I'm extremely attached to my cat and need some help

Hey there, 

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum category, but it's worth a shot. 

I'm 20, and adopted my cat when she was 8 weeks old have we have not left each other's side for the year I've had her. I'm very very emotionally attached to her, and she's very attached to me. 

However, I was given the opportunity to study in England for 10 months and I leave next week.

I can't help but cry every time I think of leaving my fur baby. I'm overcome with guilt and fear that she will grow depressed or forget about me.
She will be staying at her current home (with my parents, dogs, and sister) and will be well taken care of. But I am having such a difficult time with this. I've even been tempted at times to defer my offer at my overseas university because I can't bare the thought of leaving her.

Can any of you get me advice on attachment issues? and tell me if you think my baby will forget about me with 10 months?

@muggie

Welcome to the Catsite

And thank you for adopting your kitty. Most of us are very attached to our kitties and vice versa. As fit your case, this is your opportunity to go and study. Yes, 10 months seems pretty long. But you have no choice big you don't go now, somewhere later you still have to go and complete your studies.
As for now, at least you know that your kitty is in good hands. Let your family members ha e a bigger part in taking care of her so that she will be used to them when you leave.
What you can do is leave your unwashed clothing around so that your scent is still around. This way, you don't really disappear for a period of time. But be aware that there is such a thing call seperation anxiety which we can't help, in either way of the cats or us.
So dun be sad as your kitty can sense that too. As long as your scent is around the house, I think your kitty has a lesser chance of forgetting you.
This is what I think and maybe others have a better solution for you. Please wait for more concrete replies.

Hi, @Muggie  

TabbyTom gave you great advice!

I don't think your kitty will forget you since you said you have a really close bond, plus leaving things with your scent should help.

Of course you'll miss your furbaby while away, any of us would. You can ask your family members send you pics and short videos of your kitty every day. Some cats also recognize their human's voice on the phone or skype. (My family cat still recognizes my voice when I skype with my parents )

Thank you for your purraise @KiraTheCat!

Back at you @TabbyTom  

Good thinking on leaving unwashed clothes for kitty 

KiraTheCat said:

Back at you @TabbyTom
 
Good thinking on leaving unwashed clothes for kitty :bigthumb:

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That was what did when we went away for two weeks. I placed our clothes at the place where my boy always sleeps. And throughout the trip, we were sent photos of him each day because we wanna see his face and also we did face time so that he can hear our voice to let him know that we did not abandoned him. And when he heard our voices, he was wondering where we were as his puzzled face was looking for the voice but couldn't find us :lol3:

TabbyTom said:

That was what did when we went away for two weeks. I placed our clothes at the place where my boy always sleeps. And throughout the trip, we were sent photos of him each day because we wanna see his face and also we did face time so that he can hear our voice to let him know that we did not abandoned him. And when he heard our voices, he was wondering where we were as his puzzled face was looking for the voice but couldn't find us

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Awww, this is so sweet Kitty's feelings are very important!

When I call my family (skype, different country) kitty always comes running to the speakers, rubs all over them, meows.  it's been several years since I last saw her, she still remembers me. 

I would not be able to leave a beloved pet behind for any long length of time that's just me,

it would come along to share the Journey 

Welcome to the site Muggie

Get your parents to send you a picture every day and you'll see her on Skype.

The 10 months will go by in a flash, believe me. So enjoy yourself while you're there and remember 10 months out of 20 years is nothing.

KiraTheCat said:

Awww, this is so sweet Kitty's feelings are very important!

When I call my family (skype, different country) kitty always comes running to the speakers, rubs all over them, meows. :rub:  it's been several years since I last saw her, she still remembers me. 

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That's good for you. She still remembers you [emoji]128077[/emoji][emoji]127995[/emoji]

Pegleg said:

Get your parents to send you a picture every day and you'll see her on Skype.

The 10 months will go by in a flash, believe me. So enjoy yourself while you're there and remember 10 months out of 20 years is nothing.

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That's right @Pegleg.

Let's hope @muggie will be strong to leave her kitty for that 10 months and hope her kitty get along well with her family and her kitty might have this seperation anxiety.

@muggie, don't worry, your kitty is in good hands and we are here to support you. Please go and concentrate on your studies and do well. It'll soon be over and you'll be back to your kitty. Don't let this disrupt your studies and I'm sure if your kitty can talk, she also say quickly go and quickly come back.