originally posted by: KindraLabelle2
My 25 year old daughter is moving out of the house later this year. She is moving into an apartment and wants to take our 15 year old cat, Angel, with
her. Now we bought the cat on her 10th birthday so I guess technically it's hers. But since I am caring for it, feeding it, paying for everything cat
related,... I also consider the cat as mine. Ours. It's been a pet to all of us.
I get why she want's to take her. Angle has been sleeping in her bed since day one, they are best buddies.
But over here, Angel has her huge garden where she roams in all day when the weather is nice, just now she is lying under the tree in front of the
house. She never wanders far away from the house, but she still has an entire cat kingdom outside where she can be free. And when it gets colder she
will spend her days inside, mostly in my daughters bedroom ( which is also a cat kingdom with several fluffy cat-cushions, baskets, unlimited food,
...)
When Angel moves with my daughter to the apartment, she won't be able to go outside. She will live with her favorite person, but loose all the
outdoors freedom.
What would be best for the cat?
Hi there - I rescue feral and abandoned cats where I live and have had cats all my life (50+ years). Here is my $.02 cents worth of advice.
The cat is 15 and that is aged for a cat. Moving homes could be very stressful, but she could likely adapt, what would be hard to adapt to is being
trapped inside (we built an enclosed catio for our cats so they can go outside since we don't have a yard they can roam in).
Cats get a ton of stimulation by being outside and being among nature and the bugs they hunt along with other things.
The cat may be her's technically, but it the cat IS a family cat since everyone is contributing.
Your daughter is going to have her hands full moving out and adjusting herself, it might not be fair to your cat for her to do the same thing - work?
school? going out with friends? that will result in a lot of alone time for the kitty who can't go outside anymore.
I'd say, see if your daughter wants to take Angel over to her apartment for the weekend and care for her and such, kind of like joint custody. See how
she travels. Some cats mind travel, some do not. Angel will need to be around for her cat, because you have to be able to pay attention to a 15 year
old cat and be alert for any health issues.
I have no doubt your daughter loves the cat, but the most probable thing is to leave the kitty with you and come visit more often.
If she does take the cat, she needs to take all the cats things and fill her new apt with as much of the cat's smell as possible (and your smells too
- old clothes you've worn, etc.) to help make it less stressful. You should also impress o your daughter, she needs to keep a super close eye on
kitty.
But I'll say it again - a cat that can go outdoors seems to do better mentally and emotionally and instinctually. It's rough to do a big change on an
old cat, they may not bounce back and that's the tough reality.
Hoping for the best for the kitty and that kitty stays surrounded with love, safety and attention.
edit on 22-7-2023 by Thanatos0042 because:
spelling