Do you think cats understand what is going on with us and are affected by it?

[onlyanimalsaregood]

I feel sorry for my cat because I feel that she now spends all day staring at me, especially when I cry. Sometimes I feel that she deserves better.

 

[Foresight]

Yes. I think cats are highly perceptive. I've had a lot of different pets over the years and I find cats to be the best emotional support.

 

[onlyanimalsaregood]

Yes. I think cats are highly perceptive. I've had a lot of different pets over the years and I find cats to be the best emotional support.

So you think that If I CTB she might get depressed? The first time I went away from home to study I had to leave her at my father's for a while and she started to get depressed, the vet at the time thought the same.

 

[Tristan]

Dunno much about cats, but if dogs do, then I am sure cats are even more prone to sensing things.

 

[Foresight]

So you think that If I CTB she might get depressed? The first time I went away from home to study I had to leave her at my father's for a while and she started to get depressed, the vet at the time thought the same.

I think if you go she will feel your absence, absolutely. Based on behavioral changes, I had a cat that seemed to deeply mourn the loss of another cat and a cat that always got upset when I'd be gone for a long time. They notice even small changes in their environment. They seem very observant to me.

 

[onlyanimalsaregood]

I think if you go she will feel your absence, absolutely. Based on behavioral changes, I had a cat that seemed to deeply mourn the loss of another cat and a cat that always got upset when I'd be gone for a long time. They notice even small changes in their environment. They seem very observant to me.

It's sad :( thank you for your reply

 

[sharky]

I think that is true for most animals/pets. They are all capable of the same emotions so when their owner is gone sure they are affected by it. Some get depressed. Dogs tend to cling on to rituals/places when they last saw their owner or scent on clothes or visit their grave and mourn. I'm sure cats do the same.

 

[onlyanimalsaregood]

I think that is true for most animals/pets. They are all capable of the same emotions so when their owner is gone sure they are affected by it. Some get depressed. Dogs tend to cling on to rituals/places when they last saw their owner or scent on clothes or visit their grave and mourn. I'm sure cats do the same.

How can I make this less painful for her?

 

[sharky]

How can I make this less painful for her?

You can give her lots of affection but at the end of the day she will suffer. But when you make sure she gets a good new home, she will learn to live with her loss, just like we do and she will find happiness again. But for the time being just give her every ounce of love that you have in you and she will feel better.

 

[lili]

I feel that your cat will deeply miss you. I have found they have such as good memory. When my friend brought their cat to my house even though it was a few months the last time I took care of it they remembered me, because they ran to my bed to cuddle. Even my friend was shocked.

Every time I cried while that cat was here they came to cuddle with me and give me so much love. Their highly perceptive.

Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to make it less painful for others if you CBT. At the end of the day it is a great tragedy for others as well. It goes both ways. Just like others have a hard time understanding why we want to CBT in the first place and they should be more understanding as to why we do this, we should also understand how greatly the decision we are making affects others.

Your cat won't experience as complex emotions as I described above and they will likely move on, but it's inevitable they will be sad at first.

 

[GentleJerk]

Cats can see behind the veil, and are super perceptive. They understand and are so supportive. But luckily food, territory and comfort dominates a lot of their thinking so they usually don't have enough time to worry excessively or think themselves into an existential crisis, and they move on from things pretty well.

 

[onlyanimalsaregood]

You can give her lots of affection but at the end of the day she will suffer. But when you make sure she gets a good new home, she will learn to live with her loss, just like we do and she will find happiness again. But for the time being just give her every ounce of love that you have in you and she will feel better.

She is about to turn 15, so I don't know if she will adapt so easily to a new home. I've been wondering who I could leave her with. Someone I trust. When I ctb I want it to be next to her and I want to be hugged with her.

Cats can see behind the veil, and are super perceptive. They understand and are so supportive. But luckily food, territory and comfort dominates a lot of their thinking so they usually don't have enough time to worry excessively or think themselves into an existential crisis, and they move on from things pretty well.

I wish I were a cat. Thank you so much for your reply

I feel that your cat will deeply miss you. I have found they have such as good memory. When my friend brought their cat to my house even though it was a few months the last time I took care of it they remembered me, because they ran to my bed to cuddle. Even my friend was shocked.

