Expert: Dear Tabbi - 8/14/2008

Question
My family has always been very close to our animals. We now have three cats, including the new addition to our family that I rescued from a abusive home. I saved him a little over two months ago.
The kitten I recently rescued is around 19 weeks old and I have been his main care taker. He sleeps, eats, and his litter is in my room. I have been very close to him, my parents even joke that I am his mother and he is a "mamma's boy". I haven't been away from him for more than 2 days the entire time that we've owned him.
I am going to England for school starting in September (till May) and I am wondering if there is any chance that he'll remember me when I come. I will be coming home for a week or two for the holidays but other than that I will be staying in England. I am very attached to him and it would break my heart if he treated me like stranger the moment I came home.

Do you know if there's a chance he would remember me when I come home for the holidays?

Answer
Liz,

Yes, he will more than likely remember your voice. Cats recognize humans by their voice and their smell, not by sight.

He may suffer separation anxiety and grieve when you leave and become depressed. He may not eat and sleep alot. He will need someone to give him a lot of attention and reassurance, and play with him to keep his mind off of you until he adapts to your absence. I would start now having another member of the family feed him and play with him to get him 'weaned' off of you. Maybe let him sleep a couple of nights a week in someone else's room to get him used to not having you with him at night.

I hope this helps, and enjoy England. That will be a great experience.

Tabbi