Comments on: Do Cats Mourn? http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/do-cats-mourn/3328 understand their nature Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:52:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Katherine http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/do-cats-mourn/3328/comment-page-1#comment-18018 Katherine Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:40:10 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3328#comment-18018 2wks ago, we put our 16yr old orange tabby, K.C. to sleep. We'd tried for over 2wks to save him. (syringe fed, Sub Q IV, meds etc) sadly, he didn't get better. My husband & I, are heartbroken, he's been with us since birth & we're devastated by the loss. We have 2 other cats, an 11yr old, Gris Chat, (adopted 4yrs ago) & a 14yr old cat, we've had since birth, Penny. She was born of K.C. & Patches (our beautiful girl Patch died 6yrs ago). Gris Chat was close with K.C. & they cuddled, played, wrestled & groomed each other daily. He seems to accept K.C.'s absence. K.C. was Penny's biological daddy, they were beyond close...best friends...she was her daddy's girl. We had our vet do a home euthanization, which went very poorly, (we're not pleased). Our vet caused unnecessary stress for our sick cat & major stress for our other 2 cats. Our cats could hear the screams, growls & hisses of our sick cat, (I can still hear him in my head...absolutely horrific), they'd been in our bedroom & by the time we let them out, the vet was gone & we'd laid our deceased cat K.C., out on a blanket on the couch. Both cats took turns being by K.C.'s side. Gris Chat was a bit freaked, his fur went puffy & he made a sad little cry, when he realized K.C. was gone...he jumped off the couch & went to lay down. Penny sat by K.C.'s body, crying mournfully. We let her stay by his side for a couple of hours, talking to her, petting her, & saying our tearful good-bye's to our cat of 16yrs. When we wrapped our dead cat in his favourite blanket & put him in a box, Penny kept rubbing herself up against the box & crying. It calmed her when K.C.'s body left our home to be buried at a friend's property. For the first few days afterwards she seemed ok....except for an unprovoked, out of character attack on me the day after K.C. died. For the last 10 days, she walks through the house calling for her K.C. She cries out for him over & over. Her eyes look so sad. She seems distant & far off...she stares at the wall for hours on end. She's never been fond of Gris Chat (who seems mostly unaffected by K.C.'s death & he's tried many times to befriend Penny before & after the death). She's mourning & depressed. She's eating less, & doesn't want to spend time with us. She's stopped sleeping in our bed, (where they've all slept for years). When she gets in the chair where she slept in with K.C for years....she spends 10min sniffing where K.C. used to lay, & finally lays on her side of the chair, leaving the space where her buddy always laid beside her...open. She's lost interest in being cuddled by me (she lets hubby give her cuddles) she's lost interest in toys, catnip & treats. She seems angry with me. The day K.C. died, I'd held him on my chest, in my arms while I whispered words of love in his ear, as he passed away. After Penny found K.C. had died, Penny kept sniffing the shirt I'd worn when I'd held him him...dying. The day after he died, she attacked me & bit me (really hard too...just out of the blue). I was on my laptop, sitting where I'd sat when I held K.C. in his last breathes, & she lunged from the other side of the couch, at my hand, growling, hissing & very aggressive. She's never done this before...ever. There haven't been attacks since, but she doesn't want much to do with me now. Could she be blaming me for K.C.'s death? I put Penny & Gris Chat in the bedroom before the vet came. It was my voice trying to calm our sick cat, who was screeching, growling, & terrified at the vet trying to put in the IV without sedation, (they finally sedated him but by then he was already totally upset) & it was me, who held him sedated, when the vet administered the shot to stop his heart. I held him & cried for a long time before I let the cats out of the bedroom. I don't know if Penny smelled hormones caused by K.C.'s fear, & after she'd heard him screeching from upstairs, & came down to find him dead...she figures I'm the culprit who killed her buddy? I don't know what to think. I've tried to be extra attentive with both cats since K.C.'s passing, Gris Chat seems none the worse for wear, but Penny doesn't want much to do with me. I'm heartbroken to lose my best friend of 16yrs, I can't stop crying over him. I miss him so much. I still miss Patches, & she's been gone 6yrs. Penny's my last link, the fur child of Patches & K.C....she looks & acts like both of them. I'm so upset that I didn't know to demand sedation before the attempt was made to put the IV in K.C.'s front leg. I was told sedation wasn't given until the IV was in. I was shocked, horrified & on the verge of being hysterical, that my cat made awful noises in terror...noises I'd never heard come out of him in 16yrs of living with us. I feel I let him down by not being more educated about the process & options of euthanization. When Patch was put down, she was already unconcious in a coma from being hit by a car (she'd was an indoor cat but also an escape artist). I didn't know sedation was available before the IV was put in. I paid double the price of clinic euthanization to prevent trauma & fear in my cat...so he could die peacefully at home, in his own blanket, on his own couch, in my arms. It was anything but peaceful....I'm still having nightmares. I wanted our other cats could see him after he was gone...hoping it would prevent them searching for him. (K.C. mournfully searched for Patches for a month after her death). The whole thing was absolutely horrific, & now I have a cat who used to adore me, & now she seems to be afraid of me, or dislikes me, because I think she blames me. She doesn't look at me with soft lovey eye blinks anymore...she stares at me with annoyance & anger. I feel I've lost two cats at the same time. One is gone forever & the other wants nothing to do with me. I hope she comes around...I need her. I'll never allow a vet to do that again. Sedation by hypodermic or