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Struggling after losing my cat on Thursday

21 replies

Onionbhajisandwich · 09/11/2025 10:39

My beautiful little best friend had to be put to sleep on Thursday night and I’m devastated. I miss her so much, I’m struggling to function. I’ve barely eaten. She had been unwell for a couple of months and was 18 but she seemed to have recovered well on medication from the vet. I got home from work on Thursday and found her collapsed and having seizures so had to make the decision to let her go. I just feel devastated. My house feels awful without her in it and I have a constant feeling of panic in my chest. I wish that she hadn’t been alone when she became poorly. I don’t know how I’m ever going to get used to not having her around. I’ve had her for 16 years. To top it off my (now ex) partner has left this morning. Please can someone tell me it gets easier 😭

Struggling after losing my cat on Thursday
OP posts:
thismummyslife · 09/11/2025 10:42

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Losing your little best friend is heartbreaking, and it’s okay to feel lost right now. She knew how deeply she was loved, every single day. Be gentle with yourself, the pain won’t always feel this raw, even though it’s so heavy now. You gave her a beautiful life filled with love. 💛

No5ChalksRoad · 09/11/2025 10:52

You are having a horrible time of it. So sorry for your loss.💐💐💐

She knew she was loved and safe. That is huge.

I understand the panic and anxiety. It’s normal. Especially if you have other emotional upheaval going on.

I lost two dear little dogs to heart failure. Found it helpful to write down my memories, observations, little songs i made up for them, nicknames, etc; it eased my fear about their absence in some way. I guess insuring that all those little daily interactions wouldn’t be forgotten.

This may sound strange but get yourself a plush toy or teddy to cuddle. I have a large soft squirrel on my bed. It helps a bit.

Try to take a pampering shower and eat something. The shaky feeling is normal but even a bite of toast would help.

💐💐💐

No5ChalksRoad · 09/11/2025 10:53

Btw she is very beautiful and such a charming expression.

Pixiedust1234 · 09/11/2025 11:05

I'm so sorry OP. They really do have a way of flumping into your heart and staying there. Try and console yourself with the facts that she was a good age, she knew you loved her, and that she loved you too ❤

The pain does get easier in time but you don't forget the hurt. It's been years since we lost our little rescue and I do still shed the odd tear but I know she loved us too and I'm grateful for the short time we had together.

ThelmaDinkley · 09/11/2025 11:24

Aww so sorry for your loss I’ve got a mini panther too and he’s my world. Thinking of you xx

Breadcat24 · 09/11/2025 13:09

@Onionbhajisandwich I am sorry for your loss. She had 16 years of love that is worth a lot. I know what you mean about a cat shaped hole. I'm still waking up at 5am expecting a cuddle and an early request for breakfast from my lovely Breadcat

tinyspiny · 09/11/2025 13:11

Sorry for your loss 💐

horseycomingforty · 09/11/2025 15:28

So sorry OP. We also said goodbye to our beautiful little girl on Thursday. She was 18 and we’d had her for 10 years. Despite also having another cat and a dog, her energy loss within the house is palpable.

I’m letting myself be sad and feel all the feelings. I’ve taken some comfort in spending time in the places that she loved (a particular bench in the garden and the seat she’d spend all day sleeping on), I’ve been holding on to and taking to bed a hot water bottle we used to keep her in warm in the last few days, and surprisingly also from donating some of the items we weren’t sentimental about to a local cat charity, things like unused food and flea treatments.

We’ve got plans for a lovely memorial for her in the garden in another of her favourite spots.

Look after yourself, you gave her the best life x

Ijwwm · 10/11/2025 00:24

Am so sorry for your loss. She looks like a beautiful girl, very majestic.

When I lost my first one a few years ago, I remember that feeling of searching for confirmation that you’ll feel ok again. Because it just doesn’t feel possible. The pain of losing them just feels too much.

Right now, you’ll feel as though you won’t get through it. And that’s ok. You need to cry when you need to, don’t bottle it up, crying is a good release for you.

You will get through this, it will just take time. Post on here whenever you want, all cat people will understand. You might feel you can’t share in real life ((for fear of “it’s only a pet” views), but on here you’ll know that people get it.

