I wish I knew

[mmegaera]

I've had cats all my life. I've never had such a negative reaction to a cat as I've had to these two. They aren't like any other cats I've ever had, and it's not just the going outside thing. It's the freak-out at being touched with the brush, let alone actually brushed and hairball remedy thing (neither of which are avoidable with long-haired cats), the recurring anal gland problem, the random sudden refusal to eat issue, the dehydration issue (why on earth would an animal dehydrate itself deliberately when there's perfectly good water available in multiple dishes in multiple places??? -- I can't force them to drink). The vet says they're healthy, so it's not that.

I've never, ever thought about re-homing any of my cats (Elli and Elena are #s 7 and 8 in my life) before, but I've wondered more than once if it would be a good idea for these two. Is it me? Or is it them? Or is it just nobody's fault and we're just not compatible?

I feel really guilty about this, but I just wanted two normal cats. Is that asking too much?

Comments

[dfledermaus]

Answer C, nobody's fault.

My opinion is that it sounds like you've given the situation a fair try, and it's not working. It's better to find them a good home, and sooner rather than later. It sounds like keeping them will just generate more frustration and guilt on your part, and two years from now you'll be dealing with the same issues, except with more resentment; they'd be two years older and harder to rehome.

I've done it to one cat myself. We just never connected, no matter how much attention I paid to him for several months. Fortunately he adored my stepfather (aka The Great Cat Hater), so I persuaded my mother to take him in ("Look, he's the only cat Papa has ever admitted he likes, and the only one you'll ever be allowed to bring home. Do it while you can!"). They had 15 blissful years together.

You all deserve to have a happy home - maybe it just needs to be in different houses.