Dear Critter Corner: I recently lost one of my cats who had lived with me for the last 18 years and it has been very difficult for not only me but his littermate, whom I adopted at the same time. He was the more outgoing of the two and they seemed inseparable since I first brought them home. Now that he is gone, I noticed that his sibling has been more vocal and seems to be seeking out my attention a lot more than in the past. I wanted to ask to see if you had any recommendations of how to best be there for her during this difficult time.
Grief over a lost loved one can be very difficult for not only us but also our animals. Their grief is expressed in a variety of ways. I would suggest continuing to monitor any big noticeable changes in her behavior during this time. This can range from a change in their appetite to noticing that your cat is seeking you out more often and wanting to be next to you. One of the first ways that we can begin helping our pets cope during the grieving process is continuing with their normal routine throughout the day by keeping their feeding time, sleeping time, and daily activities. During this time your cat might be seeking you out more for comfort and it is important to set extra time aside each day being present to provide reassurance for your furry friend. It is also important to continue offering different types of enrichment to your cat through play or engaged through play or other activities that keep them mentally stimulated. It is important to remember to go at your kitty’s pace and to be patient with them during this difficult adjustment process.