one of my cats passed away recently and now his old spot?

Question

is being occupyed by my other cat. she doesn't exactly act like she knows that he's gone. but before he passed away she never layed there. ever. they were brother and sister so I don't know if that is her way of her coping with his loss or what. she's more friendly now to and she is beginning to do the unusual cute things that my other cat once did. any ideas of why she's doing these things? it doesn't bother me, I'm just curious.

Answer 1

It's great to read of someone like you who is not just a pet owner, but a devoted part of your cats' lives. I've had eight cats during the last decade and had every kind of goodbye, and it's a big transitory period. My last loss was a cat that we'd had from kittenhood until he was 16 years old and when he was about 7 we adopted a kitten that was abandoned by his mother. So that kitten grew up with the older one every day of his life. When it came time last year for the eldest to pass on, I was concerned about how the younger brother would take it. He knew that we went to the vet and came home without him. At first he seemed like he didn't notice. But then slowly but surely he began assuming the roles of the one who'd passed on. They are very aware of what's happened, more than we give them credit for. A domestic cat that you share you life with knows everything about where he lives because that is truly his whole universe. I think that by your cat lying in the others old spot soothes him about his departure and by doing cute things that your other cat once did is his/her way of making you feel better. This was a good question.

Answer 2

She misses him! Cats have a sense of what is going on and SHE KNOWS hes gone. She might not realize hes never coming back, but she knows hes gone and that spot is her way of staying close to him. Even cats that fight if torn apart after living together for years would miss each other. Shes probably lonely now that her companion is gone and thats why shes "being cute" to get attention and get you to pet her or play with her more. Give her ALL the attention she wants- shes grieving!

Answer 3

Often a pet will react like this when another pet in the household dies. She is probably lonely for the other cat. I am sure she smells him and by sleeping in his place she feels close to him. Now that the other cat is gone she feels a little more attention and less competition and more the leader of the pack. The other cat may have been the lead cat before.

Answer 4

My mom had 2 Siamese cats (1 is still alive and they were brother and sister). When the male died her other cat didn't act really act like she missed him but they were really close so I think she did. A while after he passed away she started doing things that her brother used to do. Like whenever my mom would roll over on her bed, her cat would have to be on the side where her face was but she never used to do that, her brother would. Maybe it's just something cats do when another cat passes away, I dunno... Sorry that didn't seem to help much!

Answer 5

Probably her way of grieving.. Cats are so human, you would be amazed how they can act. She is most likely trying to comfort you also. Letting you know that she is not forgetting her brother too.

Did you know that cats have up to 30 vocal tones?

Answer 6

i think animals mourn in there own way, i had a old mutt dog once and we got a puppy schn. and they lived together for at least 4-5 yrs or so, and when the older one passed, the pup( the same night) in his sleep he howled and cried and NEVER did before or after you could tell he was sad, i work at a kennel and MANY people tell me that when the pets have a several yr relationship and one passes the other will mope, not eat,sleep more-- just act different so in my own oppinion they DO mourn!!

Answer 7

I have the same situation going on in my House..after my 18 year old calico died, all my other 3 cats grieved so hard , I had to call the vet and ask. now the other female sits in my lap and sleeps with me...and the spookiest thing now, she acts like the calico cat, imitates her behavior...really strange..I guess we still can learn allot from our pets..sorry about your loss...

Answer 8

it's like having a friend that you didn't spend much time with, for what ever reason. then the friend moves or passes away. then you miss your friend. your cat is going through the same thing. she misses him. just knowing he was there was a comfort to her.she didn't feel alone, now she does. wait awhile. if she keeps acting like she is now, get her a new friend.

Answer 9

Surprisingly, even though she never laid where he did, doesn't mean she doesn't miss him. This happens alot when there is more than one pet. Quite normal Yes, she is just grieving. Hard to lose a pet, my condolences. Love her for all she's worth.

Answer 10

Oh believe me, your cat knows the other one is gone. They suffer too. When my oldest cat was put to sleep, our other one cried and howled and went nuts looking for her, it was heartbreaking.