can cats get lonely?

Question

See I had gotten 2 cats for my daughter.
When I got them they were a little bigger than kittens and they were always together until recently.
I took them out to my house in the country and one of them was no where to be found when it came time to leave, so I just took the one that I found, hoping that someone there at the house would find the other and hold it until we go and get it.
but anyway... now the one that I brought back isn't being himself. I dont know if it's just me but he seems lonely.
This morning he is what woke me up. He (the cat) was wondering around the house meowing loudly.
but when I got up he just went and found somewhere to sleep and stayed there most of the day and slept.
now he just seems to be "mope-ing" around.
what could I do? if my cat is indeed lonely.
I was planning on giving them away to someone else soon also. because my daughter wasnt quite ready for the responsibility of 2 cats.
any suggestions might help.

BTW...
they are both male cats. and I have had them since they were about maybe 2 months old and now they would be 6 months i think.
they are bigger than kittens though

we have been trying to keep him "occpied" like playing with him and holding him (because hes a very lovable cat) but he just seems to want to be left alone cause he gets away from us and goes and sleeps somewhere.

Answer 1

Yes, he's lonely. He misses his "brother". Go back and find him.

Answer 2

Cats that have grown up together do bond. The cat is probably missing the other cat, but may not really miss the "cat" per se, just know that something isn't right, that there is something different in his life. It seems that it is not a very old cat and will definetly outgrow this phase. It's very hard to tell with cats. I know that I had two cats for awhile who didn't get along at all, but when one died the other sort of moped around and actually sat on the blanket of the one that had died. She did get passed this fairly quickly, but I did end up getting her a kitten as a present. Cats do not have long term memories, so I reallly think that the cat will be fine in the long run. Give it a little time and maybe a little extra affection and play time and it should be back to normal shortly. I think it would be a shock to the remaining cat's personality if you were to give him up right now, he has already suffered one loss, see if your daughter can handle the one cat, I would hate to see the cat go through another trauma so soon.

Answer 3

Yes, cats get lonely. Esspecially ones that they've either been around for a long time or are littermates with. I had 2 cats for 15 years before the female of the 2 passed away and her brother spent litterally months walking around the house acting the same way your cat is despite the fact taht we have other cats. They have a grieving process like people do...

Answer 4

Poor kitty. Of course he is lonely. He lost his friend, He lost his home. He has the feeling that he may get dumped too. Cats and dogs do sense things like this. Why wouldn't he be sad? I hope you will really try to have someone find the other kitty or will go back and look for him and see if you can get someone to put food out for the poor little guy. He needs care and you have a responsibility to do all you can for him. You'll feel better about it too. :)

The meowing is calling his friend. The sleeping and going off is depression just like a depressed human. In cats depression can also manifest in not eating and drinking so be sure he does take food and water. If not and it goes on more than a day of so he will need a vet visit. And no just putting him out because he acts down or needs care will not make him better it will just lead to his death. Cats also seem to sulk when they are sad or their feeling are hurt or everything familiar is gone. Giving him extra attention and petting is a good idea. Keep it up even if he does not seem to respond immediately. Talk to him a lot. Encourage him to sit near you even if all he does is sleep there. Encourage your daughter to go sit or play or read near wherever he is hiding out. He still cares about you and your daughter. He just needs extra consideration right now,,,,a little like sitting with a friend who is in the hospital or at a funeral home. He has suffered 2 very big losses and it will take him a while to get back to being himself.

It does seem that mostly when a parent gets a pet for their child the parent does most of the pet care. One thing that helps is to make taking care of your pet something you and she do together. She'll learn by your example to be responsible and to enjoy doing it. You can explain it to her that mom gets breakfast for her, clean clothes, makes sure the house is nice etc. and that she is her pet's mama. The responsibility she learns and the sense of caring even if it is just in the routine of helping you do it will help her get ready for other responsibilities and help her learn to care for herself and others.

If you are determined to get rid of this cat I would say do it now if you know someone who will love and care for him. I know that is different from other advice and he would be happier to stay with you but if he absolutely can not and if there is someone else who will be good to him and responsible towards him maybe it would be better to get all the big changes over with rather than have him just get used to being your only cat and bond even more strongly with you and your daughter and then get ripped away from that too. Of course if there is not someone to take him and be good to him try to keep him till there is and not just dump him at a shelter because a half grown tom has little chance of being adopted there. Consider too how your daughter will feel about the cat being gone.

Answer 5

I had two cats named Salem and Joey. I swear they were like ying and yang and we even got pictures of them in that position (ones black and ones white). Anyways, Joey ran away when we moved to a new place. When Joey ran away all Salem did was sit by the door or window, meowing constantly. A couple days after Joey left, Salem ran away too. Probably to find him. Kitties have feelings too. Theyre more independant than we are..lol. I miss my kitties. Give the kitty lots of TLC... he'll come around hopefully.. Best of luck ^_^

Answer 6

Yes, definitely.

When my cat is alone for a few hours or for a whole day, she waits behind the door. She wails her little heart out and then practically attacks anyone who walks in and licks them and purrs and wants to be petted. It's like she's love- starved.

Answer 7

Yes... cats do get depressed and they do miss freinds that they become attached to... like a playmate cat. Its better I think to find another forever loving home for both cats and soon, while they are still young.

Answer 8

Cats can be lonely too.You know,here in the Philippines,I have a cat named Mayette.Sometimes,I see her with sparkling eyes and when I touched her eyes there is a watery thing.I think its her teardrop.Just hug your daughter's cats more or let her hug her cats,also you or your daughter may feed the cats.Like it?

Answer 9

did you go back an look for the cat you should nt have let it out on the day you were movieing so you could have know were it was i know i should be mean but that what i think go back an look for the cat

Answer 10

Yes, the cat is looking for his friend. Then get bonded to each other just like anyone. It is sad. When my cat's bestfriend died she was depressed for months.

Answer 11

Of course they can. Allthough not as long as humans do. Thier mind is alot easier to occupy than ours. So if your cat is lonley, just occupy him with toys, and show him you love him.