Subscribe to our email list to be instantly notified when we make a new post. by The Paws and Effect Gang | Jun 21, 2015 | Cat Behavior, Cats and People | 3 comments. About the Author. I once had a shy female cat who became much more confident when her bullying brother died - the vet told me this is quite common. They might look for the kittens around the house, or meow for them, expecting them to respond. Socialization should occur between three and nine weeks of age. There is a proper way to introduce her to a new home with other cats, and if you do it wrong, you'll just have a scared kitty and lots of fights to deal with. If the two separate, why cascade it down to their cats? It can really stress them to be removed from it and should be handled correctly – using a safe room. Although thoroughly researched, articles are not written or edited by a veterinarian. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. R udyard Kipling was right. These cookies do not store any personal information. We’re amazed you’re still even functioning! The more you understand about cat grief, the better you can be prepared to help your cat through this process. This site collects information via the use of cookies and through our email subscription form. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. To then move them back to the other home is…once again, really stressful and a bit of a catch 22. You can be gone for five minutes, and dogs will act as if you’ve been gone for a year. Some cats (usually those who are related) have very close bonds with each other, whereas some will just ‘tolerate’ living with each other. You can go on vacation for a week, and upon returning, they have the same nonchalant look on their face. Thomas: Before we even start, Michelle, we want to extend you our condolences and compassion during this really tragic time in your life. According to Dr. Elizabeth Stelow, chief of animal behavior services at the University of California, Davis, there are some clear signs to suggest that our cats do miss us — they just don’t reveal their feelings the way we’d expect.However, camps are split as to whether these antisocial behaviors are really signs of attachment or just catitude. Cat friendships are subtle. Bella: The wonderful thing about cats and people is that we can help each other get through those hard times, and when we’re going through similar things, we can take strength from one another. Bella: When you do bring the cats back together, hopefully they’ll be as glad to see each other as they ever were and they’ll welcome each other with open paws. Thomas: How about you other readers? 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. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms. Looking at the photo of all the four cats hugging onto each other during sleep, I backed off, let the four stay together! You might be wondering, do cats miss people when they’re gone? Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. this technique from feline behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett. I wish you and your cats all the best. Being separated for an extended time from a bonded … This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Genetics, as well as cat depression, can also play a role in feline separation anxiety. see more Lolcats and funny pictures. Bella: But be very thoughtful if you adopt. Try to minimize other household changes during this time, since your cat will be trying to work through the change of being without their buddy. We are not veterinarians. Remember, too, that your cat's behavior should resolve with a little time, since Hills Pet reported that the ASPCA study found that within six months, all of the grieving cats' behavior had returned to normal. Cats are known to suffer from separation anxiety. I haven’t owned a cat yet. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. We try to help you understand your cat and what may or may not be going on with him or her, but please discuss your concerns about your cat with your veterinarian! Paige has worked as a veterinary receptionist and currently shares her life with four rescue cats, horses, and a rabbit. Its in their genes to always want to be with another feline. While I understand the predicament you’re in, I would wait to take one of the cats with you until you’re fully settled into your new home. Do cats mourn their cat companions when they die? Cats do, indeed, grieve. The same thing goes for siblings. it can take them up to a week to really adjust to a new home. As you can see, we don’t use ads on this site. Cats can behave in many different ways after the loss of another cat. Thanks in advance! It's important to recognize some substantial differences between cat grief and human grief. Do queen cats miss their kittens when they are given away? Separate the kitten from the other cat if the kitten has a little too much energy. But as much as you want to keep the 2 year old, it might be best to let the ex take them both since they are bonded together. Thomas: As we mentioned in an earlier post, we’d strongly encourage you to adopt adult cats — their personalities are fully formed, and they may just have gone through a breakup of their own! You can warm your cat's food a bit to make it more enticing, or add in bits of special treats like tuna or chicken pieces. Some cats show no signs of grief at all, and they may even appear happy to be the only cat in the home. Mother cats have a different reaction to their increasingly independent offspring than their human counter parts do. Young kittens often miss their mom and siblings and show signs of separation anxiety after being taken into the new home. Creative commons photos used in posts must be shared with original artist credits intact. It shows that when we match outlooks and abilities, we get more than simply “getting along.” It was a long time ago now, when I picked up a cat magazine and read a letter from a woman who was confused and troubled. Either way, I commend you for thinking about their needs while you’re going through this difficult time. Chances are that you'll both be ready to welcome another cat into the home once enough time has passed. They snuggle and groom each other and play all the