In my eyes, cats are pets, but in the eyes of some people, cats are animals. This can lead to completely different ways of treating cats. During the time I have been raising cats, I have been learning about cat-related knowledge. Until today, I still take notes whenever I come across new knowledge. In short, scientific feeding. Here, I provide some cat-raising knowledge for cat owners to refer to.
When I was young, my family in the countryside also had a cat. We never considered neutering, what cat food to eat, or keeping it in a rented house. It managed to survive, and my grandmother probably didn't worry much about it getting lost because if it did, it did. There wouldn't be much loss. Actually, I don't know what happened to it later. It obviously died, but how and where it died, I have no idea. But for my current cat, I care a lot about these questions.
If an unneutered cat that eats leftovers and roams around can still survive, why do we, as the new generation of cat owners, pursue such detailed things?
Because we see pets as family members, whether it's cats, dogs, or other exotic pets, we not only care about whether they are alive, but also whether they are living well. Based on this, we are willing to spend money on them, which also emphasizes their low position in the family.
My knowledge of raising cats started with adopting Cola. To understand cats, the first lesson I learned was the "Essential Course for Cat Owners: How to Live Happily with Your Cat" on Zhihu. I even became a Zhihu Salt Selected member to watch this video course. The author is a professional international cat behavior consultant.
(In order to write this article, I specifically visited the author's Zhihu page. The author's updates show that he likes the German dual system. I also learned about the German dual system. Maybe this is what they call "substitute messengers always attract each other".)
I learned a lot from this video course, but as of today in 2024, I only remember one thing:
The behavior pattern of cats, or what cats do throughout their lives: hunting-eating-grooming-sleeping.
The interactive cat toy we bought satisfies the cat's hunting needs, but for humans, it satisfies our desire to watch cats.
As for eating, it's about what food to eat, whether to eat snacks, what water to drink, whether to use a water dispenser, whether to use nutritional supplements, and so on.
Grooming is self-cleaning, and sleeping is a part of a cat's life. It's okay for them to sleep for 18 hours a day.
If I have the chance in the next life, I want to be a pet cat in the home of a cat lover. If I don't have the chance, then let me be an unthinking caterpillar.
Cat Knowledge#
(As I was writing this, I realized that the homepage link of the WeChat public account cannot be shared unless it's a QR code. And I don't want to include images here, so I can't share it. I can't help but sigh that in 2024, China's internet products are becoming more and more closed. Giving you a little convenience is considered a favor. Many platforms have excellent content creators, but due to platform restrictions, you can't find them until it's too late. This is also one of the reasons why I want to share on my website, to help you discover high-quality content.)
WeChat Public Accounts to Follow#
- 爱猫 (Love Cats)
An honest content creator. Overall, speaking the truth in China doesn't end well. When I saw him, I saw myself in the past. He recommends cat products, and while I suggest you judge for yourself whether they are good, I strongly recommend avoiding the ones he warns against. He has his own pet brand, and I've tried their cat litter, which was good, but the other products are a bit expensive.
Impressive articles by him:
Exclusive! Exposing the Secrets of Cat Litter Manufacturing Plants!
- 猫咪研究室 (Cat Research Lab)
Also an honest content creator. You can have your own opinions about his recommendations, but if he advises against something, I suggest you avoid it.
Impressive articles by him:
- 猫研所 (Cat Research Institute)
A science popularization content creator, very productive. I don't have many impressive articles from him, but I can say that he is a very beginner-friendly public account. Most of his science articles have references, so he doesn't just talk nonsense or follow the crowd.
Due to their expertise, I bought their cat behavior video course, but it's been a while and I haven't watched it yet because I prefer reading over watching videos.
Articles by him:
How to Identify Whether a Cat is Hiding Pain? Be Alert to Signs of Cat Illness!
- 猫与爱的世界 (Cats and the World of Love)
A storyteller content creator, lots of pictures, collects stories about cats from all over the world, very friendly to cat lovers and those who raise cats online.
