Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Tramatized Cat?

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 11/27/2008


Question
Hello,

A few months ago my 18-year old cat died of kidney failure.  Before she died my vet allowed to me to take her home to treat her on an IV as a last attempt before considering euthanization.  Unfortunately, she did not make it through the night.  When she went into cardiac arrest, I held her in my arms while sitting on my bed.  She was making a horrible crying sound so loud that my other cat ran into the room and jumped on the bed to see what was going on.  Since then my other cat refuses to sleep on the bed.  He used to curl up next to me at night and would sleep on the bed during the day.  Could he be traumatized by seeing my other cat die on the bed?  He still curls up with me on the couch but refuses to go anywhere near my bed.  Any suggestions on how I can get him to sleep on the bed with me again?  I've tried Feliway but that doesn't seem to help either.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and best regards,
Nancy

Answer
Nancy,

I'm sorry about your kitty. It's hard, I know,

Cats go by association and the other cat may associate the bed with your other cat 'disappearing'. Cats have no concept of death so it wouldn't be a logical explanation to his behavior.

I would get a new bedspread, or cover part of yours with a very soft material like velour, and spread some catnip on it. See if he reacts to that. Or give him some kitty treats on the bed (a dish of tuna, some tinned sardines in oil, etc.) to make the association of the bed a happy place to be again.

If he doesn't respond to that then it may be some reason in his mind that only he knows what it is and why. Time may correct the problem.

Happy Thanksgiving,

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.

Experience

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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