Do cats grieve?

Question

I had two maine coon cats and they where both brothers from the same litter. One died the other day and his brother seems so depressed. Can cats or animals get depressed/ If so what can I do about it. He seems so sad!

Answer 1

Hi, yes cats do grieve. Cats can can even sense and pick up on their owners emotions such as depression. As cats get older they are more prone to depression when dramatic changes occur in their household. This can include the loss of another cat or a human, also the addition of another family member or pet as well. These are all dramatic changes for a pet.
Cats will show depression in anyone of different ways. They may hide in a covered spot such as under the bed or in the closet, tempoarily stop eating thus not using the litter box much, appear sad and lifeless, sleep even more that normal or have no desire to play. What can you do about it? Good question. The cat needs to know that not everything changed. It needs extra attention and love for awhile to let them feel secure. Talk to them as they know your voice and will find it soothing. Pet and massage them, brush them, hold and cuddle them. Basically they need you now more than ever. It will take some time, but the cat should turn around. Try not to make any other big changes for awhile until the cat starts to get back to himself. If it is a young cat, you might consider getting another cat for company, but only after your boy picks back up. Good luck and hope this helps. Shahin

Answer 2

I have had cats all my life. I have raised many, and yes, they do grieve. One cat got so sick when I left her behind while I went on vacation, that she almost died. She was diagnosed as being "emotionally upset". The doctor prescribed vitamin B-12. Although I had left her with another cat (they were cared for by a neighbor), I was "mommie" to her. Sugar had a litter of kittens that died because her milk didn't come in. The last one to die was awful...she would not let me give it a burial. She cried like a woman does. Two days later, I brought home a 3 week old kitten (not weaned yet, but old enough that I could care for it if Sugar rejected it.) There was no rejection, Sugar jumped in the shoebox and began nursing right away. Jenny lived to be 17 and was very well cared for.

I have a 9 year old cat now. When he was 3, I left him behind with my ex-husband in another state. Jasper was a "daddy's boy" and I thought at the time that it was best. 8 months later, I found him downtown on a snowy, -20 degree night. I called to him and he came right to me. He had been abandoned for 4 months. Our first night together, I put Jasper next to me under the covers, and he literally cried all night, like a little boy. It broke my heart. He is well now, and my best friend. To this day, though, if I should cry (as a woman does on occassion), he cries too, making little "waaaa...waaa" sounds.

The best way for anyone (human or animal) to get over a loss is to replace it with new good thoughts ( I tell Jasper I love him and that I won't leave him again...and I haven't.) Also, find a new friend for your kitty to bond with.

I hope I answered your question.

Answer 3

Yes, cats (and dogs too) grieve and become depressed. When one of the other animals die they are sad. Try to give the remaining cat more attention and as soon as you can get another cat. It won't take the place of the one you lost but it gradually will help and your other cat won't be so lonely. Sometimes it takes a while to get used to each other though.

Answer 4

Yes, of course animals grieve. I'm not sure what to do about it, but yes, animals do miss each other and pine for the departed pack member. Depending on the surviving cat's age and temperament, you might consider getting another kitty as a companion to the lonely cat. But wait a while and see if he adjusts first. A newcomer might just stress him out more right now. Give him lots of love and understanding. Talk to him and tell him you miss his brother, too. Kiki

Answer 5

I personally believe they defiantly grieve in their own way. When I had my first baby I quit giving my cat attention and she did get depressed and went off and died. But I've known alot of people with cats and dogs that grieved. I think the best thing is to love on them if they will let you.. and give them some time to adjust.. they're just people with fur on you know..

Answer 6

ABSOLUTELY, then can and do! They get depressed and they miss the other one. I couldn't say if the one knows the other passed or has been looking for him, but he knows he's not there.
I had a "sitter" tell me one of mine would sit at the top of the stairs in a droopy mess and not move and not allow petting when I went out of town. And I know when I lost my last boy, his female companion was squeezing herself under the loveseat he used to lie in front of and getting stuck because she was trying to find him. They are emotional beings just as we are, and way more intelligent than people give them credit for. So yes, your kitty is grieving. Give him lots of attention and love, try to distract him with play if he'll go for it. It's a process that takes time, JUST EXACTLY like a human would go through. Toys, treats, playtime -- anything to distract from the grief will help him get past it. Good luck.

Answer 7

He misses his brother. You didn't say how old they were. If just kittens, the remaining one will get over it pretty quickly, but if they have been together for years, it will take longer. He will have a grieving period much like we do when someone dies.

When I sell puppies, the mother and remaining pups grieve the ones that have been sold, and I know when a pup goes to a new home, they grieve for a short while until they get adjusted to a new home.

Answer 8

Absolutely! Cat's grieve just as we do, and could also fall into a deep depression. This is very common when they lose an owner or sibling. You should contact a vet and discribe your cat's behaviour to him/her. They will be able to better instruct you on how to care for your cat, what steps to take next, and what signs you should look for.

Answer 9

definite, i've got faith cats do grieve and have emotions. I doubt even however, they might starve themselves to death or purposely attempt to dedicate suicide. I do merely no longer think of they have that best of reasoning applications, and their survival intuition might conquer the no longer ingesting (except they have been incredibly bodily sick.) Your pal ought to take the cat to the vet. You did no longer say how the different cat died, yet "no longer being waiting to stroll or carry his stability" feels like the sign of something heavily bodily incorrect with the cat. advance into the different cat ill? possibly this one has the comparable ingredient. If the cat is fantastic bodily, he's merely going to need time, even though the vet may be waiting to prescribe some anti-rigidity medicine for it. Adopting yet another cat or kitten might additionally help.

Answer 10

I think they do. My cousin once had 2 brother cats. One of them was killed while he was getting "fixed". And afterwards the other brother would wander about the house meowing, as if looking for his brother. He ran away soon after.

I have a maine coon cat too!