Help! Why does my cat love my partner more than me?

My accomplice Simon and I are moderately clever folks (don’t giggle) with broad pursuits and a busy social life, however currently, at residence, our household conversations have devolved right into a single monotonous subject: the cat.

Hector is our much-loved, good-looking gray and white feline who excels at elegant stretches, inappropriate public licking and delicate loud night breathing. So, why are we at all times speaking about him virtually continually? Effectively, it’s as a result of he solely has eyes for Simon.

Hector leaves our daughters and me out within the chilly, and the rejection stings. Not solely does he actively keep away from us, however he’s been identified to chew and, on the uncommon events when he sits on one among our laps, we all know we’re simply getting used – as quickly as Hector hears Simon strategy, his ears prick up and he’s off.

Hector likes to trot after Simon as he strikes round the home, sits on the kitchen bench to look at him do the dishes, and at all times claims the prime spot subsequent to him on the couch – nobody can intrude on their bromance. Simon is unbearably smug about it, however my daughters and I are outraged and harm. Our dialog goes round in circles: “Why doesn’t he love us again?” we ask.

And we’re suspicious, too. Deep down, we’re beginning to suspect that Hector merely dislikes ladies. Is that even doable? I determine I want to search out solutions.

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Doubtful of the plethora of unregulated “cat whisperers”, I contact licensed veterinarian and pet counsellor Dr Chantelle McGowan of Melbourne clinic The Calm Pet Vet for her opinion. I’m probably not stunned by her reply: a convincing “no”.

Hector is just not a misogynist, says McGowan, though she is sympathetic to my state of affairs – she’s been there.

“My first cat, Louie, liked my husband greater than me,” she says. “Nevertheless it’s as a result of after we first received him, I knew far much less about animal behaviour.”