Cats can experience heartbreak and grief just like humans. When a cat loses a companion cat that it is bonded with, or an owner that it is attached to, it can show signs of depression, stress, and mourning. Some key indicators that a cat may be heartbroken include changes in behavior, unkempt fur, changes in litter box habits, changes in eating patterns, and vocalizing or searching behaviors. Recognizing the signs of heartbreak in cats allows owners to provide extra love and care to help their cat through a difficult transition. With time, patience, and added affection, heartbroken cats can recover and accept the loss of a loved one.
Changes in Behavior
One of the most notable signs of a heartbroken cat is a distinct change in normal behavior. Where a cat was once playful and energetic, it may become withdrawn and inactive when grieving. A heartbroken cat may hide for hours under beds or in closets, sulking and mourning out of sight. Cats that were quite social may avoid human interactions and hiss or swat when approached during this emotionally fragile time. Vocalizing behaviors like meowing or yowling can increase as cats search for their missing companion. Cats may also engage in searching behaviors, constantly wandering the house looking for their friend or owner. These behaviors stem from confusion and stress as cats struggle to cope with the sudden absence of a loved one. An otherwise friendly, playful cat transforming into a more aggressive, antisocial version of itself can signify the pain of heartbreak.
Aggression and Acting Out
Some grieving cats behave in an uncharacteristically aggressive way, such as hissing, growling, or swatting at humans or other pets. This stems from stress, fear, and feeling threatened while in a vulnerable emotional state. Cats may act out when heartbroken by knocking over items, scratching furniture, or eliminating outside the litter box. This is a cry for attention and a way for cats to release emotional distress. With patience and by catering to the cat’s needs during this sensitive time, the cat can recover from the anger and sadness phases of grief.
Excessive Vocalization
Cats will often meow or yowl excessively when mourning the loss of another cat or owner. The vocalizations signal anxiety and stress over the absence of the companion. Cats may wander the house crying loudly while searching for their missing friend or owner. The vocalizing can become frequent and persistent, even happening throughout the night. Understanding vocalizing as a normal reaction to grief can prevent frustration on the owner’s part. Responding to the attention-seeking cries with patience and affection can help soothe a heartbroken cat during the healing process.
Clinginess
Some heartbroken cats become very clingy and constantly follow their owners from room to room. Where they were once more independent, grieving cats may suddenly become velcro cats that stick close by their owner’s side at all times. This helps cats feel more secure when coping with loss. Make sure to shower clingy cats with extra attention and affection. Hold and pet them whenever possible to help relieve stress and anxiety. Provide secure hiding spots they can retreat to when needing alone time. With consistency and compassion, clingy behavior will resolve over time.
Unkempt or Matted Fur
A heartbroken cat may stop grooming itself, resulting in a dull, matted coat. Where the cat once kept itself meticulously groomed, it now appears disheveled and dirty. Lack of grooming happens because depression suppresses normal, healthy behaviors like self-care. Matted fur also occurs when the cat is not moving much and is predominantly hiding and sleeping. Help sad cats regain grooming habits by gently brushing their coat each day. This physical care helps lift their mood and resume a sense of normalcy. Make sure heartbroken cats are eating properly so they have nutrients for skin and coat health. With dedicated brushing and nutritional care, the cat’s unkempt appearance will improve.
Reasons Cats Stop Grooming
There are a few reasons a grieving cat may stop grooming:
- Depression suppresses natural grooming behaviors
- Lethargy and inactivity lead to matted fur
- Pain or illness prevents proper grooming
- Being outdoors or lost results in dirt and tangles
- Added stress causes grooming to become a lower priority
- Change in surroundings or unfamiliar environment
By being patient and helping the cat regularly groom through brushing, you can get the cat feeling and looking like itself again. Make sure grooming neglect does not stem from an underlying medical issue requiring veterinary care.
Methods to Encourage Grooming
You can encourage proper grooming in a heartbroken cat using these tactics:
- Gently brush the cat’s coat daily
- Use a calming pet grooming spray
- Offer praise and treats for sitting still during brushing sessions
- Try out different brushes to see which the cat likes best
- Invest in a heated grooming pad for cats that enjoy warmth
- Use Feliway products to reduce stress during grooming
- Schedule regular veterinarian exams to rule out illness causing grooming issues
Consistency, care, and patience will get grooming habits back on track.
Changes in Litter Box Habits
Cats experiencing heartbreak may begin to eliminate outside of the litter box. Accidents around the house can stem from the stress, anxiety, and depression of mourning a lost companion or owner. The cat is out of sorts emotionally and temporarily forgets or disregards proper litter box habits. When a cat is heartbroken, be patient about accidents and resist scolding or punishing them. Instead, focus on retraining litter box use through encouragement and by addressing underlying issues.