Every time I cried while that cat was here they came to cuddle with me and give me so much love. Their highly perceptive.

Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to make it less painful for others if you CBT. At the end of the day it is a great tragedy for others as well. It goes both ways. Just like others have a hard time understanding why we want to CBT in the first place and they should be more understanding as to why we do this, we should also understand how greatly the decision we are making affects others.

Your cat won't experience as complex emotions as I described above and they will likely move on, but it's inevitable they will be sad at first.

Life is so hard. Sometimes I think about waiting for my cat to pass away but I don't know if I can take it

 

[Quiet Desperation]

I don't have any answers for you. As a foster, I can tell you it is a fact that many cats do share a bond with their owners far beyond 'the person who brings me food'. I don't personally buy into all the spiritual stuff, but she will definitely feel your absence.

Whatever you choose, thank you for thinking of your pet(s) and not just abandoning them to their fate.

 

[onlyanimalsaregood]

I don't have any answers for you. As a foster, I can tell you it is a fact that many cats do share a bond with their owners far beyond 'the person who brings me food'. I don't personally buy into all the spiritual stuff, but she will definitely feel your absence.

Whatever you choose, thank you for thinking of your pet(s) and not just abandoning them to their fate.

I could NEVER abandon an animal. I think they are the only thing worth having in this world and my cat is without a doubt the love of my life.

 

[sharky]

She is about to turn 15, so I don't know if she will adapt so easily to a new home. I've been wondering who I could leave her with. Someone I trust. When I ctb I want it to be next to her and I want to be hugged with her.

I wish I were a cat. Thank you so much for your reply

Life is so hard. Sometimes I think about waiting for my cat to pass away but I don't know if I can take it

May I ask what your ctb method will be? Because obviously you want someone to pick up your cat before she starves, but not so soon that someone discovers you and saves you. Tricky. And when finding someone to take her in you will have to tell them about your plans, or am i mistaken here?

 

[onlyanimalsaregood]

May I ask what your ctb method will be? Because obviously you want someone to pick up your cat before she starves, but not so soon that someone discovers you and saves you. Tricky. And when finding someone to take her in you will have to tell them about your plans, or am i mistaken here?

I'll use SN. I don't live alone, I live with roommates but yes I was thinking of sending delayed messages but I'm not sure.

 

[CommitSudoku]

I feel sorry for my cat because I feel that she now spends all day staring at me, especially when I cry. Sometimes I feel that she deserves better.

I had wanted to get a dog as a reason to live but I'm glad now I didn't, the guilt is incredible for just wanting to escape the pain of life and leave things behind. I would agree with what another user said about just treating her the best you can now. Animals, and pets especially, can be very perceptive, which also means she'll enjoy the quality time and attention with you while you give it to her. You obviously care for her deeply so I don't know what better there is for her than being loved and appreciated as long as you're there to do so. Your depression may be affecting you a lot but it doesn't take away the years you've been with her and the bond you have. I don't think she'd want anyone else, so just give her as much as you can now. I wish you the best, I'm glad you have her with you but I know too how hard that must be, your username is very accurate.

 

[onlyanimalsaregood]

I had wanted to get a dog as a reason to live but I'm glad now I didn't, the guilt is incredible for just wanting to escape the pain of life and leave things behind. I would agree with what another user said about just treating her the best you can now. Animals, and pets especially, can be very perceptive, which also means she'll enjoy the quality time and attention with you while you give it to her. You obviously care for her deeply so I don't know what better there is for her than being loved and appreciated as long as you're there to do so. Your depression may be affecting you a lot but it doesn't take away the years you've been with her and the bond you have. I don't think she'd want anyone else, so just give her as much as you can now. I wish you the best, I'm glad you have her with you but I know too how hard that must be, your username is very accurate.

Send you lots of love

 

[symphony]

I saw this the other day and meant to respond but forgot... whoops.

Anyways, I would say yes, many of the animals we keep as pets are highly intelligent and perceptive. I don't notice my kitty acting differently when I'm more emotional, but she does miss me when I'm gone. Recently I was hospitalized (and only for a few days too) and I'm told my kitty was making these sad, lonely meows she's never made before and that she kept going up to the places I usually hang out, looking for me.

