Getting dogged: When your pet cheats on you

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the phenomenon of pets, particularly cats, seemingly abandoning their owners for other homes or environments that offer better conditions, such as more attention, food, or comfort. Participants share personal anecdotes and observations regarding their experiences with pets that have "cheated" on them, exploring themes of attachment, loyalty, and the nature of pet behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that pets may seek out better living conditions, as illustrated by a veterinary behaviorist's account of a cat that preferred a new home due to more attention and fewer distractions.
  • One participant reflects on their lost cat, speculating that it may have found a more appealing environment after being kept indoors due to an injury.
  • Another participant shares a story of a cat that seemed to have a dual existence, enjoying the company of two different households.
  • There are claims that cats, unlike dogs, are more likely to abandon their owners if they find better circumstances, with some participants expressing that this behavior reflects the nature of cats as solitary creatures.
  • One participant recounts a cat that moved in with new owners for better food and attention, highlighting the emotional impact of such a situation.
  • Concerns are raised about the emotional implications of pets choosing to leave, with some participants expressing sadness over the situation of a cat that appears lonely after its new owners had a baby.
  • Another participant describes their cat's behavior of disappearing for extended periods, suggesting it may have been living a double life before becoming an indoor cat.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on pet loyalty and behavior, with no clear consensus on whether this behavior is typical or acceptable. Some participants believe that only cats exhibit such behavior, while others argue that pets of any kind may seek better living conditions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these behaviors on pet-owner relationships.

Contextual Notes

Participants' claims are based on personal experiences and observations, which may not account for broader behavioral patterns or scientific studies on pet behavior.

Ivan Seeking
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...Grass is always greener
Some upwardly mobile pets may look for another home if they meet someone who has tastier food, more time for affection, better toys or a softer couch.

Veterinary behaviorist Terry Curtis of the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville has a cat that moved in with her after throwing over her first owner.

Molly, an orange tabby, originally belonged to Curtis’s neighbors, who also had two dogs and a newborn. The cat started coming over to visit Curtis and stayed longer each time.

“At my house, she could have toys, get more attention and not be bothered by the dogs,” Curtis says. When Curtis finally moved, Molly went with her. “The neighbors were really good friends of mine and they loved Molly, but they could tell she was happier with me.”
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26860866/
 
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Ivan Seeking said:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26860866/


My cat went out of the house on Christmas morning and never returned home ... I'm not really an animal lover however he took care of himself ever since he was little except for the food part - found him as a kitten inside the hood of my car during a morning that I took the SAT - it's been over a year since he is gone and I remember him every once in a while and wonder what happened to him. He's a quick one and very big so I'm inclined to believe that he has found greener pasteurs , he was injured and was kept inside the house for a couple of days ... perhaps he was disgruntled about this.
 
I was adopted by a cat once. It was a great cat, got along great with my two dogs. I have pictures of it laying stomach up across the paws of my very startled black lab/Chow mix.

Then one day the poor cat's nasty owner showed up saying it was his cat. :cry:

Mink (he couldn't meow, he just made a noise that sounded like he was saying "mink") kept coming back until I guess the owner killed him.
 
Evo said:
I was adopted by a cat once. It was a great cat, got along great with my two dogs.

Who adopted whom?

I believed it for like 4 seconds ...
:smile:


I think it's only cats who cheat.

But either dog or a cat .. they are living beings with some thinking capabilities. Why request for their endless unrequited love ... I wouldn't want a dog to always stay loyal to his owner if the owner can't take his care better than anyone else. I guess those people are just some jerks some superiority complex :(

More I think more disgraceful it gets :cry:
 
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My boss says he and some housemates owned a cat some years ago. One night, they attended a party at a neighbors house ... and found "their cat" right at home there! This cat was leading a double-life, and seemed to like both sets of owners equally.
 
All cats other than lions are solitary creatures who put up with others only if they get something out of it or are mother and young. A cat may stick around and even seem to like you, but give it a reason and it'll abandon you without ever looking back.
 
The cat next door used to live with people down the street, but moved in with my neighbors when he started getting more attention and better food there. Unfortunately, his new mommy and daddy just had a baby, so now I see him outside my door a lot, looking lonesome.
 
Math Is Hard said:
The cat next door used to live with people down the street, but moved in with my neighbors when he started getting more attention and better food there. Unfortunately, his new mommy and daddy just had a baby, so now I see him outside my door a lot, looking lonesome.

That's heartbreaking, MIH! You should adopt the poor little kitty!
 
I'm positive that Dr Foofer led a double life back at my old house. He rarely ate the food I gave him, but was always well fed. He'd be gone sometimes up to 3 weeks at a time.

Now he's an indoor cat at my new place and he adapted with no problem. I was really surprised. Unfortunately he gets his revenge with the constant nocturnal love fests he demands. He wakes me up at least twice a night to be petted. :frown:
 
  • #10
I would to. That's why my girlfriend quit sleeping over.
 
  • #11
lisab said:
That's heartbreaking, MIH! You should adopt the poor little kitty!

I probably would if my cat could stand him. He's an incredibly beautiful main coon. I give him petting and treats when I see him outside.