Would seperating two cats that have lived with each other for years be a bad idea?

Question

Here's the deal,

I'm moving to college and I live with 2 cats, one of them I truly will miss. The problem is they have lived with each other for years and i'm afraid to split them up. I want what's best for the cats, however, shadow basically spends every waking hour in my room and in my lap haha, so i don't know how he will react to me not being around anymore. :(

I kinda will miss shadow alot so I was thinkin' of takin him off to school with me. But I don't know what to do!!

Answer 1

That's a difficult situation. Are you allowed to have pets in your college dorm? I don't think most places allow that.

Cats can be very territorial and also very bonded to a human. So one way or another he will have an adjustment problem. Shadow will definitely be in a funk when you leave. You are going off to a new life with many activities and many new people to interact with so you really won't have too much time for Shadow.
He might adjust better to remain with the other cat and have you see him when you come home for vacations.

Answer 2

The cats will probably get along without the other although they each will go through a period of adjustment. However, some things to consider: I'm assuming that you'd leave the other cat at your parents' home while you're off to school; but when you go home again and bring Shadow, the cat left at home will probably not remember him and think that Shadow is invading his territory and there will be fights. Next, if you're going to live in a dorm at school, are pets allowed? If you'll have roommates, are they good with having a cat around (even if you keep yours in your room, if a roommate is allergic the dander and hair will not be contained in your space)? Also, I'm not sure having a pet at school is a great idea. There are going to be all sorts of unstable people there, some with mallicious ideas about cats, some who "just want to see what happens if we give a cat [fill in the drug/poison/bad stuff of your choice]" or other things people do when they no longer have much supervision and are constantly surrounding by peer pressure. When I was in college, there was a guy who went kind of crazy (too much achievement pressure) who dropped cats off the roof of the dorm (20 storey building); another fed animals drugs because he thought it was funny to see them "high" for the few minutes before they died. Etc. If your cat gets sick or hurt, will you be able to spend money and time at the vet and nursing it which may cost you study time--mid-terms and finals can be hugely time consuming. You might want to leave Shadow at home where you know he'll be safe and well cared for, and be with his co-cat; if you begin to miss cat love while at school you can volunteer at the local animal shelter or SPCA or, if you find your living situation allows, you might even be able to foster kitties who need an experienced caregiver until they can be adopted.

Answer 3

I have six cats as I take in abused animals and strays. I am not so sure about leaving them for over 24 hours, but I have left them for a day before. In your case, it does not sound like you would be gone that long, however there are places to board pets for a day or two, or longer. Cats generally do well when left at home so long as it is not for a long time. Animals love to get into mischief, especially cats and especially when alone. With one cat you may come home to find some "accidents." With two, you may find even more where they have chased each other. I do think it is good you are thinking of the cat not being alone and lonely and there is nothing wrong with having two cats. If you do get a cat and you do leave it alone for a day and a night, make sure you leave a water dispenser and a food dispenser that will not empty before you return. Also do not leave the little one until he/she is acclimated to the surrounding s and you. Cats and dogs can be as insecure as people, even more so. Aside from boarding, there is another option, though I have never found it to work as well for cats as for dogs. You will need a cat carrier if you have a cat, and you can always take the cat with you when you leave to visit, so long as those you are visiting are prepared for this. If you do this, make sure the cat remains in the carrier until he is in the room where you will be staying and it will take a lot of watching. When I would visit my parents and I only had one cat, he went with me and stayed in the carrier unless he was in my room. He did well with this. Now, however, I board as I do have so many pets and my rule is NEVER over a day at home alone. Too much can go wrong.

Answer 4

If they have been together for years, I wouldn't suggest seperating them as they may not understand why one has disappeared. I have heard that some pets that have been together and one passes away, the other one will go into depression. You surely don't want that to happen to your cats, do you?! =( It's understandable that you will miss Shadow because it seems like he's more your cat than anyone else's, but you will still be home to visit. And even though he may miss you for a few days, he will adapt and he will still have the other kitty to play with.

When my boyfriend moved out of his parents house, he left behind his 13 year old kitty who is VERY attached to him. The first couple of weeks, she just sat outside of what used to be his room and anytime the door was open, she would go in and chill out because that's what she used to do. She was looking for him, but she still had his parents to take care of her, so she got used to it. You can tell she likes seeing him when he goes to visit, but we have 2 kittens where we live, so she's not too happy to have been "replaced". =)

I would definitely recommend keeping your two kittys together to keep them from being lonely. That's why they say that people should have 2 cats so that they keep each other company when the humans aren't around. Have your parents send you updates periodically and pics. Maybe you can even try "talking" on the phone with Shadow (our kitten loves to hear my bf's voice on the phone when he's not home).

Good luck!

Answer 5

I would leave Shadow at home. I know you will miss him/her greatly but college is a very busy time and Shadow will get very lonely. Also I know from when one of my cats died the other was lost with out him. She walked around the house crying for him day and night for months. It was really hard on her, she barely ate of drank for some time and even though we have had other cats and dogs since his death she has never taken to any of them like she did the cat that died. So don’t split them up and come home to visit them often (and your parents because they will miss you too.)

Answer 6

Well if you really love the other cat more then take shadow to one of your friends house or your moms or who-ever you can trust with a cat!! it should be happy but you may want to let those to say a long good-bye b-cuz most cats i know like when their cat buddys are around but shadow will be fine if you have a friend or a parent who has a cat living with them your in luck shadow will be so busy playing with his new pals he won`t know that his other buddy is with you!~lol~

Answer 7

yes it would be a bad idea to split them up because are like family and family always sticks together

Answer 8

Yes they would really be sad and miss each other, if you can leave them together and take them great but since it sounds like you can't then I would keep them together. You can always visit and you will get over it faster and easier then your kitties.

Answer 9

If they got along well together, it's probably not a good idea to separate them. They may see each other as best buddies.

Answer 10

i have 2 cats and they are brothers. i just know by looking at them they will miss eachother if i seperate them

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