What happens to a cat when they lose a companion?
Closely monitor cats when they grieve. There is a wide range of how cats respond when a bonded companion is lost. Some grieve so deeply that they lose their appetite and stop eating. Those who refuse food for more than 24 hours are at risk of developing feline hepatic lipidosis, a serious and potentially fatal condition.
What was the name of the other cat that died?
Not long afterward, Pete’s other feline companion, Valentine, died of chronic renal failure, and once again, Pete grieved for weeks, moping, hiding, and overgrooming. Alison adopted Iggy as a companion for the sullen Pete. Fortunately, Iggy and Pete clicked right away, with Pete acting as Iggy’s protector.
Can a cat grieve the loss of a partner?
Even cats that constantly fight can grieve the loss of a feuding partner. 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.
How long does it take for a cat to recover from a loss?
No set time frame exists for determining when a cat is going to just “bounce back” after such a big loss. Like people, cats can’t just recover from grief on a dime. The process could take days, weeks, months or perhaps even years. The only thing you can do is try to make things a little easier on your precious pet.
No set time frame exists for determining when a cat is going to just “bounce back” after such a big loss. Like people, cats can’t just recover from grief on a dime. The process could take days, weeks, months or perhaps even years. The only thing you can do is try to make things a little easier on your precious pet.
Is it OK to get another cat after a loss?
Yet the more we loved the cat we lost, the more getting another cat can feel like a “betrayal.” We can resolve our difficulty by remembering we should be playing by different rules; this is “pet loss.” And in pet loss, no one has a Category like Mom or Life Partner.
Closely monitor cats when they grieve. There is a wide range of how cats respond when a bonded companion is lost. Some grieve so deeply that they lose their appetite and stop eating. Those who refuse food for more than 24 hours are at risk of developing feline hepatic lipidosis, a serious and potentially fatal condition.
What to do with a cat who has lost a sibling?
In some cases, the appropriate solution may just be to allow your cat some time and extra space. Thanks to your time, understanding and TLC, your grieving cat may be able to get through the situation with flying colors. Abstain from bringing a new cat into your home. A new cat cannot “replace” the lost sibling.