What to do if you regret getting a cat?

The best course of action may involve returning the pet to the animal shelter or rescue organization that you adopted from (some adoption contracts stipulate that you return the pet if things aren't going well). If this isn't the case or isn't possible, rehoming the pet yourself may be the best choice.

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Should I feel bad for returning a cat?

Don't Blame Yourself for Returning a Pet to the Shelter

In most instances no, it's not. Unless you're returning the pet for unprovoked aggression or an untreatable illness, they are probably going to find a new home where they fit right in. Even knowing that they'll be adopted again, you're still going to feel crummy.

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What do I do if I don't want my cat anymore?

In this case you must find an appropriate new home for the cat. This could be with family or friends, or if you purchased the cat from a breeder, they may be willing to take your cat back. The next best option is to surrender your cat to the local council, an animal shelter or rescue organisation.

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What to do if I regret getting a pet?

He says your best options for rehoming are contacting the breeder, if that is where the animal was sourced. "Often they will encourage you to bring it back if you can't take care of it." If you adopted the animal from elsewhere, there are rescue groups that can help.

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Is it normal to regret buying a pet?

Please don't feel alone or alarmed that you may be seriously regretting or rethinking your decision on new pet ownership. This is incredibly common. When taking on any new pet, be it a puppy, kitten or an adult animal everyone has a thought process on what they imagine pet ownership to be like.

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Rehoming Your Cat | Should You Feel Guilty About It?

33 related questions found

What is a good reason to return a pet?

Common Reasons Why Dogs Are Returned

Unexpected costs. Human health issues. Destructive behaviors (for example, soiling in the house, chewing furniture) Disobedience.

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Will you ever get over losing a pet?

Some people start to feel better in weeks or months. For others, the grieving process is measured in years. Whatever your grief experience, it's important to be patient with yourself and allow the process to naturally unfold. Feeling sad, shocked, or lonely is a normal reaction to the loss of a beloved pet.

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Why do I feel sad after getting a pet?

When bringing a new dog into your life, you probably envisioned all the fun things you'd do together. The reality, at least at first, maynot match up to those expectations. The dissonance between your expectations and reality can make you feel overwhelmed, sad, and disappointed.

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Why is losing your first pet so hard?

Why do humans feel such a deep loss for their pups? Because dogs are so much more than pets. As psychologist Julie Axelrod writes in a blog post, the loss of a dog is so painful because people are losing a little life that we were responsible for as well as a source of unconditional love and companionship.

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How do you forgive yourself for hurting a pet?

10 tips to help you practice self-forgiveness
  1. Embrace your guilt. ...
  2. Be specific about what you need to forgive yourself for. ...
  3. Think about your intention/motives. ...
  4. Let go of feelings of shame. ...
  5. Show yourself the same compassion you would show to a loved one. ...
  6. Guilt isn't always rational. ...
  7. Pay forward making amends. ...
  8. Talk to your pet.

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Will my cat be sad if I give her away?

When a cat loses a companion, whether animal or human, she most certainly grieves and reacts to the changes in her life. Cats alter their behavior when they mourn much like people do: They may become depressed and listless. They may have a decreased appetite and decline to play.

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Can you just let a cat go?

When can I let my cat out? Kittens need to be at least five months old before they go outside on their own. This gives them time to have all their vaccinations and they'll be almost fully grown. Adult cats will need at least two weeks to settle in so they have a chance to get used to their new surroundings.

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Will my cat miss me when I give him away?

Surely, the cats have to be rehomed to get proper nourishment. But sadly, as an owner, if you wonder do cats miss their owners when rehomed, the reply is yes. It is difficult for them to get over their long-cherished foster parents.

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How do you know if you shouldn't get a cat?

  • You're obsessed with kittens — but only kittens. We all adore the videos of tiny fluff balls getting into mischief, but don't get too stuck on those images. ...
  • You're barely surviving from paycheck to paycheck. This is a tough one. ...
  • You want a cat that acts like a dog. ...
  • You're rarely at home. ...
  • You have commitment issues.

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Do cats realize you're gone?

If you leave the house for a quick errand or two, it's unlikely your cat will even notice that you're not home. A quick pet and a snuggle can remind your cat that despite your absence, you've got kitty on the brain!

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Are cats smart enough to return home?

As amazing as it sounds, cats do have a special ability called a homing instinct that helps them find their way back home.

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Why is losing a pet so traumatizing?

Humans develop a lasting attachment with their pets, which breaks at the loss of the pet. Regardless of the manner of death, a pet owner may perceive the death as traumatic and experience distress or exhibit posttraumatic stress symptoms.

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Do people get depressed after losing a pet?

Pet Loss and Mental Health

Some people experience mental symptoms of grief, which may include confusion, trouble focusing, constant dwelling on your pet, or thinking you see or hear your pet. Loss of an animal companion can also lead to anxiety and depression for some people.

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How long is normal to grieve a pet?

Symptoms of acute grief after the loss of a pet can last from one to two months, with symptoms of grief persisting up to a full year (on average).

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Is it normal to feel guilt after putting a pet down?

Choosing to end the life of a suffering pet is a traumatic decision. Even when made with the most compassionate of intentions, it's quite natural to feel a certain degree of guilt. These feelings are a testament to the degree of love and devotion we felt towards our pet.

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How do you say goodbye to a pet?

Give them all the things they enjoy most – their favourite toys, their favourite food. You know what will make your pet feel most at ease in the time that remains. If you become tearful, ask a family member, friend or other trusted person to take care of your pet so you can leave the room and have a cry.

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Is it okay to cry over a pet?

Know that your grief is normal, and it's OK (and even important) to mourn the relationship you had with your pet.

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Can you get PTSD from losing a pet?

In such circumstances, some pet carers find that they experience flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for a long time after the loss of their companion.

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Is losing a pet the most painful?

Turns out it's actually quite normal for humans to experience more intense pain at the loss of a pet than that of a close friend or even a relative. For many people, the death of a pet is comparable in almost every way to the loss of a loved one.

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How do you grieve a pet cat?

Here are five steps to help yourself process your grief after the loss of a cat:
  1. Acknowledge Your Grief. ...
  2. Set Aside Specific Time for Your Grief. ...
  3. Surround Yourself With People Who Understand. ...
  4. Make a List of All Your Favorite Things About Your Cat. ...
  5. Memorialize Your Cat.

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