To find getting two kittens really emotional?

[hellotesting123123]

I have become very attached to my two kittens very quickly. I know it sounds dramatic but similar feelings to what people report having a baby. One has been sick and when she started eating again I cried with relief. Now I've convinced myself she has a heart condition which could be true but it could also be the intense anxiety I feel at the thought of losing her. Is this normal? I am emotional this week due to hormones but I have cried several times - once from having to take her to animal hospital, but also just randomly at the both of them and how much I love them. I can't believe its changed my life so much to have these delightful creatures around, and I'm happy but also very afraid of something going wrong. I have dealt with a lot of grief the past years which may be related, but wonder if anyone else has this level of emotional intensity?

You need to give us a kitten pic if your going to start this thread.

Yes I would say that's quite an extreme reaction.

I cried when I met my rescue cat. Firstly because he reached out & put a paw on my hand straight away & secondly because they told me he was there because his owner died. I think it's natural to get attached. My first ever kitten, I was obsessed with her & I still think of her often. I'd just lost my Dad so maybe there was a void & she filled that need for unconditional affection .

No it’s not normal

Congratulations on the lovely kittens OP but no, that doesn't sound 'normal' or very healthy. Do you think it's possible they have brought existing anxieties to the fore? Particularly perhaps some grief that has not been fully processed. These things can be hard.

Perhaps talk it over with someone qualified, it may prove helpful or illuminating (I think it can for absolutely anyone truth be told) and you want to be able to enjoy your new pets in a way that doesn't create additional trauma, you deserve to simply enjoy them!

That's fine as long as once they're a year old and not quite as delightful you dont suddenly decide they're actually too overwhelming and decide to "rehome my adorable cats for MH reasons" (as I saw happen on FB the other day 😳)

yeah, I think you've hit the nail on the head with the 'had a lot of grief this past year', I'd say what your feeling is probably a defence mechanism called 'displacement'. Instead of processing the other grief, your sadness gets shifted onto a new target, and you can inadvertently extend your suffering.

see this:

whatsyourgrief.com/defense-mechanisms-in-grief/

I think the likelihood is that you are focusing some of your grief on the kittens. It's easier to process those feelings in a safe place. That same as people who focus on Princess Diana or other celebrity deaths to process their emotions.

It's not unhealthy. And could actually help if you are conscious of it. As long as you do understand it's not actually the same as a parent and how they feel about a child.

I got weepy like that about my cats when I was pg. I put it down to my hormones being a bit unbalanced.

Kittens are really lovely. You may feel less overwhelmed by the emotion of it all when they start bringing in their prey and growling at you when you try to remove the corpse from the house. Ot maybe you will only feel maternal pride at what they can now accomplish.

Your kittens have clearly struck gold with having found a human who will look after them well. This is good. All is well. Cat lives are always too short, and grief will come some day. Accept that grief as part of the joy that is the privilege that these wonderful creatures are sharing their lives with you.

I think I get it, OP.

I don't have kids, my cats are like my babies. They're the centre of my universe and bring me so much joy. I adopted them as kittens and remember feeling a bit overwhelmed at first at being responsible for keeping them alive and well.

I am an anxious person and I also fret and get anxious if/when something happens to them. We have all the cat tech possible to be able to monitor their safety and well-being - cat cam, GPS tracking, smart catflap, you name it, we have it! One went missing for a couple of weeks and I was absolutely beside myself.

I know it sounds crazy to some people as they're "just cats", but their needs come before my own and I go above and beyond to make sure they have the best possible life.

I think it is perfectly normal and there will be people who have the same attachment and love for a dog or dogs.

I know exactly what you mean, I didn’t have this with my first two cats (who loved for 9 and 19 years respectively) but I got new kittens a couple of years ago and the intense rush of love and fear for them made me worry if I’d done the right thing.

It eased up after about 6 months.

I was like that with my first 2 kittens. I felt a huge responsibility for them.

YANBU.

But we do need to see photos of said kittehs.

I was very protective of and worried about my kitten when I got her.

She is three now and I do lover her very much and I take very good care of her.

But your reaction does seem overly emotional.

Keep an eye on it. If you continue to have these very intense felling, chat to your gp.

Kitten pics, please!

I think it's partly to do with grief but also, partly just being an emotional person who now owns a pet maybe?

I'm mega emotional anyway and I have been known to randomly burst into tears when I have PMS because one day my (2 year old, perfectly healthy) cats will die. I am so protective of them and love them so much - that's a good thing, I think!

And it's good that you have an outlet for your emotions after what sounds like a really shit time for you. Snuggle the kittens and enjoy them: try not to let anxiety creep in.

I rehomed a cat in December and she has totally captured my heart. I didn’t think I was a cat person but oh my goodness me what rush of love for her. And then the inevitable rush of fear that I may lose here. So totally reasonable. But I’m empty nesting and she asks for nothing more from me than than a cuddle, clean litter and whiskers. I can do that!

Sounds fairly normal to me! I adore my cats and when they first arrived as kittens felt very protective of them. Twice one of them has been missing for about 24 hours and I almost cried with relief when she strolled back in nonchalantly. If they get hurt a little, squashed paw etc, I really feel it.
Maybe your emotions are making things a little more intense than you expected. I suppose the worry is what if something does happen to them, how will you cope? I worry terribly about car accidents and my cats, but better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all.

Thanks everyone. I do have really bad PMS at the mo (I actually think I have PMDD) and I'm sure this is a big contributor along with the fact its been very stressful with one of them sick, not to mention expensive as she is not yet out of the initial insurance no claims period! But its good to know its somewhat normal. I can't imagine what having kids would be like - don't know if I'd handle it!

I hope it calms down as its really quite distracting...

Sounds silly but I won't share pics just as it will then identify me and just because of previous posts id rather remain anonymous. Hope you understand!

Of course - I don’t post pictures for that very reason!

I got my kitten at a very stressful time - and I have to say she really helped me.

Now with lockdown and living alone I am so very glad I have her.

She has access to outside and I do worry about her. But she has a very happy life with me and is very well taken care of.

I hope the kittens help you through this time - but do keep talking to people if your emotions seem more intense than usual.

I have been there, and talking got me though it.