Missing their friend?

One of my furry roommates, Chilsa, passed almost three months ago (I assume that, wherever cats go, he's taking care of a litter's worth of kittens that didn't make it). Since then, Panther, who had always been attention-needy, has gotten more so (it's coming up on 5 AM here, she won't let me sleep, she didn't even do this when she actually was a kitten), and Squirrel, who had always been skitty, now usually barely tolerates being in the same room with me. I hadn't really put it all together until just now when I saw Panther kneading and mock-nursing on a blanket...she didn't use to do that, when we had Chilsa. He took over some of the mama cat job when I brought the kittens home at 8 weeks. Not nursing, obviously--he was a he, and they were weaned--but playing, cuddling, washing them, teaching them to be cats. It's like they miss having a top cat to take care of them and keep them in line.

What can I do to help my cats get back to normal? I'm going to be adopting another, after I move later this summer, but I'm not sure yet what to look for to blend well with the two I have now. And is there anything I can do between now and then?

Thanks!

That is so sad. I wonder if they would benefit from having a cat now? Someone to be the more dominant personality of the group? I can only guess.

Sometimes there is nothing you can do, they mourn in their own ways I suppose. I cat sat for a cat that lost its companion. There were two other cats in teh house, but he lost his special friend. It was heart wrenching. It was months later and he still wouldn't come downstairs and he cried all the time at the top of the stairs and could not be comforted. He eventually settled. but it took some time.

I am sure those that have gone through a grieving process with a cat will come along and have some good advice for you. Till then, hug your kitties (or the one that will let you) and the one that won't, give him lots of treats! Show your love however you can! This will at least make you feel like you are helping in some way.

Originally Posted by fifi1puss

hug your kitties (or the one that will let you) and the one that won't, give him lots of treats! Show your love however you can! This will at least make you feel like you are helping in some way.

Click to expand...

I think this was a piece of good advice, as the English say.