Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

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

Original poster

Help with grieving cat

63 replies

JaceLancs · 02/05/2023 19:06

Sadly older of our 2 cats died last week peacefully asleep at home
younger cat who is nearly 6 is devastated - they did not seem that close and older cat barely tolerated him at best
He has not eaten much, howls and cries and sits on the spot we found her dead looking very unhappy
he is staying out of house more - when in ge sleeps more but will not go to humans much although he was previously a clingy lap cat
any suggestions?
we are still putting food down and sticking to regular routines, offering treats which are rejected
when he sleeps elsewhere or on ‘the’ spot we will go and stroke and fuss him
any of the felliways worth trying? Could a vet give him any meds temporarily?
it’s so upsetting to witness

Help with grieving cat
OP posts:
TheSpottedZebra · 02/05/2023 21:30

Oh no, poor cat, poor all of you.
Surely Feliway could do any harm so would be well worth a try if the cost isn't an issue.

Did younger cat see the other cat's body? Some people say that helps, though I'm not sure if show my cat. Have all cat's things been moved?

TheSpottedZebra · 02/05/2023 21:32

You said he's not wanting treats, but is he eating and drinking OK?

caringcarer · 02/05/2023 21:35

When one of my cats died a few years ago now, our vet told us to show our other cats and let them sniff him. One of our cats stood in front of him and howled at him. Then she nuzzled him. It was heartbreaking to see but necessary according to our vet. It helps them to understand. We buried our poor cat in the garden and put a slab on the top to stop our dogs digging there. One of our cats kept sitting on slab for ages but does not do it now. So sorry your cat has died.

iamnottoofatiamjusttooshort · 02/05/2023 21:42

My cat was like this when her fur sibling passed away

It took about a month .. I was so worried by the lack of eating drinking howling staring at wall not going out etc

She came round slowly and within 4-5 weeks had become really clingy , always on my lap

Sorry to hear about the loss of the cat 💐

Lochjeda · 02/05/2023 21:57

Hi really sorry for your loss we sadly lost our 1.5 year old Bengal on Sunday to a rta and are devastated but my other cat seems to be absolutely fine if even a little happier. You can defo get calming meds from the vet and the feliway plug in should help too. Hope it passes soon.

Toddlerteaplease · 02/05/2023 23:53

My cat was with her sister when she was PTS. She sniffed her body and instantly understood.

Toddlerteaplease · 02/05/2023 23:54

You could try some Zyklene capsules sprinkled on food.

Original poster
JaceLancs · 03/05/2023 11:21

Thank you everyone
He saw her body as she died in her sleep - I found her next morning and he was with her and must have been like that for hours
He is licking a bit of jelly off wet food and not eating dry food or even dreamies

OP posts:
Capitulatingpanda · 03/05/2023 12:11

I'm so sorry. My cat mourned for a good 6 months after his sister died. He also became very clingy. The vet said up to a year wasn't unheard of. We took him to the vet as I was worried he was ill in the months after she died.

Original poster
JaceLancs · 03/05/2023 19:22

Unbelievably I came home from work to find him asleep forever in his tunnel - can a cat die from grief?
we took him straight to vet and are going to consider post mortem and toxicology tomorrow
vet was amazing and as shocked as us - he was healthy in great condition and not quite 6 years old
I can’t stop crying

OP posts:
JoanOgden · 03/05/2023 19:37

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear this! What an awful shock. I hope you get some answers Sad

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 03/05/2023 20:02

I’m sorry, I’ve seen it happen in humans but not cats. Stress puts a burden on the body. It’s awfully quiet when your catless.

Allezvite · 03/05/2023 20:04

Oh no - so sorry to hear this :-(

ChatterMonkey · 03/05/2023 20:06

So sorry for your loss 💕

UsethisUsername · 03/05/2023 20:08

I’m so sorry, that’s awful. I’m not saying this to alarm you but could it be anything the cats could have ingested or do you have you got a carbon monoxide monitor in your home to check you are safe?

I am so very sorry about your cats x

Theunamedcat · 03/05/2023 20:09

Oh I'm so sorry how devastating 😢

EmmaEmerald · 03/05/2023 20:09

Oh Jace! I am so so sorry. I'd be inclined to go for toxicology myself. Is there gas in your home?

I really feel for you. Hugs.

BirdChirp · 03/05/2023 20:11

How heartbreaking, so sorry.

Blueberrycreampie · 03/05/2023 20:27

How awful. My cat's brother died on Sunday afternoon but she got over it quite quickly. You must be in shock at losing your other dear cat, so sorry😢!

Blueberrycreampie · 03/05/2023 20:28

That should say one Sunday afternoon- it was a couple of years ago now.

Original poster
JaceLancs · 03/05/2023 20:42

I’m most worried about poison and have told my neighbours to keep their cats in until we know more
I need to ring my pet insurance to see if they will cover PM if not DS said he would share cost as it will be hundreds
Im still in shock to go from a 2 cat to no cat household in a week is just devastating - can’t bear moving things right now so have gone out for a few hours

OP posts:
Original poster
JaceLancs · 03/05/2023 20:44

Last week and the week before

Help with grieving cat
Help with grieving cat
OP posts:
ilovesooty · 03/05/2023 20:48

Oh that is heartbreaking. I lost one of my two brothers suddenly the week before last but the other is coping.

I'm so, so sorry.

EmmaEmerald · 03/05/2023 20:49

Very wise to warn your neighbours
sorry to say, London and outer areas, I have heard a couple of scary stories in the last two weeks, but they weren't poison.

honestly, I wish I could comfort you somehow. What beautiful kitties, thank you for sharing the pics.

Throwncrumbs · 03/05/2023 20:54

Aww that’s so sad, X

Swipe left for the next trending thread