydration is especially important to prevent dehydration. Please consult your vet for more professional feeding advice. As mentioned prior, cats are generally not great at drinking water by themselves so make the activity of drinking water more enticing for them whenever you can! This first time cat owner guide is largely curated from my own personal experience and research, so once again, for more professional advice please consult your vet.

Keep It Fresh: Consider a pet water fountain to encourage your cat to drink more water.

5. Regular Vet Visits

Keeping up with regular vet visits and vaccinations is essential for your cat’s well-being. Singapore has a number of excellent veterinary clinics that provide comprehensive health checks and treatments. Be sure to schedule routine health checks to catch any issues early.

In general, for kittens, there is typically 3 vaccination sessions that they are supposed to go for. Thereafter, as well as for adult cats, a yearly vaccination is required so do prepared to keep up with the regular vaccination sessions as advised by your vet.

Pro Tip: It is important know where is your closest 24/7 vet in case your cat has a medical emergency, otherwise, find a vet that is best for you and your fur baby.

6. Keep Your Cat Mentally Stimulated

What other first time cat owner guides won’t tell you is that having a cat or especially a kitten is a full time job. There is no off switch for your child (cat). Be prepared to spend at least two 15-30 minute play sessions with your cat to keep them mentally stimulated and to keep the weight off! Many cats also suffer from obesity in Singapore, where many owners are unable to stimulate their cats due to their busy schedules.

Cat depression, I’ve read is a real thing… do we really want that for our cats.

7. Be Patient, Build Trust And Have Fun

Your cat may take time to adjust to their new environment, especially if they were rescued or adopted. Learn to be patient, operate on your cat’s terms. Do not force interactions with your cat, especially not if the cat is new to your home! Cats often tend to be very different from dogs and prefer to do things at their own pace. Some pet owners, myself included, consider cats more of room mates rather than a pet.

Give it some time, have some patience, and very soon you and your new baby (once again cat) are going to be the best of friends!

Last but not least, have fun with the whole experience. Do not fall into a routine and make life monotonous for your cat, enjoy yourself, baby talk your cat, play with your cat! This is not something a first time cat owner guide can teach you, share moments that only you and your cat will ever get to experience. There is a myriad of doors that have just opened up once you have decided to take on this responsibility of caring for your very own cat – enjoy the process.

Why Choose Our Cat Mesh Solutions?

At Magic Cat Mesh , we understand that your cat’s safety is your top priority. Our cat meshes are not only functional but also stylish, ensuring your furry friend can enjoy their surroundings without compromising safety. With easy installation and customizable designs, you can have peace of mind knowing your home is cat-proofed.

We are not just a company, our founder has dedicated the nearly the past half decade of his life to this endeavour of keeping your pets safe at home. With guaranteed results, an excellent track record and wonderful testimonials, Magic Cat Mesh is the one stop solution for keeping your pets safe at home, HDB, Condo or Landed.

Final Thoughts
By reading this article, hopefully you will be swayed to bring a cat into your household. By following these tips in our first time cat owner guide and investing in solutions like our high-quality cat meshes, you can ensure your feline friend lives a safe, healthy, and joyful life.

If you have any other questions or things I should add in this first time cat owner guide, do leave a comment below and we can work on it!

Have questions about cat-proofing your home? Contact us today, and let’s work together to keep your cat safe and secure!