oral, before I'll ever let them stick an IV in them...ever again. I'm so sad. K.C. was my best friend & companion. We spent 16 beautiful, wonderful, awesome years together, & it breaks my heart that in his last moments, he was afraid, hurting, & I didn't protect him. 2wks ago, we put our 16yr old orange tabby, K.C. to sleep. We’d tried for over 2wks to save him. (syringe fed, Sub Q IV, meds etc) sadly, he didn’t get better. My husband & I, are heartbroken, he’s been with us since birth & we’re devastated by the loss. We have 2 other cats, an 11yr old, Gris Chat, (adopted 4yrs ago) & a 14yr old cat, we’ve had since birth, Penny. She was born of K.C. & Patches (our beautiful girl Patch died 6yrs ago). Gris Chat was close with K.C. & they cuddled, played, wrestled & groomed each other daily. He seems to accept K.C.’s absence. K.C. was Penny’s biological daddy, they were beyond close…best friends…she was her daddy’s girl. We had our vet do a home euthanization, which went very poorly, (we’re not pleased). Our vet caused unnecessary stress for our sick cat & major stress for our other 2 cats. Our cats could hear the screams, growls & hisses of our sick cat, (I can still hear him in my head…absolutely horrific), they’d been in our bedroom & by the time we let them out, the vet was gone & we’d laid our deceased cat K.C., out on a blanket on the couch. Both cats took turns being by K.C.’s side. Gris Chat was a bit freaked, his fur went puffy & he made a sad little cry, when he realized K.C. was gone…he jumped off the couch & went to lay down. Penny sat by K.C.’s body, crying mournfully. We let her stay by his side for a couple of hours, talking to her, petting her, & saying our tearful good-bye’s to our cat of 16yrs. When we wrapped our dead cat in his favourite blanket & put him in a box, Penny kept rubbing herself up against the box & crying. It calmed her when K.C.’s body left our home to be buried at a friend’s property. For the first few days afterwards she seemed ok….except for an unprovoked, out of character attack on me the day after K.C. died. For the last 10 days, she walks through the house calling for her K.C. She cries out for him over & over. Her eyes look so sad. She seems distant & far off…she stares at the wall for hours on end. She’s never been fond of Gris Chat (who seems mostly unaffected by K.C.’s death & he’s tried many times to befriend Penny before & after the death). She’s mourning & depressed. She’s eating less, & doesn’t want to spend time with us. She’s stopped sleeping in our bed, (where they’ve all slept for years). When she gets in the chair where she slept in with K.C for years….she spends 10min sniffing where K.C. used to lay, & finally lays on her side of the chair, leaving the space where her buddy always laid beside her…open. She’s lost interest in being cuddled by me (she lets hubby give her cuddles) she’s lost interest in toys, catnip & treats. She seems angry with me. The day K.C. died, I’d held him on my chest, in my arms while I whispered words of love in his ear, as he passed away. After Penny found K.C. had died, Penny kept sniffing the shirt I’d worn when I’d held him him…dying. The day after he died, she attacked me & bit me (really hard too…just out of the blue). I was on my laptop, sitting where I’d sat when I held K.C. in his last breathes, & she lunged from the other side of the couch, at my hand, growling, hissing & very aggressive. She’s never done this before…ever. There haven’t been attacks since, but she doesn’t want much to do with me now. Could she be blaming me for K.C.’s death? I put Penny & Gris Chat in the bedroom before the vet came. It was my voice trying to calm our sick cat, who was screeching, growling, & terrified at the vet trying to put in the IV without sedation, (they finally sedated him but by then he was already totally upset) & it was me, who held him sedated, when the vet administered the shot to stop his heart. I held him & cried for a long time before I let the cats out of the bedroom. I don’t know if Penny smelled hormones caused by K.C.’s fear, & after she’d heard him screeching from upstairs, & came down to find him dead…she figures I’m the culprit who killed her buddy? I don’t know what to think. I’ve tried to be extra attentive with both cats since K.C.’s passing, Gris Chat seems none the worse for wear, but Penny doesn’t want much to do with me. I’m heartbroken to lose my best friend of 16yrs, I can’t stop crying over him. I miss him so much. I still miss Patches, & she’s been gone 6yrs. Penny’s my last link, the fur child of Patches & K.C….she looks & acts like both of them. I’m so upset that I didn’t know to demand sedation before the attempt was made to put the IV in K.C.’s front leg. I was told sedation wasn’t given until the IV was in. I was shocked, horrified & on the verge of being hysterical, that my cat made awful noises in terror…noises I’d never heard come out of him in 16yrs of living with us. I feel I let him down by not being more educated about the process & options of euthanization. When Patch was put down, she was already unconcious in a coma from being hit by a car (she’d was an indoor cat but also an escape artist). I didn’t know sedation was available before the IV was put in. I paid double the price of clinic euthanization to prevent trauma & fear in my cat…so he could die peacefully at home, in his own blanket, on his own couch, in my arms. It was anything but peaceful….I’m still having nightmares. I wanted our other cats could see him after he was gone…hoping it would prevent them searching for him. (K.C. mournfully searched for Patches for a month after her death). The whole thing was absolutely horrific, & now I have a cat who used to adore me, & now she seems to be afraid of me, or dislikes me, because I think she blames me. She doesn’t look at me with soft lovey eye blinks anymore…she stares at me with annoyance & anger. I feel I’ve lost two cats at the same time. One is gone forever & the other wants nothing to do with me. I hope she comes around…I need her. I’ll never allow a vet to do that again. Sedation by hypodermic or oral, before I’ll ever let them stick an IV in them…ever again. I’m so sad. K.C. was my best friend & companion. We spent 16 beautiful, wonderful, awesome years together, & it breaks my heart that in his last moments, he was afraid, hurting, & I didn’t protect him.

