So I'm a long-time cat owner (current adult resident cat is a few years old, no dogs). A short backstory on me: I recently moved away from home for work training, and didn't bring my pets with me (they're at home with my family, whom they're more attached to). Even before moving I've planned on adopting a second cat. I visit home every couple of months or so, and will eventually move back permanently once I'm done with my training (so the new cat will eventually live with my resident cat). I've been carefully looking out for potential cats for a long time to find a good match.
Last week, I found him - a 2 yo boy who's calm and laid-back and that I got to know well before making the decision to adopt. Before bringing him home, I was so excited. I couldn't wait to finally pick him up, bought him a collar with his name on it, had all his supplies set up and ready for him and everything.
Today, I brought him home. He's a sweetheart and has adjusted easily already. However, as soon as I took him in the door and let him out of the carrier, I felt this sickening feeling in my stomach. I suffer from anxiety and depression, so it's a familiar feeling to me. I felt what I can only describe as guilt and regret: Guilt about bringing home a new cat and eventually forcing my resident cat back home to adjust to a new pet (he tolerates other cats but doesn't really care for them). Regret about being so "rash" in adopting another, even though this has been planned for months, a year even. Anxiety about now being responsible for another life and a potential change in the "pet dynamics" in our home. I felt so ridiculous and selfish in getting these feelings before I'd even set my things down after getting home - even more selfish when my instant thought when I first felt this was, "oh god, what if I have to give him back to the shelter?" - a completely irrational and ridiculous thought, but it's where my mind went and is what my anxiety keeps repeating to me.
I know "puppy blues" are real, but in my case I'm not even having to sacrifice much (no training or sleepless nights the way one might with a new puppy) so why am I feeling like this? - I hate that my brain works like this and that my anxiety is taking over. I know that it's only been a day and that my brain needs some time to catch up and adjust, just like a new pet does. I know that I just need some time. But I'm already overwhelmed even though I know I shouldn't be.
I guess my question is, have you ever felt anything like this, either when adopting a brand new first-time cat, or a second? If so, how did you cope? How long did it last?
Thank you if you read this far!
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from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/pje6bb/adopted_a_second_cat_and_feeling_ridiculously/
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