Moving to university: Should I bring my attached cat and bonded pair?

Unless cats are very bonded they usually are happier in single cat households, so yes I think it would be a good idea to take the one that is not a true litter mate. I hope having him with you is helpful! Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

That's a tough situation for you both to be in! In my opinion, I think it would be best splitting the cats. While it may be tough at first for them to be apart, the stress of moving them back and forth between homes would be even more stressful. They would adjust easier to having separate homes than be moved around all the time, and if either become lonely, you can get another cat to keep your cat company. Another option is one of you take both of them for good, but that may not be feasible. I hope this helps!

If Penelope is bonded with you she will likely be fine, but there are a few things you can do that might help make the move easier. Look into Feliway products and start using before the move and at new house. A vet checkup before a major change is never a bad idea since stress can exacerbate underlying illness. Keep food and litter the same as what she's accustomed to using if you make any changes don't do it right away with the move and make sure to change things slowly and gradually over the course of a week or two. Possibly get her some toys or beds now that you will take with you when you move so she has a familiar scent. And make sure that you're being realistic about when and where you're moving, if it will be a good move for Penelope. The fact that you're thinking about it this far in advance means you do have her best interest in mind. But many times pets are abandoned by college age students who don't understand the responsibility of taking care of them; so make sure you're doing what's best for her and hopefully you would be able to visit if you do leave her at home. Good luck with your decision and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Yes, it would be absolutely fine for you to take Razor with you! I'm sure he would be very happy to be with you, and if he does seem lonely and you can afford it, you can get him a companion in your new home :-)

They will likely adjust, however they will need a lot of TLC and it will take time. They will be very sad and will miss their companion. I think, however, that time will heal and they might do ok. The cat which is not going into a multicat household will have more serious problems as she will be very lonely. He will need very much attention and love and likely will search for the missing kitty. Try not to separate them if you can somehow manage. or find a new home that will take both of them.

I think it's wonderful that Atilly has become so close with your friend's cat. It's impossible to know exactly how they'll respond to this separation. Some cats don't seem to notice a difference at all after moving away from a friend or losing a housemate, whereas others go through a fairly notable grieving process. I think that having the cats gradually spend less time together would be helpful, but this would mean keeping them in entirely separate areas so that they can't see, smell or hear one another. I don't know if that is even feasible for you. You can also try using calming pheromone diffusers (Feliway is one brand) for both Atilly and her friend as you move, as pheromones may help to minimize some of their stress from this change. Cats are generally pretty adaptable, so I would wait until a week or two before you leave to begin having them spend less and less time together. Best of luck with your move!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question. Breaking up is really hard to do, and it can be hard on pets. No, I wouldn't take him back, he's bonded to you. It just takes time to adjust to a new home, and if you want, you can get him a companion for your home. Just give him time. When my ex and I broke up, he didn't take the dog who was super bonded to him. She sat by the front door for a long time waiting for him to come home, but she got over it, and was happy and loving life with me. I just gave her extra love and attention during that transition time. It will be ok, trust me. I hope this helps!