Grieving in cats
Little attention is paid to the subject of grieving in cats,
largely because they are often seen as independent animals that
retain much of their 'wild' nature. But cats do exhibit
behavioural changes after the loss of another cat and sometimes
these can be difficult to understand.
When animals are closely bonded they are more likely to be
upset by the loss of their companion. 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. 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.
Signs of grief
There is really no way to predict how a cat is likely to
behave when a companion is lost. Some cats seem completely
unaffected and, indeed, a few may even seem to be positively
happy when their housemate disappears. Others may stop eating
and lose interest in their surroundings, simply sitting and
staring; they seem to become depressed. A few cats undergo
personality or behavioural changes when a companion is
lost.
While there has been no major research on the subject of
feline bereavement, a survey by the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found that cats ate less,
slept more and became more vocal after the death of a companion
cat. But encouragingly, in the 160 households surveyed, all
pets that lost a companion were behaving normally within six
months.
How can we help?
There are a number of things you can do to help a grieving
cat to overcome the loss. Minimising change gives the cat time
to come to terms with the loss of a companion cat. Keep the cat
's routine the same. Changes in feeding times or even simply
moving furniture around can cause further stress. A grieving
cat may go off its food. A cat that goes off its food for
several days is in danger of a potentially fatal liver disease
called hepatic lipidosis. Encourage eating by warming food
slightly or putting water or meat juice or it. Sit with your
cat during meal times to provide reassurance. Don't be tempted
to change diets to stimulate appetite as this may cause
digestive upsets. If the cat does not eat for three days seek
veterinary advice. Quality time Spend more
time with the cat grooming, stroking and playing. This will
give a positive feel to any changes in the house that the cat
senses. Don't attempt to replace a lost cat immediately. While
your remaining cat may be missing a long term companion, she is
unlikely to welcome a stranger when she is still unsettled
about the loss. A new cat at this time simply provides an extra
source of stress. Like many species, time spent sniffing and
nuzzling the dead body of their companion may be a necessary
part of the grieving process. It can therefore be helpful to
bring the body of a euthanased cat home rather than have it
cremated at the vet's. Whenever dramatic changes in behaviour
occur, the cat should always be checked by a vet for any
underlying physical problem. Unresolved behavioural problems
can be referred onto animal behaviourists. Pet loss
support Helping your cat to overcome grief can be
especially difficult if you are having trouble coming to terms
with the loss of your cat yourself. Sometimes it helps to share
your feelings with someone who knows from personal experience
just how distressing the loss of a pet can be. The Pet
Bereavement Support Service is a confidential telephone
helpline that offers such support through a national network of
trained volunteer Telephone Befrienders. The Helpline is run by
two charities, The Blue Cross and The Society for Companion
Animal Studies. The Helpline is open daily 8.30am to 5.30pm
with an answer phone outside these hours.
To make contact, call the freephone
number: 0800 096 6606
A co-ordinator will give you details of the nearest Telephone
Befriender. Ref: Feline Advisory Board - www.fabcats.org