You really will be ok in the future. I never thought I’d be ok again, and I almost hated people that said time will slowly heal. But they were right. I still miss my boy, he was the most amazing cat ever to have existed, we had such a bond. But I can now sing his praises without breaking down.

Just to reiterate, this place is great for voicing your feelings. Grieving a pet is often not easy in real life, so please do post here when you’re struggling. It’s a difficult loss to navigate in real life and there’s never any judgement here.

No5ChalksRoad · 10/11/2025 08:21

Hope you are feeling a little bit better today, @Onionbhajisandwich

It’s the hardest part of loving an animal.

Onionbhajisandwich · 10/11/2025 08:47

I’m sat outside work having a bit of a cry. Doesn’t help that I’ve woken up poorly as well xx

OP posts:
No5ChalksRoad · 10/11/2025 09:50

You are really having a rough time of it. 🌷

It’s so rotten when we lose them. Hope you get some rest later.

Pixiedust1234 · 10/11/2025 10:48

Ooof! You are under a lot of stress at the moment so it's not surprising your body is saying enough! Can you take a couple of days off to help reset and rebalance yourself? You need some self love right now Flowers

sportymum12 · 11/11/2025 17:27

I'm so sorry to hear about your beautiful cat.
We lost our 18 year old cat on Friday, we had had him since a kitten and he had been poorly for some time so it wasn't a surprise but it has left a huge hole in the house that is difficult to explain. I completely understand how you feel, you are experiencing grief and just because it is for a pet doesnt make it any more real. Be kind to yourself, take some time to recover and reset after this huge change to your life.

Pudmyboy · 11/11/2025 18:24

So sorry for your loss, she is beautiful, and will always be beautiful 💐
Just wanted to echo other posters: be kind to yourself and allow yourself to grieve.
I also came down with a nasty virus (I suspect COVID but I didn't test) the very day my late Pud passed away. Are you able to take time off, as suggested?
Please talk about your girl and how you are feeling, if you want to 💐

Sunshineandrainbow · 11/11/2025 18:28

What a beaut 💗

It's so hard op, reading your post took me back when I took my 21 year old angel girl to be pts 9 years ago and I am now crying. It's so bloody hard.
They had the best lovely lives ❤️

JohnTheRevelator · 11/11/2025 18:31

So sorry for your loss OP. As a lifelong cat owner I've been through this many times, and each time it doesn't get any easier. But in time,the pain fades and you are able to look back on the happy memories and lovely life that you gave your beloved cat. And hopefully,in time ,be able to welcome a new one into your life.

Ted27 · 11/11/2025 20:45

@Onionbhajisandwich

What a beautiful cat, its awful when they go

I lost my boy in August, also a mini panther. I had him from a kitten, he was 15 when he died.
I still miss him dreadfully, he saw me through a lot of bad times.

It's very raw now, but it does get better.

On Saturday we got two tuxedo cats, a 4 year old female and her four month old kitten. They are beautiful cats. The kitten is bonkers like he should be.
Its early days with them yet. They can't replace my old boy but I"m glad they are here, the house feels less empty.

You will know when you are ready to think about another cat but for now, have a good cry when you need to, grieve for her but remember you gave her a good life

Onionbhajisandwich · 11/11/2025 21:32

@sportymum12 I’m sorry for your loss. The house feels strange without them doesn’t it 😭

OP posts:
Onionbhajisandwich · 11/11/2025 21:35

@horseycomingforty i’m sorry for your loss. It makes me sad to see others have gone through the same thing at the same time. Muffin was 18 too. She had been poorly for a little while but the vets were happy that she was doing ok on medication so it came as a shock.

OP posts:
Pixiedust1234 · 11/11/2025 22:58

@horseycomingforty and @sportymum12 I would like to acknowledge your loss and pain as well at this difficult time 💔Flowers

@Onionbhajisandwich what a lovely name. We used to call ours Pumpkin as a nickname despite her real name being an old ladies one and she responded to both equally. I hope you are feeling a little less panicky now Flowers

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