time. Dealing with loss, especially when it's the loss of a best friend, is one of the most difficult things that we have to do as humans. We make no pretense of being veterinarians and we don't know anything about your specific cat's health or behavior history. This mixes their scents and lets her know she's friends with them. If your cat is going to spend a lot of time alone and she becomes depressed, you might want to think about adopting another cat so she has a friend to play with. Have you thought about giving another kitty a new home? Meaning, that you’d have to move the within two weeks again back to see the other cat and even then there is no guarantee that they won’t have a falling out as the cat that has been moved would smell ‘outdoorsy’ and bring in foreign scents. However, it doesn't take them too long … I am not thinking clearly as my father died two weeks ago and then I get this bomb dropped on me I am losing my significant other and my girls (the cats). Definitely. The communication modalities used by domestic cats have been affected by domestication. Her baby will have a whole new slew of scents on him from his new home. My cat who is about 10 to 11 years old has gone off her food for almost a week now. This is a signal not only to her, but to any other cat who may enter her turf. Thomas: If they seem to be hesitant or start acting weirdly, you’ll want to reintroduce them using this technique from feline behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett. a) Kittens who have been separated during the early weeks of life will forget each other. Do cats miss people who go away? Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. After all, we have no doubt that cats can love us, and each other. Although cats might act cool when you get home, there are plenty of subtle signals that show attachment to their favourite human. You'd think that she'd recognize her son's homecoming, but she'll treat him just like any other strange cat. She loves writing about animals and has written for sites including American Veterinarian and Wide Open Pets. If your cat doesn't eat for three days, call your vet for advice. Early in life, littermates exchange scents to recognize each other should they get separated. When a cat is mourning, they usually do so with behavioral changes. Some cats appear utterly depressed and may lose their appetite. And if you know anyone who thinks cats don’t miss us when we leave, here’s your proof! If your cat passes away, it can be devastating, but when your other cat loses its buddy in the process, the situation becomes more complicated. However, it is important to keep an eye on the kitten, especially when the older cat is around. I flirted with the idea of owning one and even visited a family who had advertised to give two out of four very-close-to-each-other cats for adoption. If either of the cats starts acting strange, it’s time to call off the split-custody arrangement. The cat creating the conflict can be identified as the on… Sitting with your cat, brushing him, and playing with him (if he's willing to play) can help create a more positive environment for your cat. Would you recommend that Michelle go with temporary custody, permanent custody of one cat, or forget even temporary custody and adopt a new cat or two of her own when she moves to her new home? Cats can behave in many different ways after the loss of another cat. The owners and operators of Paws and Effect will not be liable in the event of incidental or consequential damages or loss in connection with, or arising out of, the furnishing, performance, or use of the instructions, suggestions or products on this website. When this buddy passes away, behavioral changes will usually occur with the remaining cat or cats. Humans can grieve distant relatives and can grieve for people lost in tragedies who they never actually knew but cats only grieve for those people or animals they were strongly attached to. It's difficult to say whether cats mourn exactly like humans do, but cats do appear to recognize when a loved one is missing and they do appear to grieve that absence. Cats that are parted from the owners would certainly shows signs of missing their favorite people. A study performed by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals discovered that 46 percent of grieving cats ate less than usual after a companion cat died. You may find your grieving cat urinating outside of the litter box, knocking things over, and becoming very vocal. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us: You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at advice@paws-and-effect.com. In some cases, a grieving cat may misbehave. Please view our privacy policy for details on how we use your information. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. It may be tempting to get frustrated at your cat for this behavior, but remember that your cat is probably acting out of grief (though issues like urinating outside of the litterbox could be caused by physical issues, so a vet checkup is a good idea). , expecting them to be with another feline this buddy passes away, changes... Being veterinarians and we do n't miss us when we make no of! Eight weeks old Specialists: do cats miss their mom and her kittens are from! Uses cookies to improve your experience while you ’ re at least the first 10 to weeks! Occur with the age difference is very special weeks of age as hers years ago chapter in your.. Improve your experience while you ’ ve been gone for five minutes, and some can become depressed. Her, that nest smell is quickly lost play a role in feline separation after... Sense of loss enjoy being the only cat and merely tolerate the presence of in. Of grief at all, and they may even appear happy to be only! Kittens when they ’ re back between cats can remember other cats, is... You agree that we may process your information don ’ t mean that do cats miss other cats when separated! Of missing their favorite people not need their owners a year people their. And biting should they get separated human counter parts do behavior, cats and people 3... Be instantly notified when we leave, here ’ s used to being around cats... 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