Will Your Cat Forget You When You Board it?
ShareLeaving your cat with a boarding service for the first time can be extremely stressful, however qualified and experienced they happen to be. One worry which occurs again and again is a fear that the cat in question may forget its owner by the time that they are picked up.
Firstly, your cat will definitely not forget you. There are hundreds of stories out there concerning cats who have been lost for years, and still remember their owners when they are finally reunited. Remember, cats have a hugely superior sense of smell, and they'll know your scent anywhere, so there's no need to worry about being forgotten.
Most of the time, your cat will be desperate to get back into your arms as soon as they see you coming. However, you should be prepared for the fact that some cats may be upset with you for leaving them. This can occur whenever you leave your cat alone for more than a few days—whether you leave them with a sitter, or in a boarding facility.
Your cat may be stand-offish with you at first, and fail to return your affection. They may often go and hide when you take them back home, or just ignore your presence. This is what makes many people fear that cats forget their owners after periods apart, since they essentially act as if they have forgotten who you are. But really your cat will just be a bit annoyed that they had to do without you for a while.
When this occurs, it's best not to try and force interactions with your kitty. Instead, simply act normally, or sit quietly in the same room they're in. It won't take long for your cat to come out and start playing with you again. After this occurs, it's likely that you'll receive an incredible outflowing of purrs and affection from your furry friend.
It's usually hard to predict whether a cat will exhibit that 'forgetting behaviour', or whether they'll be desperate to crawl into your lap right away. Some owners report that leaving the cat with plenty of its own toys means they'll be more forgiving when you return, and most agree that providing an item of your clothing (unwashed) for them to curl up in will help too.
After building a bond with your cat, the last thing you want is for them to forget you. Luckily, this isn't something you need to worry about. You're the most important thing in the world to your cat, and they'll never forget you. You might get the cold shoulder for a couple of hours, but everything will quickly return to normal. For more tips and suggestions, talk to companies like Cottage Kennels & Cattery.