Articles by him:
- RawMeat
Codename "Chef," a professional who shares high-quality cat-related content, in-depth science popularization. Updates are not frequent, but worth a look.
Impressive articles by him:
315 Poisoned Pet Food: Doubts About Domestic Pet Food Ingredients...
- 喵呜不停 (Meow Nonstop)
Gave up a high-paying job to become a street cat photographer, taking pictures of cats all over China. I call him an artist.
Articles by him:
A Little Orange Yawning in the Late Cherry Blossom
Some people ask why I didn't mention popular reviewers like Lao Yang. My evaluation is that they have become too money-oriented and are not worth watching. Lao Yang strongly promotes Gaoye's products, but there are many problems with Gaoye. After learning about their actions, I stopped watching them.
Bilibili Content Creators to Follow#
As I mentioned earlier, I rarely use videos to acquire knowledge, so the following are mostly for entertainment purposes.
- 和猫住 (Living with Cats)
Mainly videos about rescuing stray cats. Who can resist being a hero to another sentient being?
- 王天霸是只猫 (Wang Tianba is a Cat)
Shows the world from a cat's perspective. Who can resist a cat with a camera on its head?
- 招财是狸花猫 (Zhaocai is a Calico Cat)
Fighting with cats on a cool mat. This theme never gets old.
Cat Healthcare#
I am currently only going to one pet hospital in Shenzhen, called Union Pet Hospital. It started in Shenzhen, but I have seen it gradually expand to other cities in the Pearl River Delta.
Of course, you may have better options because I have become accustomed to this hospital and have no need to try other hospitals and write reviews.
But if you don't want or can't choose this hospital, how do you find a good pet hospital?
What is most important in choosing a pet hospital? First, rule out cheap options because in China's environment, even expensive doesn't guarantee quality, let alone cheap.
I believe the most important factors are professionalism and transparency. Professionalism means the hospital can treat any problem your cat may have, and transparency means the hospital doesn't push unnecessary treatments and charges fair fees.
When I first started raising cats, my cat Cola had a large incision for neutering, and the overall cost was around 1200-1400 yuan. I can't remember the exact amount.
Later, as my knowledge of cat care grew, I discovered that the flank incision was a better option and also cheaper. Since then, I have taken all my cats to Union Pet Hospital for neutering, and the cost has never exceeded 800 yuan. You can check their Meituan page for the specific prices. They are usually around that range.
I don't know if the hospital that charged me 1400 yuan lacked skills or just wanted to make more money from me. Either way, I can tolerate a few hundred yuan, but I can't accept my cat suffering more pain.
Also, as mentioned earlier, there are hospitals like Xin Ruipeng that you should avoid. They leave customers hanging and disappear after causing brain death. Would you dare to go there? I certainly don't want to take that risk. A gentleman doesn't stand under a dangerous wall. Before going to a pet hospital, do some research.
I can't guarantee that all the doctors at Union Pet Hospital are conscientious, but I have been to their Shajing, Tangwei, Minle, and Gushu branches, not because I deliberately wanted to try them, but because I really moved houses that many times, and I am satisfied with their service.
So, take it as a reference.
Cat Food and Supplies#
The following are links from JD.com, so you won't get confused. In reality, I mostly buy from Pinduoduo to save some money. Domestic products generally don't have counterfeit goods, only exaggerated claims and near-expiration dates. So, find a trustworthy brand and pay attention to the expiration date.
In the beginning, when I had a higher salary, I mostly bought imported cat food. One brand I consistently used was Acana, a cat food from Canada. Later, when I became unemployed and had a pay cut, I had to consider domestic brands. After learning more, I realized that imported brands also have issues, and domestic brands are not without merits. My belief is that Chinese people have the ability to produce good products, but the market environment that favors inferior products has caused many problems.
Since two or three years ago, I started switching to trusted domestic brands. Below are three cat foods that I have verified to be good.
