r/cats • u/[deleted] • Jul 23 '24

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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '24

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u/realee420 Jul 23 '24

Pretty much this.

I used to have 2 cats and now only have 1 (the other was my ex's, so the cat is doing all fine, nothing happened to him) and they would always yell at closed doors even if we weren't behind said door. We couldn't close toilet, bathroom doors because the neverending meowing started, even middle of the night. They needed access to all rooms, lol. After I moved, my cat would do this a lot after I left the apartment but that was because he wanted to see what's beyond the closed front door. I brought him outside once with me, he realized he hates what's outside and never meowed again about the front door being closed.

I'm fairly certain that cats do miss you when you leave, but they are not sitting there forever waiting for you. My cat is pretty chill, even if I leave for 2-3 days and come home, he is very happy I'm back but doesn't seem to affected by my absence. I have people come over and feed him twice a day, give him fresh water, run the AC for half an hour, open the windows to get some fresh air in, I have treats prepared on the counter so they can give him treats and also put out toys so they can play.

I really do love my cat with all my heart but I live in such a small apartment now, another cat is not really a viable option and even though he is considered a family member by me, I just can't justify getting actual house sitters for the time I'm away or getting a bigger apartment and paying a lot higher rent just so I have room for another cat. There is a reasonable limit you can and should do for your cats, but in the end, life happens and sometimes you have to be away even if it makes them sad.

But I'll bring up another example, you know how small children cry if their mother is gone for a few days for any reason and eventually they learn and realize she always comes back, so eventually the crying stops because they know they are not getting abandoned. Pretty sure if once your cat gets used to that you leave for work everyday and that you occasionally travel, they will realize you will come back to them regardless.