Coping with a cat who’s lost her buddy

Coping with a cat who’s lost her buddy

Author
Discussion

ChevronB19

Original Poster:

6,379 posts

170 months

Thursday 23rd September 2021
quotequote all
6 months ago we had four cats, and two puppies. We moved house around about that time (which might be relevant).

Now, we have lost two cats - one to long standing illness, the other to old age. I don’t think the lifestyle changes affected this.

Of the two surviving ones, one (mine originally, but has happily lived with my wife and I for three years, was a feral kitten, but is now 20), has gone totally antisocial. She won’t let me (her original ‘owner’) approach her at all - no aggression, she just runs away. She is showing slight return of sociability to my wife.

The other (my wife’s originally, always a house cat, who was particular buddies with the ‘old age’ cat) has done the exact reverse - very clingy.

I’m assuming that for ancient feral ratbag it relates to her lifestyle change, whereas for the younger one, it’s losing his buddy (he wanders the house howling).

Surviving cats are a) 20 year old female feral ratbag and b) 6 year old male Canadian Sphynx if that makes a difference. Both appropriately neutered/spayed.


Any tips?

ChevronB19

Original Poster:

6,379 posts

170 months

Friday 24th September 2021
quotequote all
Anyone? Gretchen?

Ace-T

7,814 posts

262 months

Saturday 25th September 2021
quotequote all
Have you taken the older one for a checkup? The stress may have triggered an illness which means she doesn't want to be around people. E.g cystitis.

Playing more with the clingy one may help too.

garythesign

2,282 posts

95 months

Saturday 25th September 2021
quotequote all
Nothing to add but feel for you going through this.

Good luck

ChevronB19

Original Poster:

6,379 posts

170 months

Monday 11th October 2021
quotequote all
Vet check up done. All ok, other than being batsh*t insane, which seems to be a normal state of being for a cat.

Still keeps going to where his buddy spent most of her time and constantly howling. 6 weeks in now. Any ideas? He’s fed, warm etc and nests in our bed at night where he seems to have a good snooze.

Ace-T

7,814 posts

262 months

Monday 11th October 2021
quotequote all
Whenever he howls at that space distract him with playtime. Lead him away with a feather on a string toy or something, then give treats.

Plus get two kittens smile

SlimJim16v

6,116 posts

150 months

Monday 11th October 2021
quotequote all
Our vet said it can take 6 - 12 months for them to get over the loss. It's been 4 months, Snowy's still grieving.

Edited by SlimJim16v on Monday 11th October 22:40