Messi is 90lbs heavy - no, not that legendary Messi. This Messi is a big cat from the Puma family. He has a carnivorous diet and is similar to his other big cat siblings as it loves to hunt in the wilderness. But something is different about this particular cat. Russian couple Mariya and Aleksandr Dmitriev first met the cub at Saransk Zoo in Penza when Messi was only 8-months-old. He has two other siblings, Neymar and Suarez, but among the three cubs born, Messi was the weakest. Puma is an exotic animal, bearing the same name as the brand of famous sportswear.
Dmitriev decided to add Messi into his family and now, the Puma is another spoiled cat that loves to sleep under the blankets and do tricks. Now, Dmitriev's family lives in a one-bedroom apartment with a (very big) cute and spoiled cat! Check out the story below!
Dmitriev decided to add Messi into his family and now, the Puma is another spoiled cat that loves to sleep under the blankets and do tricks. Now, Dmitriev's family lives in a one-bedroom apartment with a (very big) cute and spoiled cat! Check out the story below!
l_am_puma -Via
Messi and his two other siblings were named in honor of Russia for hosting four matches of the World Cup. Messi was sold to the zoo when he was three months old, but unfortunately, it became sick and that was when Dmitriev spotted the beautiful animal.
l_am_puma -Via
l_am_puma -Via
The couple, especially Dmitriev, has long planned to keep a different cat species, the lynx. Similarly exotic, but Dmitriev saw Messi and knew this is his fate.
l_am_puma -Via
Undoubtedly, the two of them went through a lot of discussion and considering whether they should even buy an exotic cat as a pet. From financial position to moral values, but the two had a strong wish and couldn't forget Messi's face.
l_am_puma -Via
l_am_puma -Via
The zoo gave them the green light, which of course, surprised the couple. After taking Messi home, the first challenge they had to face was to nurse him back to health. While it might be a wildcat, Messi has health complications and even today, adult Messi is only 2/3 of the average adult Puma size.
l_am_puma -Via
l_am_puma -Via
While he initially does not exercise much, now Messi loves to take a lot of walk every day. The couple mentions that they own a cat, but he has daily activities similar to dogs. The house is not big enough of a playground, so they have to bring him outside a lot.
l_am_puma -Via
l_am_puma -Via
Wild animal handlers did not work well, but they finally found a dog school willing to take in Messi. Now, the spoiled big cat knows 10 tricks (if he ever feels like doing them!).
l_am_puma -Via
l_am_puma -Via
Far from the wild behavior a wild puma would show, Messi is very well-behaved and tamed. Just like cats, he can get agitated at times, but has never injured or even hurt anyone. Messi loves people.
l_am_puma -Via
And now, Messi even has got his own fanbase! Messi's daily life as a happy, housecat can be found on Instagram and YouTube. Currently, his Instagram account has 589 thousands followers and 170 thousands subscribers on YouTube. His videos have reached more than 3 million views!
l_am_puma -Via
l_am_puma -Via
The couple also adjusted their home for their new pet. They have the hallway turned into his personal playing and hiding space with bamboos, stairs to climb and a big hole to hide it.
l_am_puma -Via
See how spoiled this cat is?
l_am_puma -Via
Dmitriev and Mariya received not only positive but also negative feedbacks from environmentalist and animal rights activists. Most of them involve the fact that wild big cats should not be allowed to be domesticated.
l_am_puma -Via
l_am_puma -Via
But the couple stand by their decision and new family member. They are also worried that the cat won't be able to survive in the wild, having been kept in zoos and home since its early life.
l_am_puma -Via
l_am_puma -Via
Check out his daily activities on YouTube!
And necessary daily care of a Puma!
