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Cats/Separating brothers

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Expert: - 5/9/2009


Question
So, when my boyfriend and I first got Chester and Jack, they had been separated for about a three weeks, but still living with a litter mate.  I acquired them from a friend, and received them about three days apart.  They didn't get along for the first three days, but after that, they were buddies.  I often catch them grooming each other, cuddling, rough housing, and simply eating with each other.  However, I am moving in with my brother, and my boyfriend is moving in with three friends; one has a cat.  He has argued that since one cat is his, he should be able to take it when he moves; and acclimate him to his roommate's cat.  My argument simply requests that they stay together because they are brothers, and have been living together for about 9 months.  If Zach separates Jack and Chester, will they get over it, or will it cause behavioral problems?

Answer
Sarah,

Usually cats will have some separation anxiety under these circumstances.  However, this usually only lasts a couple of weeks.  You will just have to see how it goes.

If which ever one you keep is still moping around after about a month, you might look into getting a buddy from the local shelter.  If so, I would get a kitten (about 4-5 months of age) as an established cat is more likely to accept a kitten than an older cat.

Best regards... Norm.  

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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