I have recommended many things in this article, but it's purely a sharing from a cat lover. There is no sponsorship or brand promotion, so you can read it with confidence. I didn't mention it at the beginning of the article because only cat lovers will see this part. I don't need to tell everyone that I didn't receive any money. I just need to tell you, fellow cat lovers.
Cat Food Currently Used by My Cats#
Not recommending something doesn't mean it's not good. You can check Cat Research Lab or Lao Ba's reviews to get more information. Cross-reference and avoid relying on just one content creator. The cat food I mention below is verified by multiple sources.
I'll give an example. Let's say you watched reviews from Lao Yang and Lao Ba, and they both recommended a cat food from A Diao, saying it's good. But then you read reviews from Cat Research Lab and Cat Research Institute, and they say the same cat food is garbage. What would be the correct choice? If you say you trust A Diao and it's probably fine, so you buy it, I think that's a problem.
Regardless of who is right or wrong, for this kind of cat food, which I call controversial cat food, the best choice is not to buy it. Don't take unnecessary risks for yourself and your cat. Cats can't speak and can't tell you if the food tastes good. Even if it tastes good, it doesn't mean it's nutritious. So, the best thing you can do is avoid controversial cat food and not gamble.
Many times, self-media reviewers turn bad things into good things, and it only takes a little effort. But if they say good things are garbage, that requires a lot of effort. So, cross-reference and avoid making risky judgments.
Cat Research Lab has recommended their baked cat food before, mentioning that they have their own factory and patented enzyme technology, which allows for better absorption. So, this is a good option.
[好主人（CARE）金装好主人猫粮 2.0](https://item.m.jd.com/product/100009521685.html)
During my unemployment and pay cut, this cat food helped me through that period. Later, I found out from Cat Research Lab that this cat food is not only cheap but also of good quality. You can buy it.
> Note: They also have a 20% freeze-dried cat food. There is a lot of freeze-dried food, but my cats vomit after eating it. I'm not sure if it's a quality control issue or if my cats eat too quickly. If you want to buy their freeze-dried cat food, my suggestion is to start with a trial pack.
Forget it, since there is controversy, it's best not to buy it. Removed recommendation on 20240507.
Reasons are the same as above. It's cheap and of good quality, a safe choice. I also repurchase it frequently.
Cat Litter Currently Used by My Cats#
I mainly use bentonite cat litter, followed by mixed litter, and rarely use tofu litter. This is related to cats' natural instincts. In theory, they prefer bentonite litter, and there is also the issue that if tofu litter is not cleaned in time, it can attract some insects, and I hate bugs.
The litter I was most satisfied with in the beginning was Platinum Everclean. I also recommend this litter, known as the Hermès of cat litter. It is the best in terms of odor control and clumping. However, it's too expensive for me. If you have the money or are troubled by cat litter, or if it's on sale, I strongly recommend using this litter.
Now, let's talk about more affordable options for daily use.
Pure bentonite: 怡亲猫砂钠基矿石低尘膨润土
I buy this one a lot. It works well and I have repurchased it multiple times. It often goes on sale.
Mixed litter: lorde 里兜【定制款】小黑核 plus 豆腐膨润土混合猫砂
This one has a 10 billion subsidy on JD.com, so it's popular on JD.com. It works well and is a cost-effective option.
Other Supplies for My Cats#
I have bought many litter boxes, both domestic and imported, fully enclosed ones, ones from IKEA, and even the double-layer litter box from Iris. But in the end, I threw them all away and kept this one.
It is said to be inspired by a Korean brand's design, but the design is actually very simple. However, it's large enough and works well. It's also easy to clean. I have two of them for my three cats.
The same product is also available from Mango Pet, but I don't know who came first.
(I tried to provide a link from Pinduoduo, but I found that Pinduoduo is even more heavyweight, and the user experience is probably worse than JD.com, so I gave up. You can search for it yourself.)
I chose the largest size: 110x75cm. With a semi-enclosed litter box, cats tend to bring litter out, and this product can solve part of the problem.
The same product is also available from Petbee, but I don't know who came first.
Tips for Getting Along with Cats#
To be continued...