After watching Captain Marvel, we somehow love Flerkens even more. If you want to adopt your own Flerken, there are some things you need to know in to take care of them and love them.
Carol Danvers was obviously the star of Captain Marvel, but we can’t help but fall in love with Goose the “cat.” Her fanged tendrils make her a fearsome defender of any galaxy in any dimension, so our obsession with Flerkens is more than justified.
Beyond redecorating your apartment with some scene-stealing Flerken Funkos, Goose probably inspired you to adopt your own fluffy (or hairless) Flerken or Flerkitten.
Goose helps the people she loves, and we think she’d want people who are prepared for the responsibility of taking care of a Flerken to do the same. We might not harness thousands of pocket dimensions in our mouths or have multiple fanged mouths, in general, but we do know there are a lot of Earth cats in animal shelters, humane societies, and other rescue organizations that need permanent, warm homes.
Captain Marvel has already prompted some Flerken-inspired adoption events thanks to Goose’s role. While loving your nonfictional Flerken (i.e., your Earth cat) is the first and most important step to taking care of them, we’ve curated some Fury-approved tips to help you give your future Flerken the best home possible.
Make sure they’re healthy
Your new addition to your family might seem completely healthy, and your adoption paperwork could back up that claim, but every cat — Earthbound or otherwise — needs to see a veterinarian at least once a year. After all, your Flerken needs routine vaccinations and checkups to make sure their physical health and behavioral habits are perfect. Your cat’s behavior is a primary component of their physical health. Since they can’t talk beyond their adorable meows, they use non-vocal cues to help you understand anything that’s making them uncomfortable or causing them actual harm.
Beyond taking your cat to the vet for check-ups, immunization, and spaying/neutering, it’s also obviously necessary that your feline friend always has enough food, water, and a clean litter box. Grooming is another essential to your cat’s health regime and a potentially dangerous one at that.
Your own Flerken probably won’t have a powerful necrotic scratch, but clipping your cat’s nails when they’re too long can be difficult because cutting too much can seriously hurt them. Clipping your cat’s nails is a lengthy process because it can be stressful for them, especially if they aren’t used to it. Acclimating them to a nail clipping routine can help eliminate their stress, but your vet can show you the proper way to trim their nails, which is especially useful for newbie Flerken owners.
Just like you shop around to find your perfect healthcare provider, sometimes you need to shop around for the perfect vet for your Flerken pal. Plus, researching pet insurance options can be a beneficial way to lower the costs of any unexpected visits and charges. Once you adopt a fluffy friend, they’re apart of your family, so it’s only natural that they deserve their version of healthcare and health insurance too.
Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN MARVEL. Goose. Photo: Film Frame. ©Marvel Studios 2019
Don’t let them eat anything they’re not supposed to
Flerkens and Earth cats alike have a habit of snacking on weird and nauseating things — edible and inedible alike. My Flerken had a taste for shag carpet. It was gross, unhealthy, and a costly diet overall. While some Flerken-proofing can help you avoid them from gnawing on any cords or wires, cat-proofing your home can take time and a healthy amount of trial and error, particularly when it comes to removing anything toxic so that your Flerken doesn’t get the change to get their mouth on it.
Though not necessarily edible, a lot of essential oils you use as an incense or in your humidifiers are incredibly toxic to cats and dogs. Beyond avoiding poisonous oils and indoor plants, don’t give in to your Flerken’s pouty eyes when they’re begging for your food. Seriously, it’s not worth their upset stomachs or worse.
Just as every cat is different, their appropriate dietary needs are also different, so make sure you ask your veterinarian if cat is getting enough of the right nutrients in their diet and not so much of the bad ingredients (like ash, which is a common ingredient in dry food especially, but it can harmful if eaten in excess and depending on your pet’s overall health).
Create a Flerken-friendly home
As a noncontextual spoiler, Captain Marvel taught us that everyone needs a supportive home that feels like a, well, home, and that extends to your new furry friend. The Captain Marvel film didn’t really give us a tutorial on Flerken care or Flerken home decor, but typically a cat tower, a scratching post, a warm bed, and a lot of preventive measures are a good start to keeping your Flerken entertained and safe.
Flerken-proofing can vary from feline to feline. However, every cat (imposter or not) needs an array of toys. You’re bound to be away from home for work, classes, or other things, and your cat needs to keep themselves occupied. Sure, they might choose to nap instead of playing with their hordes of toy mice or any automatic toys you left on in your absence, but they’ll become a lot more useful when you’re home. After all, Flerkens love to play, and they need outlets to exercise their energy.
Be patient and just love them
Any acts of rebellion from your Flerken, from scratches on the furniture to gnawed up shoelaces, are your pet’s way of telling you that they’re stressed. Trying to figure out what’s specifically bothering your cat might be difficult to diagnose, so describing their behavior to your vet could help you find a way to make a better environment for your kitty.
Flerkens have a shorter lifespan than humans. You might love and take care of many Flerkens in your life. However, you and your family are probably the only human companions they’ll have in their lives (unless you adopted a senior kitty, in which case, they’re still grateful for you), so be patient with them.
Whether they accidentally kick sand out of the litter box, chew through a passage in your favorite book, or puke on your Jen Bartel Captain Marvel gym shoes, remember that these mistakes are temporary and fixable. Don’t yell at them or rub their nose in their wrongdoings because any loud verbal punishments (and obviously any physical discipline) can have lasting and damaging effects on your cat.
You don’t want to upset your furbaby and create a cycle that just continues to stress them out while they’re trying to communicate with you and let you what’s bothering them in the first place. Remember to be calm around them because they aren’t trying to sabotage your home. Give them extra care and pay attention to their behavior when they seem to act up. After all, Flerkens aren’t messy or jerks unless they have a reason to be.
The most important step to taking care of your Flerken is to just love them. Give them scratches went they ask for it. Take pictures of them while they’re napping. Appreciate their adorable meows in the mornings, the afternoons, before bed, and any time in between. Cherish every moment you have with them because, while Earth cats aren’t endangered like Flerkens, you only have a limited amount of time with them, and they deserve all the love and affection you can give them.
There are times when your Flerken will be excessively needy, apathetic, timid, and playful. Regardless of their mood, know that they love that you’re their parent. As long as you use your powers to make sure they’re cared for, adored, and health, you’ll have a happy kitty companion.