Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: chimpzoo on April 14, 2007, 12:01:55 PM

Title: random question
Post by: chimpzoo on April 14, 2007, 12:01:55 PM

this is something i've always wondered...

if a kitten is separated from it's mother and goes to another home as usual, what would happen if it met it's mother again years later? would they know eachother? happy to see eachother?

this isn't a situation that might happen with me, i'm just curious

Title: Re: random question
Post by: Ela on April 14, 2007, 12:09:46 PM

Quote

if a kitten is separated from it's mother and goes to another home as usual, what would happen if it met it's mother again years later? would they know eachother? happy to see eachother?

Pass, I don't think so really. I mean cats don't know they are brother and sister and should not mate do they?  ;D Even if they did I don't think you would ever know really especially if they were 2 friendly cats anyway and would get on with other cats immediately.

Title: Re: random question
Post by: chimpzoo on April 14, 2007, 12:12:11 PM

Quote from: Ela on April 14, 2007, 12:09:46 PM

Quote

if a kitten is separated from it's mother and goes to another home as usual, what would happen if it met it's mother again years later? would they know eachother? happy to see eachother?

I don't think you would ever know really especially if they were 2 friendly cats anyway and would get on with other cats immediately.

ha ha, i never thought of that.

Title: Re: random question
Post by: Hippykitty on April 14, 2007, 12:38:50 PM

Female cats seem to recognise each other: hence the fact that feral colonies are largely made up of related females. Not sure if they would know each other after a period of separation though.

Title: Re: random question
Post by: CurlyCatz on April 14, 2007, 15:52:04 PM

to my knowledge no they wouldnt recognise each other..Perhaps if they had lived together for a very long time then were separated for a year maybe but i think they'd have to live with each other for years first.

Apparently this recognition thing is something that humans actually share with chimps /apes but most other animals do not.

Title: Re: random question
Post by: ccmacey on April 15, 2007, 12:22:10 PM

I don't think so, about 2- 3 weeks after I got my first kittens I brought their mother over and I think she might of recognised them as she was licking them but the kittens didn't want to know and just kept trying to get away from her.

Title: Re: random question
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on April 15, 2007, 12:37:10 PM

I can't imagine she would recognise him.  Just think how some cats react when a housemate has been to the vets.  I don't think they'd recognise each other's scent.

Title: Re: random question
Post by: Hippykitty on April 15, 2007, 13:25:42 PM

Maybe that's because of all the horrid vet smells!  >:(