Hearing that broke my heart. I imagine all the time the consequences for her if I ctb. She's so innocent and pure, and she wouldn't have the capacity to understand where I'd gone. She'd just... wonder where her favorite human left, feeling sad and lonely, hurting inside, maybe feeling scared. If she's not taken in by someone she already knows, she'd have to be rehomed, and not for the first time in her life.

Sometimes I feel that she deserves better.

I know this isn't the context in which you said that, but this is the #1 thing keeping me alive. She does deserve better, in that she doesn't deserve to have to learn what it's like to lose me.

 

[Shu]

100%

 

[onlyanimalsaregood]

I saw this the other day and meant to respond but forgot... whoops.

Anyways, I would say yes, many of the animals we keep as pets are highly intelligent and perceptive. I don't notice my kitty acting differently when I'm more emotional, but she does miss me when I'm gone. Recently I was hospitalized (and only for a few days too) and I'm told my kitty was making these sad, lonely meows she's never made before and that she kept going up to the places I usually hang out, looking for me.

Hearing that broke my heart. I imagine all the time the consequences for her if I ctb. She's so innocent and pure, and she wouldn't have the capacity to understand where I'd gone. She'd just... wonder where her favorite human left, feeling sad and lonely, hurting inside, maybe feeling scared. If she's not taken in by someone she already knows, she'd have to be rehomed, and not for the first time in her life.


I know this isn't the context in which you said that, but this is the #1 thing keeping me alive. She does deserve better, in that she doesn't deserve to have to learn what it's like to lose me.

I fully understand you and my cat is also what is holding me up

 

[NSA]

My cat seems to mimic whatever state I'm in. When I'm stuck in my head, he'll meow and run around acting silly, but will eventually give up and sleep on the counter all day. Then when I "rise again" a few days later, he'll ignore me but then slowly get up and follow me outside.

Its sad. I don't want to give him my issues.

 

[710]

I could NEVER abandon an animal. I think they are the only thing worth having in this world and my cat is without a doubt the love of my life.

A few years ago, I came very close to committing suicide. The reason I didn't was because I was worried about what would happen to my cat. This is obviously weighing heavily on you and 15 is pretty old for a cat. Perhaps you could wait. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.

 

[FindingPeace8]

All other mammals feel emotional pain. She can definitely feel when things are wrong with you. Your cat will definitely be traumatized if you ctb and she is there to witness it. She will also be traumatized by you not existing anymore. Don't do it in a place where she can access you. Do you have a plan for her care?

My dog passed away from old age recently. He had a good life and told me when it was time. If he was still alive I wouldn't be on here thinking about cbt. Our animals are our responsibility and definitely a reason to live and get help while you still can. I haven't adopted another animal because of my desiring cat. If you must do this then just make sure she is taken care of by someone who really really cares.

 

[Chiisai]

I believe we as beings give off energy and animals are more keen to it than us because us humans have dulled it due to our verbal and other means of expresssive nature. That is why animals often fear or even become defensive when someone gives off a vibe they can take the animal down and some people have animal affinities because of their welcoming nature. Therefore, animals understand us. Just not in the way we think as humans do.

 

[onlyanimalsaregood]

My cat seems to mimic whatever state I'm in. When I'm stuck in my head, he'll meow and run around acting silly, but will eventually give up and sleep on the counter all day. Then when I "rise again" a few days later, he'll ignore me but then slowly get up and follow me outside.

Its sad. I don't want to give him my issues.

Cats are awesome, great companions. Make the most of your cat's company.

A few years ago, I came very close to committing suicide. The reason I didn't was because I was worried about what would happen to my cat. This is obviously weighing heavily on you and 15 is pretty old for a cat. Perhaps you could wait. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.

Thank you for your support :)

All other mammals feel emotional pain. She can definitely feel when things are wrong with you. Your cat will definitely be traumatized if you ctb and she is there to witness it. She will also be traumatized by you not existing anymore. Don't do it in a place where she can access you. Do you have a plan for her care?

My dog passed away from old age recently. He had a good life and told me when it was time. If he was still alive I wouldn't be on here thinking about cbt. Our animals are our responsibility and definitely a reason to live and get help while you still can. I haven't adopted another animal because of my desiring cat. If you must do this then just make sure she is taken care of by someone who really really cares.

I agree. But I feel that no one can replace the relationship that she and I have