]]> By: Michele http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/do-cats-mourn/3328/comment-page-1#comment-16767 Michele Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:07:08 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3328#comment-16767 Crystal, I think Reptar is just adjusting to his new situation. He probably feels uncomfortable during this change. If he didn't get along with her, he still needs time to adjust. I'm sure he will be alive and fine :) Crystal, I think Reptar is just adjusting to his new situation. He probably feels uncomfortable during this change. If he didn’t get along with her, he still needs time to adjust. I’m sure he will be alive and fine :)

]]> By: Justin http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/do-cats-mourn/3328/comment-page-1#comment-15581 Justin Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:44:16 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3328#comment-15581 Profound :O. Thank you for writing and sharing this with us. This was both very moving and extremely informative. Thank you so much! Profound :O. Thank you for writing and sharing this with us. This was both very moving and extremely informative. Thank you so much!

]]> By: Crystal http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/do-cats-mourn/3328/comment-page-1#comment-13365 Crystal Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:10:20 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3328#comment-13365 My cat Aptar just died. I had her for about 11 years. She had a son Reptar which we still have. They didn't get along even though she was his mom. Well my question is I think he's depressed? But they didnt get along is this possible? And he never sleeps with me but he has been lately. He will come to my room and scratch on the door, something he's never done. Is this a sign he might die too? They say cats act strange before they die??? My cat Aptar just died. I had her for about 11 years. She had a son Reptar which we still have. They didn’t get along even though she was his mom. Well my question is I think he’s depressed? But they didnt get along is this possible? And he never sleeps with me but he has been lately. He will come to my room and scratch on the door, something he’s never done. Is this a sign he might die too? They say cats act strange before they die???

]]> By: Joyce http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/do-cats-mourn/3328/comment-page-1#comment-13038 Joyce Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:54:00 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3328#comment-13038 We have a cat who will be 14. He has lost two cat companions and become hyperactive following the loss. He kept running up and down the stairs, almost in my mind looking for them. He stopped each time when a companion cat was introduced. I have also seen one of my cats do something I have never seen before. One of our cats was being threatened by a dog, and the other cat came running from somewhere and went after the dog!!! Both kitties were unharmed. The dog had got lose (a large Doberman). We have a cat who will be 14. He has lost two cat companions and become hyperactive following the loss. He kept running up and down the stairs, almost in my mind looking for them. He stopped each time when a companion cat was introduced.
I have also seen one of my cats do something I have never seen before. One of our cats was being threatened by a dog, and the other cat came running from somewhere and went after the dog!!! Both kitties were unharmed. The dog had got lose (a large Doberman).

