The Cat Thread

Ears in airplane mode

Ha, yeah, he's such a nutter!

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Dizzy came with us to the pub on Sunday.

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In a dilemma. We went away to live abroad and my mum took in our cats we originally planned to ship them out but it was to expensive and time went by. We have now moved back and my wife wants to bring the cats back...I think it's been too long and they are a big help to my mum who is on her own. I think my wife is being stubborn and slightly toys out the pram on it but in her head the cats would always come back to us. I have said to my wife what I think and its causing fruction. It's been 8 years. That's too long right ?? Or am I not seeing it right. Not sure what to do.

That's a long time - were the cats with you for more than 8 years before you left...?! If they were, they'll be approaching their twilight years and might be happier staying where they know, and if they weren't they've now spent more than half their life with your mum, not you. If your mum really enjoys having them around it seems a bit mean to arrive back and promptly reclaim them - if it had been 6 weeks then yes, but...

Anyway I'm just a bike nerd on the internet (who has two cats) - but hope you arrive at a good solution.

I think those are your mum's cats now

My sister took in her friends cat when they moved abroad. They came back (maybe 5 years later? Don't think it was 8) and sometimes came to visit but didn't take the cat back. This was even with kids who knew the cat from when they were little. Cat provided good company for my sister who lives by herself, and it was getting, not elderly, but comfortable in its middle age by then.

Yep I'm with all of you on this. I'll try to explain it more delicately as the recent discussions haven't ended well. As we both get annoyed with each other.

Could you suggest going to a rescue and giving a home to a kitty or two who's not got a loving home?

Yeah that might be good.

It's been 8 years. That's too long right ?? Or am I not seeing it right. Not sure what to do.

I think cats are capable of adjusting to new (or, in your case, former owners, from 8 years ago) - but if they are happy being at your mum's, and your mum's happy to have them then I'd rather get "new" cats 👍

We have cats (ok, one died and was replaced) that were meant to stay for two weeks.
When those two weeks became a year we made it clear that they would stay.
8 years and then wanting "your" pet back is not on in my view.
I am sure there are cute cats looking for a new home.

Yeah, suggest a fresh start with some cute kittens or something? Otherwise seems harsh on both your mum and the cats.

Thanks all. Yeah I think new cats will be good.

Definitely a trap

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It would appear Fleur is a bit depressed :/ on Wednesday my partner(who works from home) headed north for a holiday, I’m joining her this Friday and we’re back on the 25th. We have an excellent neighbour who feeds/hangs out with Fleur when we go away.

What I’m worried about is that she’s barely eaten since Wednesday and other than hanging out on the balcony briefly last night she’s not left my partners room for zoomies, waking me up at 5am and her other routine behaviour. Her routine is pretty predictable.

If I lie on the floor with her she’s very affectionate indeed but I can’t seem to tempt her out. Luckily she’s obviously leaving the room to use her tray and I can feed her in here too I guess.

Any thoughts? Obviously she’s missing her favourite human but now I’m worried about going away as well on Friday.
I’m sure I’m anthropomorphising her to some extent(I already miss my partner too lol) but is there any other signs I should watch for over this week?

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What does your mum think? Maybe she would enjoy the new cats.

Also your wife could visit your mum and see if the cats are overjoyed by the reunion.

See how she behaves until closer to Friday?
Probably lost her appetite a bit because she thinks she will be stuck with only you as company (sorry...).

Not really an expert on cats apart from owning two of them, and they really don't like one or both of us being away.

Lol I’m not offended at all, at the end of the day my partner spends all day hanging out with Fleur while I’m away for work during the day and been that way a few years so not surprising they have a closer bond.

She’s finally ventured out, probably cos it’s biscuit time.

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Now you have to stay home all day!
They really don't like change at all.
Will be fun next week when my partner is away. Maybe I'll get all the cute then.

Fleur looks very nice btw.

Project cat.

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Thanks, she’s very sweet but definitely highly strung. She came to us aged 2 as an ex-show cat and having had a litter by that time as well.
Apparently the show life didn’t suit her temperament which is why she was retired but then her first litter weren’t perfect breed standard. At that point she was basically surplus to requirements :(

As a companion and house cat she couldn’t be more perfect.
She’s extremely noisy and vocal and affectionate in her own way but she’s never once sat on our laps or enjoyed being picked up.

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Has this BB shell been properly chased and faced human?

Strange idea that cats could be useful for more than fun and stress reduction (unless you have a farm).
She sounds interesting. Ours hate being picked up but we do get used as sofas.