My cat watched her close friend die

My tortie Abby was home when Oscar died 2 days ago. They were home alone and they were close. He was an old guy with kidney disease but his passing like that was a shock. Abby seems ok but she was home with him for a few hours. Will that affect her, being alone with her close friend's dead body? Does she know that he passed? She also doesn't seem too sad, nor is she acting any different, which I find surprising. I was worried she'd be grief stricken. Any thoughts on this? Thank you for your comments.

It may have actually helped her to see his death. She got to smell him and accept his passing. When they don't see the other in death they may go on for a long time looking for them. When my Chrissy died I laid her out for the others to see and they both came up and carefully smelled her and even though my Burt went to her sleeping place a few times I think they both did well. Just give Abby extra love and attention right now, you BOTH need it. I'm so sorry for your loss., even when we expect the worse it is always a shock and the loss and emptiness is hard to take. Give Abby a kiss for me, I'll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. Take care.....  RIP sweet Oscar!

Thanks so much. That's really helpful to know. I'm giving Abby lots of extra attention and love for sure. I just hope my poor Oscar didn't suffer, and that Abby didn't see it. I wish I could've been there for him but all I can do is focus on how much love I gave him and that he had a wonderful life. Thanks again for your words, they mean a lot.

My experience is that it depends on the cat, but most cats don't seem bothered by the disappearance of their "friend".  For example, I had a an adult cat who played the role of big brother and dad to a kitten I had adopted.  Really took him under his paw - played with him, bathed him, showed him the ropes.  When the kitten went for snipping surgery the adult cat, after a few hours of the kitten being gone, began pacing around, meowing at me while tapping the front door with his paw - he was very worried and in distress.  When the kitten eventually came home from the vet, after the initial hissing due to different smells, the adult cat again played the role of big brother/dad.  However, years later when the older cat died, the other cat didn't even seem to notice.

More currently, when my cat died last year his friend, who grew up with him from kittenhood, didn't act any differently. A few days later he took all of 1/2 a second to look in the other cat's favorite place to hide, didn't see him there, and that was it - he never again seemed to notice the other cat missing.

I think people are more affected than the cats.

I'm very sorry for your loss.  

Oscar

Thanks so much everyone. We're getting by with a lot of love.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

RIP sweet Oscar

I agree with di and bob. I think it helped your cat. Cats are very smart too , I think it sensed that it was it's big friends time to go. Hence why it was ok with it.

We had Mr. Grimsby euthanized at the vet's office. He'd made several trips there over the previous few weeks, so Bertha was accustomed to him coming home all stinky. When we got back from that last visit, she didn't seem to notice that he wasn't around. She sniffed at his carrier once, then walked away. Every once in a while she looks around the corner for him or sniffs a spot where he once lay. But I think she is really enjoying her private time with us now and doesn't seem to be at all affected by Mr. Grimsby's disappearance. You and Abby will be fine.

Best regards.

I'm very sorry for your loss of Oscar.