Bereaved cat - what to do?

[Willowcat77]

I had 3 cats, Sebastian a 13 year old and Larry & Mabel, 3 year old siblings who just ignore each other. Larry adored Sebastian and followed him around everywhere, they were inseparable.

Sadly Sebastian died 2 weeks ago. Larry is now crying loudly every night, repetitive monotonous miouws. I comfort him as much as I can but he still wants Sebastian.

What would you do? I think he needs another male cat friend, but not sure the best way to do this. Adopt a cat of his own age? What if they don't get on? Can I foster first to see if they are compatible?

What about kittens? I've always wanted to foster a pregnant cat and kittens but not sure I would be allowed due to my existing cats.

What would be best for Larry? He is a very friendly, relaxed cat, but now appears to be grieving.

Ah that’s so sad 😥

I d let Larry go through his grieving process.. perhaps at the end of it he ll end up getting closer with Mabel

I only have 1 cat, but his relationship with neighbours’ cats has changed a lot over the years so their emotions do change

sending Larry so many kisses 😍

So cute. So sad 💔

I think I'd give Larry longer to grieve and look at getting a kitten in a few months.

So sorry, heartbreaking to lose a cat:(

My sister had this with one of her cats. He would sit on the window ledge and if a similar-looking cat to the one who had died passed by, he would start crying and wailing, it was heartbreaking. Both cats were male.

She adopted a male kitten. The new kitten wanted to play with the older cat all the time, which annoyed the heck out of him, but it seemed to take his mind off missing the one who had died and he went back to his normal self.

We went through this towards the end of last year, when one of ours lost his littermate / full brother aged 10. They'd been together their whole lives. It took quite a few weeks, and it is only really now that he seems back to his usual self. He does occasionally look a bit lost though.

You already have another cat there. His sister. You might get another cat and they ignore each other too.

Is there some way you could try and strengthen his bond with his sister? Pay some fun games with them together? Give them some really high value treats together and if they interact on their own bring the treats out.

@WelcomeToTheBlackParade. I've tried really hard to bring Larry and Mabel together but at best they just tolerate each other. They loved each other as little kittens but as they grew up Larry played a bit too roughly with her so she avoids him now.

He was totally different with Sebastian, he was besotted by him, despite the 10 year age gap. Maybe some male cats only want to be friends with other males?

Did he see Sebastian’s body? That helps them understand. I took my other cats along when one was put to sleep. And they both knew. One of them blossomed from that moment.

@Toddlerteaplease Unfortunately not, we had to have Sebastian pts due to incurable cancer so Larry never saw his body 😿