Leave the cat or take her with me?

[CutToChase]

I have a rescue cat I love to pieces. She is very attached to me - much more so than my DP, although she doesnt mind him and will go to him for strokes when I'm travelling:)

We live in the countryside where she spends every day all day gallivanting around the fields, hunting stuff climbing trees, etc. She is also friends with the neighbours cat.

Next summer I will be starting a job at the opposite end of the country. I have two options re the cat .

1. Take her with me. I will be moving to a city, and obviously if I take her i will get a garden flat. It'll still be a smaller space with a much smaller roaming radius though but at least we'll be together.
2. Leave her in the countryside with my partner. I will be going up once a month so I will still see her, and she can keep her habits and space and natural environment. However we will see each other much less

I want to do what my cat would like best, but obviously I cant ask her! If this were a dog I would be taking her no question. But a cat....I know they get attached to us but would keeping her country life be more important to her than keeping me? 🤔

Vote:
YABU = Leave cat in country
YANBU = Take cat to city

You definitely need to leave her there. I know you will miss her, but going from a country cat to a city cat could be dangerous and stressful for her. She will be much happier staying in her normal/safe surroundings.

Leave her in familiar surroundings. You will still see her

@Backtoreality1
But what if she misses me? Or do cats not get the same separation anxiety as dogs?

It's a tough one but I'd say leave the cat in the country with your partner. Like you said you will still see her once a month. If you took her with you would you leave her at the flat each time you went up to visit your partner?

I agree and I too have a rescue cat who is very attached to me (and I to her!) You need to leave her - she will be alone whilst you’re at work and will be very stressed by her new surroundings. It will be hard for you but taking her would be cruel. I feel for you though and hope it goes well x

Sorry OP - but I think you should leave her in the countryside too.

A photograph might help with the advice though

But what if she misses me? Or do cats not get the same separation anxiety as dogs?

Even if she does, it will be reasonable short lived (as it is with dogs). There are more risks to cats in cities, increased traffic, people, other pets etc

Oh bless. I’m absolutely devoted to my old cats and it would break my heart to leave them behind, but if you think your partner will be as kind and loving to kitty, then you really should leave her. You can’t have a country cat in town. She wouldn’t last five minutes, if she got out, between traffic and dogs. On the other hand, being stuck indoors would be very distressing for a cat that’s used to the outdoors. Imagine her sitting at home waiting for you, rather than roaming around the fields.

@Flyonthewall01
I would get a house sitter in. Looks like the votes are pretty unanimous. I just dont want her to feel abandoned Although maybe with me gone for such long stretches she will come to bond more with him than she has?

This might not be your sort of thing but it’s an ideal question to ask an animal communicator about! If you’re interested just google animal communication, there’s also lots of FB groups where people are often willing to practise for free

I'd say leave her where she is. She sounds like she enjoys her outdoor time and moving her to a flat with little outdoor space especially in a busy area will be stressful.

Cats do get separation anxiety, one of mine suffers badly, but you would probably be aware of this already as you say you currently travel (with work?). Is she stressed when you are away? Displaying behaviour that would suggest she is? If not then it sounds like you are her preferred person but she can cope when you are not there. If that's the case then do the right thing for her and leave her where she is.

Good luck with the new role!

I’d say leave her in her familiar surroundings and you will still get to see her

[quote CutToChase]@Flyonthewall01
I would get a house sitter in. Looks like the votes are pretty unanimous. I just dont want her to feel abandoned Although maybe with me gone for such long stretches she will come to bond more with him than she has?[/quote]
How does your partner feel about the cat? Is he loving and kind towards her? If the answer is “yes”, then view it as a wonderful opportunity for them to create a stronger bond. Or is that part of your concern? Don’t worry if there is a wee bit of jealousy over that possibility, that’s perfectly normal. MY cats now sleep on my youngest’s bed and follow her everywhere. 😒 Of course, she thinks it’s wonderful and enjoys teasing me. 😁

[quote CutToChase]@Flyonthewall01
I would get a house sitter in. Looks like the votes are pretty unanimous. I just dont want her to feel abandoned Although maybe with me gone for such long stretches she will come to bond more with him than she has?[/quote]
Sorry, I quoted the wrong person there. 😁

[quote CutToChase]@Flyonthewall01
I would get a house sitter in. Looks like the votes are pretty unanimous. I just dont want her to feel abandoned Although maybe with me gone for such long stretches she will come to bond more with him than she has?[/quote]
If you are at work all day and will use a cat sitter once a month (I'm guessing for the weekend) thats a lot of time for the cat to be on her own in a strange city

I agree with PP. Leave country kitty be. She will adapt. If you are concerned, think about getting a Feliway plug in for her when you leave, which will work its magic and soothe her.

I would leave her there, but your OH must spend time with her, she will miss you a bit. However cats are attached to places and territory and she is likely to find a new, small territory with other cats in very stressful.

@DeliciouslyFemale

He is kind, but he is more of an old school type when it comes to animals and he works long hours, so gets in late: I'm not sure how canny he would be to things like spotting if she is ill or spotting she had a slight limp, until the point it was very obvious if you know what I mean? I think that is part of my concern, but obviously I would have to talk to him about that.

What about country cats moving to the suburbs rather than city centre?

Just having a quick nap as it's raining

(On the freshly washed laundry of course)

Leave her

Leave her in the countryside Op...my partner has a cat...when im there at the weekend his cat is all over me...as soon as i go home she goes back to my partner.

They don't forget who you are. My cat got used to the children coming and going to uni/leaving home. When come back he miffed for a day ignores you then he their best friend again.
I would leave him in the countryside.

Wow. She’s beautiful. If you take her with you, you’ll have to keep her indoors for @ three weeks. Let her out just before her meal is due, then call her back for food. Train her to come back for a certain word and always give her a high value treat, when she does. That way, she will know it is you calling her and she associates that word with a high value treat. Take her indoors before it starts dropping dark, because that is the time she’s most likely to wander and so do stray cats, who might harm her. Night time is the most dangerous for cats and they shouldn’t be left out overnight. Of course you’ll always get people saying that their cats want out at night, so might their child, but I guarantee they make the safest decision for their child. Do the same for your cat.

I’m telling you this, because I suspect you’re going to end up taking her anyway, though I think you should leave her at home.

We have a cat and therefore I feel I can make a reasonable comment. Absolutely leave her with your DP

I know you will miss her but think of where she will be happiest. She is a rescue cat and another new life/environment might be a struggle for her. She sounds like she loves it where she is

Our boy loves going outside, sleeping in the sun in a flowerbed or sitting on the wall looking over the fence. It's a small garden but it's his