Is is possible for a cat's sibling to feel the effects of a deceased sibling?
@Linda4ualways (2282)
United States
October 20, 2008 7:56am CST
Let me explain. My cat passed away and is now in Heaven but what I want to know is if it is possible that her brother Louie can tell that something is wrong or that his sister Johnnie passed on? They were really close and I know as humans we feel the loss of our siblings so I would assume that cats do the same. Am I right? God Bless everyone!
2 people like this
5 responses
@ellie333 (21016)
•
20 Oct 08
Hi Linda, Of course Louie is missing Johnnie and will be pining in his own way bless. I think they get over the loss far quicker than we do and he will probably start to enjoy being the only one getting the attention too as thats cats for you eh! Once again sorry for your loss of Johnnie. Huggles. Ellie :D
@Linda4ualways (2282)
• United States
20 Oct 08
Thanks a bunch ellie and I believe Louie is starting to feel better because he was drinking water today. Take care!1 person likes this
@Linda4ualways (2282)
• United States
20 Oct 08
Yes it is. I can't imagine watching someone I love dying.
1 person likes this
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
20 Oct 08
Aw, that's too bad you lost your little kitty. I don't know that they actually realize they're siblings or not (like us humans do), but I do think that they realize when one of their pack is missing. A couple of years ago I rescued a baby kitten, it's mother was killed by a coyote out in our field. I didn't find the baby kitties until it was too late, only one of them survived without it's mother's milk. When I found the last remaining kitten it was inconsolable and wouldn't leave me for a moment. It cried constantly despite the fact I was giving it milk in a bottle. So, I do think they understand something is wrong and amiss, and feel the loss their litter mates. She'll come around with extra love for you, and probably bond with you even stronger. Bless you through this all, it's hard to lose a pet!
1 person likes this
@Linda4ualways (2282)
• United States
20 Oct 08
It's a terrible thing to watch joyfulOne. My son just called to tell me that our other cat Louie started drinking water so I am hoping that he is starting to feel better. Thank you for responding and God Bless!
1 person likes this
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
20 Oct 08
So glad to hear Louie is starting to drink and feel some better :-) That's a good positive sign! I'm sure your son is giving Louie extra love and attention too. Just like us humans, we need to feel the love, especially during times of loss. I think cats are wayyyyyyy more intuitive than us people give them credit for! Thank you SO much for giving me an update.
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
20 Oct 08
They may not recognize each other as siblings..but I am sure they do recognize the loss of their buddy and their playmate. Dogs and cats are well aware of their companions and form bonds with them.
1 person likes this
@equilady (43)
• United States
20 Oct 08
I am so sorry for your loss! And yes, animals do mourn for each other. I have known dogs and horses to be sad for many months after loosing a companion and I am sure cats do the same thing. Unfortunately they often don't have such loving caring noticing humans and it goes unnoticed! Just give him lots of extra love and attention to help him get through the loss. Also remember that certain activities will trigger his memory of her and he may have times of being sad again for quite some time after he seems to have gotten over it. I had an old horse who for the rest of her life absolutely flipped out every time she heard heavy equipment after loosing her stable mate.
