Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Cat PTS, grieving is this normal?

11 replies

Pourfav · 19/06/2021 11:16

My cat recently had to be put to sleep, she went from an active lovely cat, to being very ill suddenly after being hit by a car and we tried everything at the vets but she deteriorated quickly and we had to PTS.
I miss her more than I can say tbh.
Since then I can barely control my emotions although at the same time I feel very flat.
I go from ok, to very distressed.
And I can barely tolerate people either and everyone and everything just pisses me off.
I am emotionally all over the place and so restless.
Is this normal grieving? I’ve never really been so upset by a death of a pet or person before.

OP posts:
Arrowheart · 19/06/2021 11:20

Yes totally normal. I was at the 'angry' stage of grief for a long time.

ADarkandStormyKnight · 19/06/2021 11:27

Yes it’s normal. Of course you are angry. Your lovely cat was hit by a car!

It’s traumatic to suddenly be dealing with a very poorly cat who needs you to help her and to make the right choices.

I’m sure you did the right thing. 💐

YesItsMeIDontCare · 19/06/2021 11:30

Normal. I still struggle with losing my old lad, even though I honoured him by giving a loving home to a cat that didn't have one.

💐

Arbadacarba · 19/06/2021 11:35

Yes, completely normal. I'm sorry for your loss. Let yourself grieve, it's all part of processing the loss.

HeronLanyon · 19/06/2021 11:35

I still many years on miss my old boys every day. For a few days I was weak at the knees with grief, for months afterwards I was devastated when they went. Just last week I stuffed my whole face into a blanket I kept and breathed deeply thinking of all the lovely silly loving (grumpy - one was) times I shared with them. Felt good.

You’ll get to a better place op. You’re not only grieving but in shock as it happened without warning. You’ll never stop missing her. You’ll never lose what you had with her - she’s part of you.
Support.

Pourfav · 19/06/2021 11:40

Thank you all so much.
I didn’t think of the anger stage of grief actually, but it explains a lot!
I barely know what to do with myself, I’m physically restless so I’m trying to go out and about to walk or just do day to day tasks, but when I’m outside something will really piss me off.
People are saying inane things to me and I feel like screaming ‘my bloody cat is dead!!’
Hopefully this stage will subside soon.
Honestly I never dreamt anything could hurt so much, I feel like I have empty arms or something 😭

OP posts:
LEMtheoriginal · 19/06/2021 11:54

I am so very sorry for your loss. The grief an owner feels on the loss of a pet is no different to a loss of a loved one. Yet we are expected to feel sad for a few days and move on.

The Bluecross offer a pet bereavement service and many veterinary practices will have trained Bluecross bereavement counsellors available to help.

What you are feeling is normal, you also have to cope with the guilt of making the decision to be kind. Even though you have made absolutely the best decision i have never met an owner that doesn't experience this, whice is why the decision to PTS is such a selfLESS thing to do.

Know that your cat is free from pain and distress and in time you will enjoy your memories. For now, be kind to yourself and feel what you feel. Flowers

thefirstmrsrochester · 19/06/2021 12:00

All completely normal, your cat was a member of your family. And as pp’s have said, you are processing trauma as well given the circumstances. It takes time and your darling cat will be forever in your heart. You did the very best for her and in time you will smile at your happy memories of her. Many condolences Flowers

Hemskis · 19/06/2021 12:28

I'm very sorry for your loss. I lost my sweet girl in December and I still cry about her regularly. Our cats are persons and close family members, it would be strange to not grieve. Grief is the price we pay for the time and love we have had with them.

FlowerOfTheValley · 19/06/2021 17:01

Very sorry for your loss. Lost my lovely girl last month and feel like you do. It’s very hard x

weekend2021 · 19/06/2021 17:28

I’m so very sorry for you. I dread the day that I will lose my 15 year old girl, and know that I will feel exactly the way you describe. People will never understand unless they’re a true cat lover. I’m sure you gave your girl a lovely home filled with love. It does get easier as time passes, as I’ve lost cats in the past, but it won’t feel like that now. My heart bleeds for you x

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread