Why some cats accept several 'owners'?

by Lily
(Belgrade, Yugoslavia)

I recently noticed that my cat, a 6 year old domestic male who is not neutered, and likes to go around the neighborhood, has more 'hosts' beside my family. Obviously, with the food and attention he gets at home, he gets it at my neighbor's house too, and they obviously let him into the house and caress him, too.

I got a sort of disappointed, since I saw him running across the street towards me today, and I called him by name thinking that he's running to me, but he acted like not recognizing me and hurried to my neighbor's house, where I saw that someone opened the door and he hurried inside. Right a few hours before he was at home, being caressed and fed by us.

Why do cats do that? Is it usual that they accept more people as owners?
Where is my mistake?
Thank you!

Reply
Ah Lily
What can I say. I know exactly how you feel as i have two male cats who i know have other places they visit and get fed and sleep too. they always seem to come home to me at the end of the day though.

I too don't like the thought of them having other families etc but it's nothing we have done. Some cats who are very sociable will enjoy human comfort and company from anyone who will give it. especially if there is food on offer.

I still believe that they know where home is though and who there real owners are and feel more for them but as I say a sociable cat will accept food and comfort from anywhere it is on offer.

Perhaps you could speak to your neighbors and ask them not to let him in their house or feed him, after all he is your cat. My neighbor knows i don't mind my cats going into her house but that she must not feed them.

best wishes kate

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