I found over my very long life that with animals as with people I developed different emotional bonds.

With my children I had consistent bonding. So it might be this cat. Perhaps think of it like out of all the pets of family and friends which pet would you take into your home irrespective of who owns it?

I found that i didnt feel the "love" for our cat in the same way I felt it when growing up with a dog. I think there are two reasons - i am no longer a child and i have children who i obviously love that much more.

So long as the cat is happy and cared for and you are happy to have it around, it doesn't really matter how much love you feel or not towards it.

Has this happened to anyone? About five years ago we adopted our third cat and I've never fallen in love with her. I suspect it's because it's "our" cat as opposed to the first two I had prior to marriage, but it bothers me. She's very well cared for, but...the emotion isn't there. Anyone else?