Recently, I received a message from a follower.She said she had to give away her orange tabby cat of two years due to moving to a new home.Later, the new owner sent her a video—The once clingy little “gas tank” now hides under the bed all day, refusing to even eat canned food.She asked me:“Is it true what the older generation says—that once you’ve raised a cat for a long time, you should never give it away? Is that really just superstition?”So today, let’s talk about it.Behind these so-called “old wives’ tales” about cats,how much real emotional wisdom—about feline behavior and the bond between cat and human—are we actually missing as modern pet owners?
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You think cats are cold and aloof? They’ve already engraved you into their DNA.
Old folks love to say, “Cats are like cunning ministers,” but modern science begs to differ.Studies show that cats not only recognize their owner’s voice and scent, but also memorize your daily routine.Every day when you come home from work, that grumpy little furball waiting by the door, meowing like it’s scolding you?It already sees you as its long-term food supplier and personal masseuse.Suddenly change owners?To a cat, that’s like being betrayed in a K-drama plot twist:“Yesterday I was their precious baby, and today I’m just another house pet!”Research shows that over 60% of rehomed cats develop anxiety-related symptoms.
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Moving houses = Cat’s nightmare? “Adaptation” doesn’t exist in feline vocabulary.
People often say, “New place, new vibes.”But for your feline overlord, moving is like being randomly air-dropped onto Mars.The familiar cat tree? Gone.Their favorite sunspot by the window? Gone.Even the litter box feels different beneath their paws!Cats are territorial creatures who believe they can rule a kingdom in just one square meter.In unfamiliar surroundings, your sweet pet may turn into a walking scent sprayer—marking every corner with urine to claim new territory.Or worse, become a sofa shredder, unleashing fury with their claws.Moving stress can also trigger severe stress responses:From mild cases like refusing to eat and hiding on top of wardrobes for days, to serious health issues like feline cystitis or FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis).One pet clinic even reported that over 30% of annual cat visits are related to environmental stress due to relocation.So before rehoming your cat, think twice:What you see as “finding them a better home,” might feel like “cat Hunger Games” to your fur baby.
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That one-of-a-kind bond between you and your cat? Priceless.
Every cat owner knows the feeling—That magical “soul connection” where a single glance tells your cat it’s feeding time.Or how the moment your fingers touch the keyboard, your cat lands right on the Enter key with uncanny precision.That bond wasn’t built overnight.It’s the product of hundreds of late nights together and thousands of litter box clean-ups.A silent understanding, a revolutionary friendship.But if the cat gets rehomed?All of that disappears.
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Giving away a cat is easy—taking one back is a whole different story.
Get ready for the “revenge arc” of your furry ex:Peeing everywhere, destroying furniture, knocking over every glass of water in sight…You think it’s just being naughty?No, that’s their emotional protest:“You promised me forever!”And then comes the emotional double hit—The original owner is heartbroken, staring at the empty cat bed.The new owner is overwhelmed, trying to bond with a withdrawn, depressed cat.And in between them, the cat? Just a sad, gray fluffball filled with confusion and loss.One study shows that over 20% of twice-rehomed cats end up on the streets as stray cats.Imagine that once-pampered prince or princess digging through trash just to survive…Yeah, that hits hard, doesn’t it?
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Absolutely can’t keep your cat? Here’s a breakup plan done right.
If you truly reach a point where rehoming is unavoidable—due to severe allergies or housing instability—please follow these 3 golden rules:
①Choose someone familiar.
Ideally, rehome to a friend or relative.Leave something with your scent—like an old t-shirt or blanket—so your cat has a piece of you during the transition.
②Avoid “virtual adoptions.”
Always visit the new home in person.Steer clear of anyone who says, “It’s just for the kids to play with for a while.”
③Set up video check-ins.
Schedule regular updates.If your cat shows signs of distress or mistreatment, be prepared to take them back immediately.
Have You Ever Rehomed or Adopted a Cat? Share Your Story Below!Have you ever gone through the experience of rehoming or adopting a cat? Did it take a long time to truly bond and adjust to each other?We’d love to hear from you—drop your thoughts, photos, and experiences in the comments section!Raising a cat is a lot like falling in love—it’s not just a fleeting moment, but a lifelong commitment. You don’t have to love them, but please, don’t hurt them.After all, cats spend their entire lives embodying one simple truth:“My life is short—just long enough to love one person.”