how do you choose just one cat??

[badger]

I have a question for all you cat rescuers. While I've grown up with cats, we've only ever had one pair that really liked each other. As in grooming and sleeping together.

If I were to choose a cat that has a friend, or is a sibling who grew up together, will they be affected by their separation?

[bmccasland]

Every individual is different. My only experience was with the death of one of a pair. Herald and Erin were best of buds, he was her "big" brother in may ways, including mass, easily twice her size. Erin was the runt of her litter, was sick much of her life, and despite efforts from me and her vet, had a shorter life, passing after 11 years. Anyway, for a while Herald moped and looked for her, but I think he knew she was dieing too. But we cuddled, and life went on. I gave him some extra treats, life's routine continued (cats like a stable routine too).

Younger cats go off and explore the world, making new friends along the way. Each of my cats were adopted as individuals, so who makes friends, or only tolerates the existance of the other is entirely up to them.

Any kitty you pick will be fine.

[jessmarimba]

Depends on the cat! Most will be fine. I had two that hated each other and one died of cancer - the other one was very depressed for a few weeks until I got her another friend. It wasn't so much the cat she was attached to as the company.

Slightly different situation, but my friend's cat had her only litter of kittens taken away too early (before she was adopted), and eleven years later she still mothers a litter of socks.

[PscyclePath]

While I'm not that much of a cat person, my cats have usually saved me the trouble by picking me, I guess. The neighbor way down the road apparently has a cat factory of some sort, and occasionally a kitten gets lost and turns up in the yard. I don't particularly care for cats, but I absolutely can't abide hungry cats, and so they get a square meal, and settle in for the duration. They officially have names, but generally answer to "Hey, Cat!"

[badger]

yeah, my two hate each other, too. When my younger one went in for his radioactive iodine treatment and was away for a week, the older one just LOVED having me and the place all to herself. You'd think after 10 years they'd reach some sort of peace, but they truly hate each other.

Last night I was very depressed, because I was looking through the pages looking for ones who have been there the longest (there are 91 available for adoption right now ) and they were all senior, black cats. One was turned in at the age of 15 because someone developed allergies. Call me callous, but you'd think that person could take allergy meds until the poor cat passed. I'm thinking of taking her in; no one should have to spend their last days in a chaotic shelter.

[zoom-zoom]

One was turned in at the age of 15 because someone developed allergies. Call me callous, but you'd think that person could take allergy meds until the poor cat passed. I'm thinking of taking her in; no one should have to spend their last days in a chaotic shelter.

My mom is allergic to cats. They have 3. I have pretty much carbon-copy allergies as my mom (have never been tested, but we're both sick at the same time of the year with the seasonal stuff). I take Zyrtec every day, year-round. I'd rather be a little sick, than to live without my furbabies (we have 4).

[badger]

you wouldn't believe how many cats are in there due to allergies. Another was in there because they had a baby. To me those just aren't valid enough reasons to give up a friend.

[badger]

Slightly different situation, but my friend's cat had her only litter of kittens taken away too early (before she was adopted), and eleven years later she still mothers a litter of socks.

that's really cute!!

****


I'm actually wondering about the separating of friends/siblings for the ones left behind. I guess I'm anthropomorphizing too much.