]]> By: Katie Woodruff http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/do-cats-mourn/3328/comment-page-1#comment-12681 Katie Woodruff Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:42:45 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3328#comment-12681 5 days ago, someone ran over our kitten, Moe. My cat Fig gave birth to him on st pattys day of this year. Moe was both my husband and I's best friend. Sweetest cat ever loved everyone. 5 days ago, fig and moe we're both outdoor cats. Fig would not stop following us as we picked moe up, dug a hole in the back yard and burried him. She was right by us the whole time. Now fig is an indoor cat so we don't have to worry about her getting hit. She has never been an outdoor cat until we moved into where we're living now. She is pregnant so I can't tell if she is just moping around or really depressed by laying around all the time. I mentioned moes name as she was looking at me and she put her head down whined a little inside (not meowed). It tears me up. When we were living at my mothers house, fig was indoor moe was outdoor with my moms cat pumpkin. Pumpkin used to protect moe since hed never been outside before. Since we moved pumpkin will not go inside to eat. She just keeps waiting for moe to come back. (Pumpkin is indoor outdoor) idk how to explain to her he's never coming back... 5 days ago, someone ran over our kitten, Moe. My cat Fig gave birth to him on st pattys day of this year. Moe was both my husband and I’s best friend. Sweetest cat ever loved everyone. 5 days ago, fig and moe we’re both outdoor cats. Fig would not stop following us as we picked moe up, dug a hole in the back yard and burried him. She was right by us the whole time. Now fig is an indoor cat so we don’t have to worry about her getting hit. She has never been an outdoor cat until we moved into where we’re living now. She is pregnant so I can’t tell if she is just moping around or really depressed by laying around all the time. I mentioned moes name as she was looking at me and she put her head down whined a little inside (not meowed). It tears me up. When we were living at my mothers house, fig was indoor moe was outdoor with my moms cat pumpkin. Pumpkin used to protect moe since hed never been outside before. Since we moved pumpkin will not go inside to eat. She just keeps waiting for moe to come back. (Pumpkin is indoor outdoor) idk how to explain to her he’s never coming back…

]]> By: Beth http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/do-cats-mourn/3328/comment-page-1#comment-12590 Beth Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:49:36 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3328#comment-12590 Jennifer - Can you see if you can get one of Stewies brothers or sisters back? It sounds like he needs a buddy to me bless his little paws. Lots of cuddles and reassurance, and perhaps a playmate, I am sure he will be fine. Although as two have sadly passed, perhaps take him to a vet for a check up? Wishing you and Stewie lots of love xxxx Jennifer – Can you see if you can get one of Stewies brothers or sisters back? It sounds like he needs a buddy to me bless his little paws. Lots of cuddles and reassurance, and perhaps a playmate, I am sure he will be fine. Although as two have sadly passed, perhaps take him to a vet for a check up?

Wishing you and Stewie lots of love
xxxx

]]> By: Beth http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/do-cats-mourn/3328/comment-page-1#comment-12589 Beth Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:57:52 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3328#comment-12589 My darling Cougar passed away this saturday just gone. he was 14 and had suffered with stones in his bladder in the past, then thyroid and blindness in his later years. He came through every illness as best he could and always strove on unphased, strong and happy. Such an amazing cat. We formed the closest bond, he having been with me through many personal tragedies. My other cat, JJ, was his buddy, we got JJ when Cougar was 7. JJ was only 6 months and in need of a new home. I think Cougar was a parental or brother figure - he was the boss, kept him in line, taught him things. Over recent years as Cougs got older, I could see the dynamic shift, JJ would start following him out on his little jaunts in our garden (when I was around only due to his lack of sight), making sure he was ok. They would stand up for eachother, JJ would bring Cougs mice... it seemed a loving and caring relationship, even when they fought you could see it wasn;t the usual cat fight, it was grumpiness or frustration. JJ watched his mate die . We believe Cougars heart finally gave in, we found him fitting and shortly after he was dead. My heart is broken, I miss his so much it's a physical pain. But I worry so badly for JJ. He saw everythign happen, so I know he is aware Cougar is gone. But he seems so sad. He has always been a very fussy cat in that he loves fusses and cuddles and has always been very vocal. He seems so quiet. He has even brought me a mouse which he never does. I know he is trying to look after me, I just want to make him better I suppose. Cougar loved Tuna, JJ has never liked it. I opened a can yesterday and JJ insisted on eating some. My heart breaks when I see him doing his little best, I think to fill the hole. I just want to make him realise I miss Cougar too, and he doesnt have to do anythig but be himself, he is adored too. I worry about him being alone when I am at work. I just worry for him fullstop. I have stoped crying for Cougar now as best I can, JJ seems to find it harder when I am upset. Sadly he saw and heard my reaction to Cougars passing which I think has upset him a lot as well. He is not himself my little JJ, I just hope the love I continue to give him will help him heal as he helps me. But do I think about another friend for him? Cougar can never be replaced or returned, but I desperately dont want JJ to be lonely. My darling Cougar passed away this saturday just gone. he was 14 and had suffered with stones in his bladder in the past, then thyroid and blindness in his later years. He came through every illness as best he could and always strove on unphased, strong and happy. Such an amazing cat. We formed the closest bond, he having been with me through many personal tragedies. My other cat, JJ, was his buddy, we got JJ when Cougar was 7. JJ was only 6 months and in need of a new home. I think Cougar was a parental or brother figure – he was the boss, kept him in line, taught him things. Over recent years as Cougs got older, I could see the dynamic shift, JJ would start following him out on his little jaunts in our garden (when I was around only due to his lack of sight), making sure he was ok. They would stand up for eachother, JJ would bring Cougs mice… it seemed a loving and caring relationship, even when they fought you could see it wasn;t the usual cat fight, it was grumpiness or frustration.

