Do you ever catch yourself playing favorites with your pets?

When you have multiple animals all at once, this is more of a problem because the pets will actually compete for your attention. They will look cute, beg, cry, scratch at you, jump up on you, and perform a million other behaviors as well. A single pet doesn't have this problem so much and therefore, doesn't have to put so much effort into adoring you. When you have multiples, it usually depends on YOUR personality, as to which one gets the most attention. For example, if you are the quiet, unassuming type, you might prefer the pet who acts that same way. Or if you're outgoing and boisterous, the noisiest, most bouncy critter might be your preference. It has been said that people and their pets start to look alike after awhile... well, if that is true, then this may be the reason for it, for the most part. My current cat is an only 'child', so she can act aloof all she wants and still get all the attention she craves, but in the past I've had several cats in the house all at once. Even with all different personalities those cats still had to compete and see who could get the most attention, and yes, quite often, animals will pick out one person over another. Dogs always try to love everyone, but cats are a bit more finicky than that. They pick and choose, usually doling out adoration and petting permissions to only one or two people. However, I've had cats who would make the rounds, spending time with all the people, one right after the other. One would sit on one person's lap for a while, then wander off, only to jump up on to the next available lap. If a lap wasn't available, he'd hop up onto a shoulder and give that person a little cat 'massage' for a few minutes before wandering off to the next person. I think I have always preferred the pet who gave love freely but could also look after himself for a few hours too, so I could get things done around the house.