Question: I had two cats (sisters from same litter), Trouble and Mimi, both kept indoors. Last week, Trouble got outside and died after being hit by a car. Mimi is now inconsolable. She runs around the house, demands constant attention and when I get ready to leave the house, she circles around me meowing loudly and climbs up on my shoulder and holds on for dear life. Will she ever adjust to Trouble not being here? How long does this normally take?
Answer: I am sorry to hear about Trouble. Just as you are grieving her loss, Mimi is as well. Dogs and cats grieve just like you and me, especially if they are closely bonded to their housemate. During this time, you want to make sure that you keep Mimi occupied with fun things like new toys and frequent play.
Make special time for her each day, so she gets physical contact with you as she would have with Trouble. Cats can grieve for long periods of time, however most adjust after a month. If the grieving process goes on for long periods of time, you might consider adding another cat to your household. You can find more information on pet grieving and also more about adding a new cat to your household at www.flvetbehavior.com.
Dr. Radosta
Lisa Radosta DVM, Diplomate ACVB
Florida Veterinary Behavior Service
PO Box 210636
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33421-0636
561-795-9398
www.flvetbehavior.com
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Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/pawshere/2012/02/06/cat-grieving-after-sister-cat-dies-suddenly/
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