Do Cats Get Sad When Rehomed – Things To Consider

While ideally, you would never have to give up a cat or have your cat rehomed, the unfortunate reality is that there are many reasons why a cat owner might have to give up their cat and have them rehomed. The first concern of many pet owners is how their cat will be affected by being rehomed. It’s an understandable concern since we know that you love and care for your cat. So, do cats get sad when rehomed?

Cats can get sad when rehomed. A cat that is rehomed is often intimidated by the process of rehoming. Cats can also miss their previous owners and become sad or depressed. Gradually introducing the cat to the home will help them recover and adjust to their new location. 

If you’re facing a situation where your cat needs to be rehomed, we know that it’s hard. We also understand that considering your cat’s reactions can make the whole process even harder.

We also think that you must understand how rehoming can affect your cat so that you can make the best decision possible.

You need to know how your cat might react to being rehomed and what steps you can take to make the process easier for your cat and yourself.

How Does Rehoming Affect A Cat

Every cat is a little different when they are rehomed. Many cats don’t realize what is happening initially, and rehoming involves a lot of change quickly. The whole process can be intimidating and frightening for your cat since you take them out of their territory and away from their home.

You can expect your cat to behave a little oddly, like they are frightened or, more commonly, like they aren’t very confident. If your cat gets anxious about going to the vet, you might see similar behavior when they are rehomed.

Do Cats Miss Their Owners

After your cat arrives in their new home, and the initial confusion and intimidation have passed, it’s common for cats to act sad or depressed.

Many owners of rehomed cats report that their cat spent a few days, or even weeks, looking around and calling for their previous owners. They can act lonely and defensive, and may also react badly to attempts to comfort or distract them.

This behavior is all because cats can bond incredibly tightly with their owners, and it naturally takes some time to adjust to losing those relationships. Just like it can take people some time to open up to new people after losing a friend or relationship, it can take a cat some time to recover and stop missing their previous owners.

The good news is that your cat can recover and move on if you’ve found a great new home with someone who will take care of them and help your cat through the transition.

Do Cats Remember Previous Owners

Yes, cats do remember their previous owners. This question is similar to whether cats miss their previous owners, but we’re going to take it a step further. Cats certainly remember and miss their owners in the days and weeks following being rehomed.

But what about months and years later?

What if you re-home your cat with a friend or family member and come back and visit them later?

We’ve seen cats respond with absolute glee when their previous owners come to visit. They can remember their owners and respond with love and affection for months and even years after being rehomed and if they haven’t seen their previous owners in all that time.

Of course, not all cats respond this way. Some cats can be resentful of being re-homed, or may no longer feel the same deep connection they once had. That’s especially true of cats that form a particularly close relationship with their new owners.

It’s essential, even if your old cat doesn’t seem very affectionate when you see them again, to remember that it’s important to respect their feelings. Your old cat is just trying to do their best with the situation, and it’s not fair to get mad at them or be hurt if they choose not to be affectionate or loving with you after they have been re-homed.

My Cat Still Loves Me, And I Can Take Them Back

Sometimes circumstances change, and you might have the opportunity to take a cat you’ve previously rehomed back. It can be particularly tempting if your old cat still reacts with joy and affection when seeing you.

But is taking your cat back the right option?

Regardless of your other circumstances, you need first to consider whether your situation is likely to change again. Cats, like all animals, deserve some stability in their lives. You should never re-adopt a cat you’ve previously re-homed if you might need to give them up again.

You should also talk with their new owners and consider them, and the unique bond they have built with your old cat. Even if your cat still loves you, they might be better off in the stability and love of their new home.

If you do take your cat back, you need to commit to giving them their forever home. Rehoming your cat for a second time is more likely to hurt them emotionally and make it harder for them to bond with their owners.

What Is The Best Way To Rehome A Cat

When you need to rehome your cat, you must do everything you can to make the process as easy as possible.

The first consideration is finding a home that is a good match for your cat. You need someone who can love and take care of your cat, but you also need a home that works well. If you are rehoming multiple cats and they get along, you should try to rehome them together.

You should also consider whether your cat is a good match for a house with children or other pets, or whether they would do better as an only pet.

Once you’ve found a good home, ask your cat’s future owners to give you a towel or blanket. Pet your cat with these items to help them get used to the scent of their future home and associate it with a positive experience.

Suppose your cat’s new owners are planning to change your cat’s diet. In that case, you should also ask what brand of food they are considering and starting transitioning your cat over as soon as possible—rehoming it hard enough without adding digestive problems into the mix.

Offer to buy pheromone dispensers for your cat’s new home. The pheromones will help reduce their stress and make the transition easier. Chances are, after the first dispense charge is done, your cat won’t need it anymore.

Lastly, when it comes time to rehome your cat, you should provide your cat’s new owners with some of your cat’s favorite toys and treats. You should also send one of your blankets or towels with them without washing them. That way, your cat can hang on to your scent for a little longer.

They’ll be comforted by having something to remind them of you, even if you can’t be with them.

You should also recommend that your cat’s new owners keep them in a small space, preferably a single room, for a few days to start their transition. Giving your cat a smaller area to start will help make the whole process less intimidating.

Your cat’s new owners can also use the smaller space to help teach your cat to associate them with food, playtime, and attention, which will help them develop a positive bond early.

How To Cope With Giving Up A Cat

We know that giving up a cat is difficult, and as much as we hope you can make the transition easier on your cat, we also know that you need to be taking care of yourself at the same time.

Consider taking extra photos of your cat in the days leading up to rehoming them. Make a photo album or scrapbook to remember them.  

Some cat owners will even take videos of their cats playing, or of them purring, or even sleeping, to help remember their cat and to have something to hold on to.

Try to keep your cat’s life as healthy as possible, leading up to rehoming them. It will help both of you. Don’t try to withdraw from your cat to make their transition more comfortable, it will just stress and confuse your cat, and you’ll likely regret not getting those last precious days together.

If possible, ask your cat’s new owners if you might be able to visit your cat. You can even consider video calling your cat if you’re giving them to a willing friend or family member. Your cat might not be able to see you clearly on the video, but they can often hear and recognize your voice.

Just be careful, visits and video calls can help some people and their rehomed cats, but they can also make the process harder for others.

Mostly, do whatever feels right to you. Give yourself extra time and attention after rehoming your cat, and listen to what your heart says it needs.