My 2 cats are mourning the loss of their 8 month old adopted sister. How do I help them through their sadness?

Question

I recently had to put down my 8 month old kitten who i had since she was 3 weeks, my 8 month old male and 14 month old female were very close to her and always cared for her. Now that she has gone to kitty heaven my 2 cats just aren't the same, they wont eat and when they do its a few mouth fulls. They wont play with any of their toys and my 14 month old female is constantly looking around for her and meowing. Im worried they will stop eating altogether.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to help through the process of lossing their sister?

Answer 1

Hi there again Mandy...cats mourn over a period of time and need our help to overcome the loss of their adopted sibling you lost to FIP. They know something is different and is why they are looking for her. Through time by showering your affections and offering them opportunties to play with favourite toys (if you can inspire them) and yummy treats will help them recover sooner. Be sure to watch their food and water intake and if they do not eat more than 3 days, consider ringing your vet and see if they can help you with stimulating their appetites. Cats get hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) when they stop eating and this could be very fatal. http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_hepatic_lipidosis.html

Here's a wonderfully well written article on feline grief & how to help your kitties manage through this difficult time for all of you: http://www.messybeast.com/cat-grief.htm

excerpt from messybeast: The first stage of grief is activation. During activation, the bereaved cat may spend hours or days looking for the missing companion. If the missing companion is a human family member, the cat may approach the door whenever someone enters the house. Outdoor cats may search their territory or sit on the doorstep waiting for the absent companion. If your indoor/outdoor cat starts searching, you may wish to restrict its movements for several days as normally home-oriented cats (and dogs) have been killed on the roads as a result. This stage is followed by depression. Over a few weeks (occasionally longer), periods of depression grow shorter and less frequent and normal behaviour returns. Normal behaviour may include some permanent behavioural changes related to changes in territorial rights or social standing.

On average, the healing process takes between two weeks and six months. During this time, a grieving cat will need reassurance and attention. This doesn't mean forcing attention on a withdrawn cat, but it does mean little things such as offering food treats, catnip or new toys to draw a withdrawn cat out of its shell or to reduce a suddenly clingy cat's over-attachment. If the cat is severely affected or shows no signs of overcoming its grief, a vet may prescribe anti-anxiety medication.

Answer 2

Definitely go to a health foods store and get some Ignatia which is a homeopathic remedy for grief. Give each cat one dose of 30C. That will help immensely to lift the heaviness from their hearts and enable them to move on.

They sound like such sweet cats. Eventually they should like another kitten. Give them some time to return to normal and recover from their loss before that though.

Answer 3

Choose a whole-wheat wrap rather then two slices of wheat breads.

Answer 4

Add protein powder to special recipes (like these Rice Krispies treats) to boost the nutrition.

Answer 5

Add protein powder to lovely recipes (like these Rice Krispies treats) to improve the nutrition.

Answer 6

dont let them mourn... i know how that is with cats and they just need somthing to do. give them a toy to play with or maybe even one of those obsticle courses that cats like to play on. keep their mind off of what has just happened..

good luck!

Answer 7

Eventually with time they will get over the loss. It takes a while as in humans but it will get better.

Or you could get another kitten! haha

Sorry for your loss

Answer 8

In spite of a reputation for being solitary, and as most cat owners will insist, cats are social animals. They are certainly as capable as dogs of forming deep attachments to humans and to other pets. Although it may be difficult to predict--or to understand--the social dynamics among cats in a multi-pet home, clearly at least some pairs form very close bonds. We have all known cats who follow one another, play together, groom each other and curl up together for naps. Even cats who appear aloof develop at least some interdependence with other animals in the household. Cats also form attachments with dogs, and accept all kinds of rabble-rousing and licking from their canine friends. It should come as no surprise, then, that cats can grieve the loss of any family member--including other pets. If your cat has recently lost an animal companion, it helps to be prepared for the following signs (and their solutions):

Although emotional depression is not a specifically recognized diagnosis in cats, behavioral depression certainly is. Depressed cats may sleep more and generally act lethargic, or they may act the opposite and pace the house for hours. Cats, like people, need the space to feel loss. After all, they certainly act as if they miss a long-time companion.


Some cats are more playful than others, and are fond of tussling, chasing and just running about with another pet. For these cats, the loss of another cat in the household may result in a dramatic behavioral change. If you notice that your previously silly cat has grown sullen, you can influence her behavior with new toys. Select several new toys from among the type she has favored in the past: simple dangling toys, fleece toys and balls are all interesting if they are also put away between play sessions. Try playing a video of birds or, better yet, present her with a new bird feeder (on the other side of a window, of course).


Although eating is not a social behavior among cats (as it is with dogs), grieving cats may show a decreased interest in food. For cats, and particularly those who are overweight, anorexia (lack of eating) can lead to a serious liver disorder called hepatic lipidosis. Decreased water consumption may result in crystal formation in the urinary tract, which can cause dangerous obstructions, especially for males. It may help to encourage your cat to eat by offering tastier canned foods along with dry food. In time, your cat should once again show interest in food on her own.


Changes in the social dynamics of your home can be confusing and may result in aggression between the remaining cats. In some cases cats may begin to urinate and defecate outside the litter box or even to spray urine--both commonly seen consequences of social upheaval or anxiety. Keep tabs on relationships, and monitor litter box usage to spot any potential problems before they become serious. If necessary, add extra litter boxes--especially if your cat is hiding or sequestering herself more than she previously did.


During this time of emotional distress, it is probably wise to avoid adding new pets to your home for at least several months. Even though your cat was closely bonded with the pet that died, he may not accept the arrival of a "replacement"--now or in the future.


Cats are resilient creatures. Given time to adapt to the loss of a companion, they will develop new rituals and regain the contentment they once enjoyed.

Answer 9

Salt causes bloating and butter is high in calories, so flavor pasta, cereal, meat, and stews with fresh new herbs, garlic, and onions alternatively.

Answer 10

wow, that breaks my heart. animals are simply amazing, they feel so much. the only thing i can think of is to give them time. stay home with them as much as you can, and give them lots of love. im really sorry for your loss :(