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Future dilemma

8 replies

Canthave2manycats · 14/04/2024 01:17

OK, so I have three rescue cats and I love them all dearly. I've had two of them for 2 years, they're 7 and 3. I adopted the third 3 months ago and he's coming 2. Problem is, Cat #1 doesn't like either Cat #2 or #3. #2 and #3 love each other to bits.

Cat #1 takes herself off upstairs and is very happy there. She has the run of the house all night while the other two are confined to one room each. The other two aren't allowed upstairs to annoy her. Sometimes she's happy to be brought into the living room and all three sleep quite happily in the same room. She gets pissed off though if either of the other two try to approach her. We're managing it ok, I think.

Cat #1 sleeps with my DD every night. She walks up and down her, bites her gently, chews her hair, shouts at her and wakes her for pets. She insists on getting pets too when DD gets up for work. She is happy to get pets from everyone else but DD is her preferred one. I can't let her into my room as I'm allergic to cats, and she also loves to go into DS' room if he lets her. DD was away for a few nights over Easter and she was fine.

DD is intending to move out in a few months and wants to take Cat #1 with her. I don't want Cat #1 to go. She was living rough on the streets and then was in rescue, so I don't want to uproot her to move somewhere else, plus I love her and want to have her here with me.

I am beginning to wonder though if she would be happier with her favourite person and away from Cat #2 and #3 because she doesn't like them? I'd be heartbroken to let her go!!

Thoughts?

OP posts:

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TheAirRunningOut · 14/04/2024 07:55

I think you need to do what’s best for the cats and it sounds like DD taking cat1 would be best for all of them

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Pudmyboy · 14/04/2024 18:41

I agree, as long as the place your DD is moving to is suitable, cat 1 will be much happier and cats 2&3 will be too, they won't have the tension of meeting/smelling each other in the house, plus you can see cat1 when you visit DD!

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Pudmyboy · 14/04/2024 18:44

Also, you mentioned cat2&3 are kept to one room at night: would they then be free to explore the whole house, at least in the daytime? And you mentioned being allergic to cats: would dropping the number in the house help with your allergy?

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Tatas · 14/04/2024 18:49

I'd let your DD take cat #1 if she's moving somewhere cat friendly!

It's not fun for the cat to live with other cats they don't like and share territory, having their own space would probably be really good for them.

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Dareisayiseethesunshine · 14/04/2024 18:58

We have a house rule no pets leave when dc do. But your dcat sounds like it would be happier leaving..

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fieldsofbutterflies · 14/04/2024 19:13

I'm certain you posted this the other day and pretty much every single person said your DD should take the cat with her.

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1MoreNamechange · 14/04/2024 19:16

What’s changed since you posted this the other day?

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Canthave2manycats · 14/04/2024 20:48

I don't remember posting this the other day - apologies if so!

The dilemma is she is happy and content here - they are all in the living room asleep right now.

Each of the other two cats has a room each - they play rough so I am not quite ready to put them in the same room overnight. They would have more freedom around the house if Cat #1 wasn't here.

My allergies can be managed - I just can't have them in my bedroom, and I have to wash my hands immediately after I handle them.

Part of me thinks it might be the best thing to let her go with DD but I love her to bits! I've never in my life given a cat away under any circumstances. They always have a forever home with me.

DD is planning on buying a house so it would be suitable for my girl

Thank you all for your advice.