Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/older cat

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 10/21/2008


Question
I had two cats, aged 18. The male just recently died. The female ( both were feral) and I were never close. But, now we're bonding. Why does she get up and meow ...cry during the night out in the hallway? I'm becoming sleep deprived.
She did not do this when the male was alive.

Answer
Missy,

I'm sorry about your your, and your kitty's loss of her kitty friend.

I would say she is suffering from a combination of Separation Anxiety, depression, and that she is grieving. You need to snap her out of it if possible because it can lead to obsessive/complusive behaviors like pulling out their fur, etc. Grieving can last up to 6 months. Give her lots of extra love and attention, and kitty treats.

Cats do not recognize death. She just knows her friend is not there and she is looking for him and crying for him. She is turning to you because she is confused and alone. Reassure her.

Your cat at 18 is approximately 88 years old in human years. They do not take stress and grief as well as a younger cat. Be patient and understanding with her. Someday soon you may wish she were still here depriving you of sleep. Give her love and security while you still can.

She may also be crying because she is deaf and/or blind. Some cats that are in a familiar area you can't tell. You should take her for an "older cat checkup" by a vet that specializes in geriatric cat cat (not all do). He can also give her something like kitty Prozac to calm her.

Here is an article on cat grief that may be helpful:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar)

http://www.messybeast.com/cat-grief.htm

I hope this helped.

Tabbi  

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

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Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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