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Do Cats Get Homesick?
I have been cat sitting for my sister. She has three little ladies who are all very different. My sister has raised a number of cats, all named after herbs and 
spices. This first puffball is Rosie, short for Rosemary. Rosie has a beautiful coat, a tiny face, short legs and tail and a shapely (?) body. She is the outgoing cat, ever curious.
Next is Tansy, an herb. She is the fraidy cat. Afraid of everything and everybody. Since coming to stay, it took her 2 days before she would come out from under the 
covers to check me out. Then a big gust of wind rattled the windows and she raced back for cover.
Finally we have Cori, short for coriander. She is the old woman of the three, 16 years old. Once again a beautiful coat, Cori is the standoffish cat. She will come out and sit and stare at me, but not make any moves towards me. I can get her to check 
out what I have in my hand if I approach her, but she doesn’t make attempts to come see.
So I had to wonder if cats get homesick. Are they pining for my sister? I checked out a few places on line but can find nothing. I did find very different opinions on whether a cat cries. Many people said yes, but the vets say no. The vets insist that cats don’t have emotions like humans do. After raising a daughter who once wanted to be a biologist, I have to disagree with that.
I have toys for the cats, supposedly some of their favorites, but they don’t play with them. Perhaps they do when I’m at work. They do seem to be eating and doing their thing. I’ve never had cats because my husband thinks he is allergic to them, so I don’t know what to expect. I guess I shouldn’t be that worried, but I am. They are my sister’s only family.
Two more days, kitties, then you’re mama will be home. Do any of you know if cats get homesick?
February 26th, 2009 at 12:05 am
Of course they get homesick! And I don’t believe for a minute that they don’t have emotions. While animals are more instinctual than intellectual, even the most basic instinct is to bond with your “mom”. Not to mention that animals have a sense of environment that comes from a ton of sensual input we don’t even consider. I’m sure your house smells different, feels different, looks different, etc. All of which should amount to a lot of adjusting for these beautiful felines. No worries, however. I’m sure if they are eating, drinking, and (forgive me) pooping – there will be no lasting health effects.
February 26th, 2009 at 5:11 am
You have cats, don’t you? I love your passion and I couldn’t agree more. Update: Tansy, the fraidy cat, finally came out to greet me this morning!
February 28th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
[...] on my cat sitting job before I head to the beach to visit with them at their home. Last week I was cat sitting my sister’s cats. I was trying to decide if cat’s get homesick. To all vets or [...]