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fuzzy_suncat asked in PetsCats · 10 years ago

Should I take my 11 year old cat to college or adopt the kitten I fostered?

In a couple weeks, I will be moving in to my pet friendly apartment to start my third year of college. We are only allowed two cats, and my roommate is already bringing hers. My original plan was to bring my 11 year old cat with me. However, I fostered a kitten for several weeks over the summer from the time he was 3 weeks old, and became very attached. I had doubts about my cat's ability to adjust before this happened (at about 4 years old he became an indoor/outdoor cat because he started to pee inside the house, and in his new home I would have to keep him inside the apartment with another male cat - I wouldn't want to keep him inside my room all the time. Now that I have become so attached to this kitten, I feel bad...I tried going back home and leaving him behind, but I really really miss him after a week. I still love my older cat, but I got him when I was much younger and didn't do most of the work of raising him myself, my mom did it, so I never bonded with him quite the same as I did with bottle-feeding the kitten. I feel like the kitten is my baby, and while I feel like my older cat deserves more attention (though he does get love at home with my parents, he'd get more if he was an only cat), I'm not sure it would be fair to uproot him and then either have to leave him alone in the apartment when I went back for breaks, or move him back and forth several times during the school year.

And though I am a college student, I do have the ability to provide excellent care (quality food and pay vet bills) for a cat, so that isn't an issue, I know kittens cost more at first because of all the vet care required for fixing and vaccinating them.

Thoughts and opinions? I need some perspective.

Update:

Oh, forgot to add, at home there are currently three other cats (female) so he hasn't technically been an only cat, but we don't let him wander free in the house so he doesn't get much interaction with them. I'm just worried that a male cat in such close quarters might cause him to start peeing inside again.

Update 2:

Also, if I don't take the kitten instead, he will have to go to a different home because of the limit on cats in our apartment, which makes things even harder.

7 Answers

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  • 10 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I think your 11 year old cat should be kept indoors at your parents home and I think you should adopt the kitten you've come so attached to. Otherwise, it's gonna eat you up not knowing how his life turned out and if he is okay. Anyways, if you follow expert guidelines on how to introduce your kitten to your resident cat to ensure a smooth transition. Your resident cat just may have a new best friend! : )

    Follow your heart and save a life! : )

    Source(s): Tinkerbell our resident neutered cat and Baby Diablo, the 3.5 week old abandoned kitten my daughter rescued on father's day 2011. Yes, Tinkerbell had a hissy-fit at first, however he now plays the role of big brother and has taught the kitten kitty etiquette. They're best friends now! : )
  • 10 years ago

    I would say bring the kitten, but visit your other cat, you will be able to give both a good life. The older cat would love to be an only cat, and at your parents house he would be, and the kitten could socialize with another cat and be with his mommy (you)

  • 10 years ago

    i would take the kitten. Your older cat is used to the home it has now and you parents will take good care of it. Also if it like being an only cat then it would probably be more happy with your parents.

  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    I would take the kitten since you bonded with it more. The older cat would be better to stay at home since hes an indoor/outdoor cat/

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  • 10 years ago

    listen, its a kitten. its attached to you, and it needs you more. the older cat can now handle itself and since its 11, its more lazy and probably prefers to be on its own at times. it might not be used to a new cat around and fight with it

    kittens are more adaptable and friendly. also , i will miss you more. take the kitten

  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    Sure, chuck the old cat to the curb and take the cute new kitty.

  • 10 years ago

    bring the cat to collage....that's what I would do!

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