Hmmm…
DEAR ABBY: I have a question that may seem odd, but I hope you can give me an answer.
I know children can tell when a parent favors one sibling over another. What about cats? I adopted two cats — not littermates — from a shelter. While I love them both, one drives me crazy and the other is a sweet lovebug. Naturally, I prefer the sweet, cuddly one.
Can the kitty that drives me nuts tell that I prefer his “sister” over him? — LOVE ‘EM BOTH, REALLY, ALBANY, N.Y.
DEAR LOVE ‘EM BOTH: While I’m more of a people expert than an animal behaviorist, let me share this. Cats and dogs, after thousands of years of living so closely with us humans, are indeed sensitive to human emotions. They can tell when we’re happy, when we are nervous and when we’re depressed. If you lavish affection and/or treats on one and not the other, it can create jealousy.
You don’t know the history of the cats you adopted. It’s possible the one that makes you “crazy” had less human contact than “Lovebug” or was mistreated in some way. With patience and positive reinforcement he may come around, so please don’t give up on him.
