Cats can form very strong bonds with their people, other cats in their household, and even other family pets including dogs. Although your cat may not be able to use words to tell you that he is sad, they are expressive animals that have other ways to convey their feelings. You may notice a change in your cat’s eating habits, toileting habits, and even mood after another pet dies.
Below, we look at how to tell if a cat is grieving and the steps you can take to help your cat cope with the loss.
Do Cats Grieve?
We don’t really know if cats understand the concept of death or the idea that someone has died. Instead, we have to extrapolate what they feel from their behaviors. Often includes changes in appetite, litter box use, or activity level. Cats who experience the loss of a pet close to them can exhibit behavioral changes at different time periods following the loss, something we usually think of as grieving.
The 7 Potential Signs Your Cat Is Distressed
Signs of grief in a cat are similar to those seen in humans. And, as with humans, different cats seem to deal with grief in different ways.
1. Changes in Appetite
Some cats eat less when they are stressed or anxious, while others may eat more. You should have a good idea of ​​how much food your cat usually eats, whether they are a free eater or have set meal times.
A small change in food levels is not usually a cause for concern unless it continues for a long time, but if your cat refuses to eat or refuses to stop eating, this may be a problem that needs to be addressed. .
2. Changes in Sleeping Patterns
Deprived cats may sleep more, which can be hard to tell since most cats spend most of their day sleeping. They may also sleep less, choosing to wander around the house at all hours of the day and night. They may seem restless and also wake up more often.
3. Restless Behavior
If your cat is missing a person or another animal, you may see them wandering around the house, as if looking for them. This can happen in the middle of the night or even during the day when you would normally find them playing or sleeping. They can also appear more to the side or jump, quickly leaving the room any time there is a loud noise or sudden movement. They may also not like to play or hang out in their favorite places.
4. Increased or Decreased Vocalization
This anxiety may be accompanied by a raised voice as your cat calls out to try to get a response from his lost guardian. Cats that are normally vocal may not use their voice much.
5. Change in Exercise Levels
Your grieving cat may not want to get up to scratch at their scratching posts as often and may not want to go outside for exercise. This will be particularly noticeable if your playful cat turns their nose up at a favorite toy wand or ignores a light toy they normally enjoy.
6. Sadness
Cat owners can usually tell how their cats are feeling even by subtle changes. It could be a change in tail position or a change in the pitch of a meow. Trust your gut and use your experience with your cat to help determine if they seem lonely or missing their feline friend.
7. Want More Attention
Grieving cats may seek reassurance from people with whom they have a strong bond. Hopefully, this means you. While some cats will hide in their favorite cat cave, others will come and seek the reassurance and familiarity of your lap.
How to Help a Grieving Cat
Time really is the greatest healer when it comes to loss, in most cases. However, there are steps you can take to help reduce the distress caused by losing your cat. If your cat does not respond to your help and continues to grieve for a long time, consult your veterinarian.
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1. Stick to a Routine
Cats are creatures of habit, and they thrive on routine. If you’ve lost a cat, dog, or family member, it’s all too easy to let the routine slide. What your cat may be missing is their normal routine of scheduled mealtimes, long play sessions, and naps. Try to keep the same routine as before as this will help your cat to accept the changes in their life.
2. Give Them Space
If your cat wants to grieve alone in their favorite place, you should give them time and space to do so. Your cat needs to process the loss, just like you do, and as much as you want to make things right and probably want to be with your cat, space may be exactly what they need right now.
Make sure they are fed and watered, provide a comfortable place, and wait for them to come to you for attention and love.
3. Give Them Time
Time heals, or at least helps fade the pain of loss. Your cat needs to process the loss and get used to the changes they’re going through in their lives, and that means giving them time to do that. Don’t try to push things.
4. Give Treats… Sparingly
If your cat is eating less as a result of his sadness, you can try giving him extra treats. A small amount of tuna on top of their usual food, or some extra cat food can make them feel better, at least for a while.
5. Play
Cats use play in different ways. Not only does it hone their hunting skills, but it’s also a great way to let off steam and release anxiety. A grieving cat can benefit from some extra playtime so grab the wand toy, toss the stuffed mouse, bring out the catnip ball, and let your four-legged friend rest.
Conclusion
Cats are emotional little animals and although we can’t tell what they feel, their response to loss is often similar to grief in humans. If your cat has lost a feline friend, a human family member, or even the family dog, they may be feeling the same sense of loss as you.
Give them the time and space they want, but be ready to play, provide reassurance if they come to you, and monitor their feeding and exercise levels over time.
Featured Image Credit: Greerascris, Shutterstock
