Earlier this week, it became apparent that my 20 year old cat, Zeppelin, likely had a brain tumor. Through his many recent struggles, I decidedly, reluctantly, that it was his time, to avoid further struggle and discomfort.
I've been taking this much, much harder than I had even expected, but his "brother" (not biological), Chandler, is who concerns me. He's nearly 15, and for over a decade now, he's become pretty well-versed in change. He's moved several times, adapted to different lifestyles, and he's even changed hands in my family more than once. The only constant for him, regardless of where he lived or who cared for him, was Zeppelin.
I would've told you, before Zeppy's passing, and particularly in his last weeks, that Chandler didn't really care for him. I had to focus my attention pretty much solely on making sure Zeppy was comfortable, I had to hold a borderline ravenous Chan while Zeppy slowly and deliberately ate food and drank water (otherwise, Chan would have pushed Zep out of the way and finished it all himself, leaving nothing for Zeppelin), and even before that, the closest thing to affection they'd ever shown each other was a begrudging acceptance of the other's constant presence.
Since Zeppy's passing, though, Chandler has been like a ghost. He still eats and drinks, there's been no change in his diet, but he is undeniably depressed. Sometimes he'll even eerily mimic Zeppelin's behavior in ways he never had before. Zeppy would always sleep on my chest, but Chandler, despite being the much more affectionate of the two, never found that position comfortable. Now he'll frequently lay against me in exactly the way Zeppy did, and he'll stick close to Zeppy's old haunts in my apartment, and he shows nothing of the curiosity and livelihood that he used to.
I've been giving him loads of attention, more than I ever could have when Zeppy needed it most, or before Zeppelin's decline in health, when I felt I had to give them equal love to try and avoid the glares they'd give each other. There's no more restrictions on food in the respect that he doesn't have to agonizingly wait for Zeppy to finish. He doesn't have to fear Zeppy halfheartedly biting him anymore. Despite all of that, though, he's just... totally despondent.
I can't explain the situation to him, obviously, but I just don't know what to do. I'm thinking of taking him to the vet soon to make sure he's okay, but I was just wondering if this was normal behavior, and what I should do to make sure he can be comfortable and happy moving forward.
I've been taking this much, much harder than I had even expected, but his "brother" (not biological), Chandler, is who concerns me. He's nearly 15, and for over a decade now, he's become pretty well-versed in change. He's moved several times, adapted to different lifestyles, and he's even changed hands in my family more than once. The only constant for him, regardless of where he lived or who cared for him, was Zeppelin.
I would've told you, before Zeppy's passing, and particularly in his last weeks, that Chandler didn't really care for him. I had to focus my attention pretty much solely on making sure Zeppy was comfortable, I had to hold a borderline ravenous Chan while Zeppy slowly and deliberately ate food and drank water (otherwise, Chan would have pushed Zep out of the way and finished it all himself, leaving nothing for Zeppelin), and even before that, the closest thing to affection they'd ever shown each other was a begrudging acceptance of the other's constant presence.
Since Zeppy's passing, though, Chandler has been like a ghost. He still eats and drinks, there's been no change in his diet, but he is undeniably depressed. Sometimes he'll even eerily mimic Zeppelin's behavior in ways he never had before. Zeppy would always sleep on my chest, but Chandler, despite being the much more affectionate of the two, never found that position comfortable. Now he'll frequently lay against me in exactly the way Zeppy did, and he'll stick close to Zeppy's old haunts in my apartment, and he shows nothing of the curiosity and livelihood that he used to.
I've been giving him loads of attention, more than I ever could have when Zeppy needed it most, or before Zeppelin's decline in health, when I felt I had to give them equal love to try and avoid the glares they'd give each other. There's no more restrictions on food in the respect that he doesn't have to agonizingly wait for Zeppy to finish. He doesn't have to fear Zeppy halfheartedly biting him anymore. Despite all of that, though, he's just... totally despondent.
I can't explain the situation to him, obviously, but I just don't know what to do. I'm thinking of taking him to the vet soon to make sure he's okay, but I was just wondering if this was normal behavior, and what I should do to make sure he can be comfortable and happy moving forward.
. I seriously would consider adopting another "senior" cat from a shelter. There are soo many old cats in shelters that desperately need homes. I bet Chandler would like that very much, another companion in the house even if they don't become the best of friends in their old age. My sister lost her old cat last year and has another twelve year old cat. After Howie passed, she got another senior cat (thirteen) and she talks to me all the time about how happy she is she adopted Birdie for her Tully. And both female!!!! They are the best of "old" friends. 