JJ watched his mate die . We believe Cougars heart finally gave in, we found him fitting and shortly after he was dead. My heart is broken, I miss his so much it’s a physical pain. But I worry so badly for JJ. He saw everythign happen, so I know he is aware Cougar is gone. But he seems so sad. He has always been a very fussy cat in that he loves fusses and cuddles and has always been very vocal. He seems so quiet. He has even brought me a mouse which he never does. I know he is trying to look after me, I just want to make him better I suppose. Cougar loved Tuna, JJ has never liked it. I opened a can yesterday and JJ insisted on eating some. My heart breaks when I see him doing his little best, I think to fill the hole. I just want to make him realise I miss Cougar too, and he doesnt have to do anythig but be himself, he is adored too. I worry about him being alone when I am at work. I just worry for him fullstop. I have stoped crying for Cougar now as best I can, JJ seems to find it harder when I am upset. Sadly he saw and heard my reaction to Cougars passing which I think has upset him a lot as well. He is not himself my little JJ, I just hope the love I continue to give him will help him heal as he helps me.

But do I think about another friend for him? Cougar can never be replaced or returned, but I desperately dont want JJ to be lonely.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/do-cats-mourn/3328/comment-page-1#comment-12564 Jennifer Tue, 18 Oct 2011 03:15:24 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3328#comment-12564 My roommate found a litter of seven kittens, the mom, dad and uncle. Just a few weeks after coming one of the smaller kittens passed then a month later another, my favorite and oh how i cried, passed. That left five healthy kittens. My roommate found a place for the rest of the kittens to go but i kept one of the kittens. Until the day the others left he was fine, played and was rambunctious. Now he is acting sad. He eats but not as much as he used to. He constantly wants to be in my arms being cuddled. He sleeps all day. Before they left the cats and kittens were in a crate and Stewie meowed at the momma trying to get to her. I feel so bad and hope he comes back around. Pray for little Stewie please. My roommate found a litter of seven kittens, the mom, dad and uncle. Just a few weeks after coming one of the smaller kittens passed then a month later another, my favorite and oh how i cried, passed. That left five healthy kittens. My roommate found a place for the rest of the kittens to go but i kept one of the kittens. Until the day the others left he was fine, played and was rambunctious. Now he is acting sad. He eats but not as much as he used to. He constantly wants to be in my arms being cuddled. He sleeps all day. Before they left the cats and kittens were in a crate and Stewie meowed at the momma trying to get to her. I feel so bad and hope he comes back around. Pray for little Stewie please.

]]> By: terry brenan http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/do-cats-mourn/3328/comment-page-1#comment-12558 terry brenan Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:41:05 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3328#comment-12558 Two weeks ago I had to have my 12 year old dog put to sleep. My cat has been carrying on something fierce. He has always been a vocal cat and "talks" to me and sometimes he would also trot along side of my dog and "talk" to him. I even bought a new litter box and switched to clumping litter to make sure his box is always clean. But he still moans and howls at least part of every day. I will talk to him here in a minute and reassure him that I understand. Two weeks ago I had to have my 12 year old dog put to sleep. My cat has been carrying on something fierce. He has always been a vocal cat and “talks” to me and sometimes he would also trot along side of my dog and “talk” to him. I even bought a new litter box and switched to clumping litter to make sure his box is always clean. But he still moans and howls at least part of every day. I will talk to him here in a minute and reassure him that I understand.

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