When a cat loses a companion, whether animal or human, she most certainly grieves and reacts to the changes in her life. Cats alter their behavior when they mourn much like people do: They may become depressed and listless. They may have a decreased appetite and decline to play.
While no-one will ever know if a cat understands death, they certainly know that a fellow housemate is missing and that something has changed in the house. The owner's distress at the loss of a pet may also be communicated to the cat, adding to the confusion it may be feeling.
It can take anywhere from days to months for a cat to go through these three stages. The ASPCA study had similar findings, stating that all cats who had lost a companion returned to normal within six months.
When you have a bonded pair of cats, it can be tough on everyone when one of the cats dies. Grieving the loss of a cat is very challenging and the amount of distress can be similar to to losing a beloved human. For cats, they can exhibit similar behaviors to humans when they are depressed or grieving.
Cats do, indeed, grieve. They cannot tell us how they feel. And the owners in the family may overlook behavior changes while dealing with their own sense of loss. Not every pet will react at all, while a percentage seems to suffer greatly.
One of the most common signs of cat grief is increased meowing or even yowling. It can be heartbreaking to listen to, but you should be careful not to “reward” this sort of behavior. Resist the urge to give your cat treats in order to quiet her. Instead, ignore the meowing or gently hush her.
Avoid new changes
Keep in mind that as losing a cherished feline companion of their own was already a huge life change and adjustment for them, it is best to avoid introducing any new changes into their routine and to keep everything as usual as possible until they are further along in their grieving process.
While cats certainly do have emotions, such as grieving or depression, they will never shed tears to show those feelings. If you are concerned about your pet's emotions, look for other signs such as lethargy, withdrawal, or disinterest in food. These issues can also be a sign of illness.
They will only feel a needle prick, but some felines may be more sensitive to this than others. If your vet injects the euthanasia drug directly from a needle and syringe, again they may react slightly to the needle prick but will not experience any pain when the drug is being injected.
To summarise, cats don't think about their day or how they feel. But they do think about previous situations they have encountered. For example, when your cat is chilling out, it's not thinking about anything in particular.
There does not appear to be a standard way to respond to the loss of a companion or even a set time over which to do so. Some cats will go through the process in a matter of days, others will skip the withdrawn, depressed phase and a few may show signs of disturbance for several weeks or even months.
There was another study in 2011 that was published in the "Animal Behavior" journal, with findings that show cats being able to recognize their littermates up to 2 years after being separated. It was observed that the cats preferred the scent of their littermates more than that of cats that they didn't know.
According to Katenna Jones, an Associated Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, and owner of Jones Animal Behavior, some cats can be very social and get lonely easily, while others may be more solitary and prefer to be alone.
Some cats experience seizures before they die. This can be convulsions accompanied by yowling noises. The cat may have several in the hours before death, may seem to not recognize their owner or understand where he is.
Young kittens often miss their mom and siblings and show signs of separation anxiety after being taken into the new home. However, it doesn't take them too long to adapt to the new home and develop bonds with their new family. Once this happens, they typically forget their mom and siblings.
Necromones are a type of pheromone discharged from dying or decaying animals. Researchers believe that dogs can identify necromones in sick people and animals, including their canine companions.
Research suggests cat ownership aids — and hinders — anxiety and depression. Here's how cats can influence mental health. Feline friends are known for being the perfect antidote when you're feeling down or stressed, with strokes, snuggles, and gentle purrs helping put smiles back onto faces.
Cats don't cry tears when they're sad or in pain. But Halls says whether your cat is experiencing emotional or physical pain, they'll exhibit behavioral changes that could include vocal crying. The sound of a cat crying is typically longer in duration and lower in frequency than day-to-day cat chatter.
Creating a relaxing environment for your cat, with access to toys, scratching posts, and a safe space away from potential threats, can help reduce anxiety. Playing with your cat and providing them with interactive toys, such as wand toys and puzzle toys, can also reduce anxiety.
You can show your cat love by simply spending time with them. Let them sit on your lap to watch a movie or snuggle up while you read a book. Cats need to play in order to stay happy and healthy. You can help them play by providing toys and interacting with them.
Provide a Safe Outdoor Space
The best solution is to build a cat enclosure or cat run that provides them with the smells, sights, and sounds of the great outdoors, but keeps them safe and secure inside our Catnetting solution. Yes, indoor cats do get depressed but there are ways to make them much happier.
Provide closure. Pets have a limited understanding of death as finality. It's tough, but if possible, let your pet see the body of his deceased friend. He may not totally grasp the situation, but one last visit may help him understand that his pal is gone.