Cats offer perfect companionship and comfort to solo owners

Cats and creative products with images of the animals have become increasingly popular with single people in China.

They include a limited-edition cat's paw mug released this spring by coffee giant Starbucks, which has been hard-to-find for Chinese customers.

Priced at 199 yuan ($30), the double-glass mug contains an inner pink cup, which is shaped like a cat's paw and can be seen when liquid is poured in.