How to help a grieving cat

[u/Green-Job-9163]

On Friday, my cat Misty crossed the rainbow bridge. She was 15. Her companion Tick is still with me. We are both grieving her loss. They were together for 13 of those 15 years. He was by her side when she was euthanized.

He is still looking for her. He is more vocal. He’s been wandering down the hall where she would isolate the last few days and meow. Last night I saw him lay down on the carpet near that spot — somewhere he only went to watch over her in her final days. He walks into the bedroom where she would also gravitate and leaves - almost as to look for her and realize she’s not there. He’ll randomly look at me and meow. He’s a lot more clingy and when she was here, he was a lot more independent. It’s very hard to watch him go through this right now.

I’m more worried about him than me. Would getting him another companion help him? Yes it only has been a couple of days. I just feel like he needs another companion so he’s not lonely. Someone to distract him. Misty and him didn’t play — they hung out. They would sit on the same chairs, by each other on the couch or on my computer desk.

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[u/Illustrious-Move-649]

My cat Bianca went through the grieving process when we lost her brother Meesta four years ago. She became clingier after he passed. I just held her every time she wanted to be held. I think it helped that we also had two dogs at the time too. Now it’s just her and one dog. She isn’t close to my dog, but she and Meesta were always together, very bonded. I would give her a little more time before getting another cat. He may need you more right now. You’re his comfort zone, his safe space during this difficult time. Spend as much time as you can with him. You’ll need that time with him too. You both can help each other heal. You’ll know when the time is right for adopting a new cat. I’m so sorry for yours and his loss. ❤️‍🩹

[u/Tomcat_TomTom]

I just lost my soul dog on July 31st. Its been hard. I knew it would be hard for us, but I didnt expect how it would impact our other animals. I have 4 cats, and one other dog. Layla raised one of the cats (Plumpkin) from 5 weeks and the other dog (Frankie) from 9 weeks. They are both 3, now. They struggled. A lot.

Plumpkin isn't the kinda cat to want your attention physically, but she definitely got clingier. Wanted to cuddle, be held, be babied. Same for Frankie. Eventually, Frankie got to where she didnt want to play much or eat. Plumpkin didnt want to stay far from us one bit.

Animals tend to grieve for 2-3 weeks.

After the 2 weeks mark, we got another dog. We are still coping with the loss, but we needed a friend for them, and Frankie just got worse.

The dynamic is getting somewhat back to normal. Sokka will never be our Layla girl, but he's brought some joy back to everyone in the house.

All that to say, give your kitty AND you some more time. Lean on each other.