Cat behaviour since mate died...
Discussion
As you may have seen our lovely tabby girl Gabbie was killed 4 weeks ago, leaving Tiggy our tabby/white very depresssed for a few days, not doing much, sleeping on her bed all day which he never did before, hardly going out , spending time where she used to go etc, we are fairly sure he seen her in the garden the day she died just by his change in behaviour.
They were never cuddle buddies and Gabbie was only here for 8 months (rescued from CPL) but they did play fight alot and wandered about the garden together, ate side by side and had each others company all day, although not lovey dovey she was just his annoying little sister pestering him all the time! lol
4 weeks on, Tiggy is a very different cat to his previous self, even different to before Gabbie got here, most of his time now spent indoors (weather also plays part of this I realise!) but he previously spent most daylight hours outdoors only popping in now and then before comimg in for the night. He is always after attention from us, following us about the house and being far more vocal than I have ever known him, he just sits and looks at us and "talks" which although funny we wish we knew what he wanted! He comes to bed with us whereas he previously always slept on the sofa all night, now he snuggles under the duvet between us or sleeps at the top of the stairs (Gabbies old sleeping spot)
We just cannot work out, Is he bored? missing her? should we get him a playmate? or are these signs he is happier without her? happier indoors without her here?
any advice appriciated!
They were never cuddle buddies and Gabbie was only here for 8 months (rescued from CPL) but they did play fight alot and wandered about the garden together, ate side by side and had each others company all day, although not lovey dovey she was just his annoying little sister pestering him all the time! lol
4 weeks on, Tiggy is a very different cat to his previous self, even different to before Gabbie got here, most of his time now spent indoors (weather also plays part of this I realise!) but he previously spent most daylight hours outdoors only popping in now and then before comimg in for the night. He is always after attention from us, following us about the house and being far more vocal than I have ever known him, he just sits and looks at us and "talks" which although funny we wish we knew what he wanted! He comes to bed with us whereas he previously always slept on the sofa all night, now he snuggles under the duvet between us or sleeps at the top of the stairs (Gabbies old sleeping spot)
We just cannot work out, Is he bored? missing her? should we get him a playmate? or are these signs he is happier without her? happier indoors without her here?
any advice appriciated!
Edited by Mubby on Monday 20th February 07:27
It is very common for an animals character to distinctly change after the loss of another family pet, sometimes the pet left behind almost seems to like the fact they are the only one, other times it is loneliness that they start seeking the attention that they never needed before from their human companions. Sometimes it's temporary, sometimes permanent.
It is difficult to know if getting another cat is the right thing to do, many cats tolerate living in multicat households but you don't see their true/ real nature/ character until they are on their own (though the fact he is different than before she came along does suggest he is missing her). If only we can ask them want they want instead of guessing
Give it a bit more time, if in next month or two things haven't changed it is less likely to be down to mourning but more to do with your cats adjustment to the new situation. Hope you are ok, I'm sure he is probably well aware that you are also still mourning.
It is difficult to know if getting another cat is the right thing to do, many cats tolerate living in multicat households but you don't see their true/ real nature/ character until they are on their own (though the fact he is different than before she came along does suggest he is missing her). If only we can ask them want they want instead of guessing
Give it a bit more time, if in next month or two things haven't changed it is less likely to be down to mourning but more to do with your cats adjustment to the new situation. Hope you are ok, I'm sure he is probably well aware that you are also still mourning.
Edited by bexVN on Monday 20th February 09:12
I can only comment on how Doris was when we lost Diesel, and he was bereft despite the fact we only had Diesel for 13 short weeks, such was the impression he left on all of us.
A year on, it is obvious he still misses Diesel but he no longer appears to pine as badly as he did. I had Diesel wrapped in a towel on the Dining Room floor head showing the night he died so the three other cats had a chance to sniff and hopefully understand he was dead. Whether that worked or was the right thing to do, I have no idea but I wanted Diesel in the house for one last night.
All I can say if give it time, shower him eith affection and see how he goes. I'm still fence sitting on whether to get a companion for Doris, but there is not guarantee two cats will take to each other :shrug:
A year on, it is obvious he still misses Diesel but he no longer appears to pine as badly as he did. I had Diesel wrapped in a towel on the Dining Room floor head showing the night he died so the three other cats had a chance to sniff and hopefully understand he was dead. Whether that worked or was the right thing to do, I have no idea but I wanted Diesel in the house for one last night.
All I can say if give it time, shower him eith affection and see how he goes. I'm still fence sitting on whether to get a companion for Doris, but there is not guarantee two cats will take to each other :shrug:
thanks all,
yes J&J he did see her,
Bex I wish they could tell us! as you say thats the hardest part just not knowing what to do for the best, but I think your right, a bit more time and see how he is, and if weather improves etc will also help to get him out a bit more and become his old self.
Ghia, he is getting lots of time and attention! and milking it for all its worth!
I must admit we are finding the new attention seeking Tiggy very amusing being our little meowing shadows, but I just wish I knew if he was happy that way!!!
yes J&J he did see her,
Bex I wish they could tell us! as you say thats the hardest part just not knowing what to do for the best, but I think your right, a bit more time and see how he is, and if weather improves etc will also help to get him out a bit more and become his old self.
Ghia, he is getting lots of time and attention! and milking it for all its worth!
I must admit we are finding the new attention seeking Tiggy very amusing being our little meowing shadows, but I just wish I knew if he was happy that way!!!
Edited by Mubby on Monday 20th February 13:04
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