I have decided to move from a house to a small condo and have 2 adorable 10 year old healthy, inseparable cats. One is an outdoor boy and is in heaven when he is out there. The other is mostly indoors. I am struggling with what to do when I move to my condo. I did live in an apartment for 12 months a few years ago and the "outdoor" guy tried to jump off the balcony and out the window a few times but I caught him just in time. It will break my heart and likely theirs (?) to give them up but I don't want to subject them to a prison like environment and make them totally miserable. I did bring my cats by car, from BC to Ontario but now that I am going back to BC, I will likely fly. Has anyone experienced a dilemma such as mine that could be shared?
- Thread starter unsure
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David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
In my experience, cats (and dogs for that matter) are more adaptable than we think. I don't think there's any need to give up your cats. Take then with you. They'll accomodate in time to being indoor cats if you make sure you give them adequate attention and a few toys.
Hi unsure,
My cat went from living in an apartment until he was a year old to having a whole neighbourhood and now I have had him back at my apartment for I think 3 years now and he has been fine and he is an older cat as well. I have a little seat for him by the window and he gets air and seems fine with that. As Dr.Baxter said, animals are very adaptable.
Not to make it a harder decision for you, but do you know anyone that would take them? Was that the plan?
It's not as likely they would be adopted at a shelter, alone or together because of there age. I mean, people do adopt older cats so it could happen but most people go for kittens or slightly older.
It sounds like a tough decision for you to have to make. I hope you can figure something out.
My cat went from living in an apartment until he was a year old to having a whole neighbourhood and now I have had him back at my apartment for I think 3 years now and he has been fine and he is an older cat as well. I have a little seat for him by the window and he gets air and seems fine with that. As Dr.Baxter said, animals are very adaptable.
Not to make it a harder decision for you, but do you know anyone that would take them? Was that the plan?
It's not as likely they would be adopted at a shelter, alone or together because of there age. I mean, people do adopt older cats so it could happen but most people go for kittens or slightly older.
It sounds like a tough decision for you to have to make. I hope you can figure something out.
Hi, Unsure
I also have two kitties, and when I started traveling I felt so guilty leaving them at home that I asked a friend to stop by and visit them every few days, which was great. I also tried the pet hotel, but one of my kitties ended up developing an eye ulcer which my vet claimed to stem from stress since people were popping into my home and I was gone during the week. So, I had to take one of my kitties with me to provide care for him while his eye healed. And I ended p telling my friends not to stop by my home anymore.
THE POINT- the point is that he missed me. Once I told my friends not to stop by and he knew I was just out of town for the week and back on the weekends- they were both completely happy! No more eye ulcers, no more "accidents" outside the litter box. They were in THEIR domain (which is also yours), they need things that remind them of you and a place they can call home and it's usually where YOU are..as long as they are with their faithful owner, they are happy.
I would have to say that it will break their hearts as much as yours if you gave them away- there really is no need for that. And, I believe I read that they only need about 200sq ft to call their "own", so they can sleep and rest. And, since your kitties seem to have been living together all their lives (like mine), they will miss each other if you separate them. Some people may think this is not true, but one of my uncles dogs became depressed and died after his father died. They make strong connections, just like us. Have you seen the movie Hachi? It's a true story about a dog, that would wait for his owner every day after work at the train station. One day the owner had a heart attack and died in the city wile at work. The dog, Hachi, would wait at the train station every day for over 10 years....just waiting for his owner to come back.... as much as you miss them, they will miss you too. I'm pretty sure they would prefer to be with you no matter where you are.
I also have two kitties, and when I started traveling I felt so guilty leaving them at home that I asked a friend to stop by and visit them every few days, which was great. I also tried the pet hotel, but one of my kitties ended up developing an eye ulcer which my vet claimed to stem from stress since people were popping into my home and I was gone during the week. So, I had to take one of my kitties with me to provide care for him while his eye healed. And I ended p telling my friends not to stop by my home anymore.
THE POINT- the point is that he missed me. Once I told my friends not to stop by and he knew I was just out of town for the week and back on the weekends- they were both completely happy! No more eye ulcers, no more "accidents" outside the litter box. They were in THEIR domain (which is also yours), they need things that remind them of you and a place they can call home and it's usually where YOU are..as long as they are with their faithful owner, they are happy.
I would have to say that it will break their hearts as much as yours if you gave them away- there really is no need for that. And, I believe I read that they only need about 200sq ft to call their "own", so they can sleep and rest. And, since your kitties seem to have been living together all their lives (like mine), they will miss each other if you separate them. Some people may think this is not true, but one of my uncles dogs became depressed and died after his father died. They make strong connections, just like us. Have you seen the movie Hachi? It's a true story about a dog, that would wait for his owner every day after work at the train station. One day the owner had a heart attack and died in the city wile at work. The dog, Hachi, would wait at the train station every day for over 10 years....just waiting for his owner to come back.... as much as you miss them, they will miss you too. I'm pretty sure they would prefer to be with you no matter where you are.
anthropomorphism - Google Search ........please read this....then watch the next one.
http://forum.psychlinks.ca/just-chat/25819-fox-hunting-in-snow.html
To further the anthropomorhic allowances we place on pets and cute animals, this cute fox, got this cute mouse or rabbit. The cat that snuggles up against us on our pillow at night, is like the fox, governed by instinct, but adaptable.
I have many pets, and I am glad they willingly share their lives with me, but I know what they are, and why they are that way.
It's nice that you concern yourself so much for your cats, but living in a condo is not the end of the world. It's hard to turn a deaf ear to the meowing for freedom.
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