Reasons for Inappropriate Elimination
There are some key reasons a grieving cat may start eliminating in the house:
- Marking spots out of stress and insecurity
- Associating litter box with lost companion
- Forming negative litter box associations
- Experiencing separation anxiety
- Showing distress and emotional turmoil
- Needing more daily affection and attention
- Forgetting the proper place to eliminate
While frustrating for owners, inappropriate elimination is generally a temporary behavioral issue in grieving cats that can be corrected with compassion.
How to Get Litter Box Habits Back on Track
You can get a heartbroken cat consistently using the litter box again through:
- Purchasing additional litter boxes to make access easy
- Trying different types of litter to see if a change appeals
- Thoroughly cleaning soiled areas with enzymatic cleaner
- Restricting access to frequently soiled rooms
- Using synthetic pheromone sprays and diffusers
- Rewarding proper litter box use with treats
- Keeping litter boxes clean, scooping twice daily
- Giving extra snuggles, play time, and brushing
With devoted care and litter retraining tactics, inappropriate elimination issues will resolve. The key is patience and understanding during the cat’s turbulent grieving period.
Changes in Eating Patterns
Grieving cats often experience a loss of appetite and interest in food. The sadness of losing a friend or owner suppresses the normal desire to eat. Some cats even engage in hunger strikes, refusing most or all food. This dangerous behavior stems from severe depression and requires veterinary intervention. More moderate eating issues include picking at food, walking away from untouched meals, and a general disinterest in favorite foods. To stimulate appetite, engage cats with interactive feeding toys, hand feed enticing morsels, and stick to a consistent feeding schedule. Also, make sure heartbroken cats stay hydrated by providing multiple fresh water sources. With extra encouragement, appetites recover once cats start to process grief and regain wellbeing.
Reasons Cats May Stop Eating
There are a few key reasons a heartbroken cat may experience appetite loss or aversion to food:
- Intense feelings of depression
- The stress of losing a companion cat or owner
- Sudden change in environment or routine
- Nausea from anxiety
- Fatigue and low energy from grieving
- Senses of confusion, fear, or insecurity
- Lost interest in all normal activities
Recognizing the deep emotional pain behind eating issues helps owners respond with patience and care.
Tips for Increasing Appetite
You can help spark appetite in a grieving cat using these tips:
- Make mealtimes more interactive with food puzzles
- Try warming up wet food to make the aroma more enticing
- Hand feed favorite treats or pieces of meat
- Use calming pheromone diffusers near food bowls
- Offer a variety of food textures and flavors
- Stick to an eating routine with consistent meal times
- Have the cat eat in a quiet, comfortable space
With creativity and persistence, cats will regain interest in food and resume normal intake.
Vocalizing and Searching Behaviors
Two common behaviors in grieving cats are vocalizing and searching. A cat missing its companion cat or owner will meow and yowl excessively. It also roams the house looking for the lost companion. These behaviors reflect the cat’s stress, confusion, and longing. It is searching for answers and comfort about the absent friend or owner. Respond to this communication by spending more one-on-one time with the cat. Increase snuggling, lap sitting, brushing and play sessions. This added affection and attention helps fill the void left behind. In time, as the cat adjusts to loss, the vocalizing and searching behaviors will taper off.
Reasons for Excessive Meowing and Yowling
Heartbroken cats meow and yowl more frequently for these reasons:
- Calling out for the missing cat or owner
- Expressing confusion, fear, and sadness
- Coping with feelings of abandonment
- Seeking new sources of comfort and affection
- Dealing with disruption of normal routine
- Feeling insecure and anxious without companion
Understanding why cats vocalize can help owners respond in supportive ways.
How to Reduce Excessive Meowing
You can help minimize vocalizing behaviors in these calming ways:
- Spend more quality time playing, petting and interacting with the cat
- Make sure the cat is getting adequate sleep and rest
- Provide hiding places and cozy beds so the cat feels secure
- Use Feliway pheromone products to reduce stress
- Offer rewards when the cat is quiet to reinforce silence
- Ignore attention-seeking meows to avoid encouraging them
- Consult your vet to address possible medical issues
With understanding and patience, vocalizing will diminish and resolve.
| Signs of a Heartbroken Cat | Ways to Help |
|---|---|
| Hiding and sleeping more | Give space but check on cat often |
| Aggression or acting out | Avoid scolding, use calming pheromones |
| Excessively vocalizing | Increase affection and playtime |
| Clingy behavior | Provide extra snuggles and reassurance |
| Loss of appetite | Make meals more enticing with special foods |
| Neglecting grooming | Brush cat’s coat daily |
| Inappropriate elimination | Add more litter boxes, clean frequently |
Conclusion
Cats can feel real grief and heartbreak after the loss of another cat or owner they bond with. While the signs of an emotionally suffering cat can frustrate and concern owners, it is important to respond with patience, care, and compassion. Proper treatment of heartbroken cats includes giving them extra affection, maintaining routines, using calming pheromones, and retraining any problem behaviors with positive reinforcement. With time, grieving cats bounce back and regain their normal spirits, behaviors, and emotional wellbeing. Shower the cat with love and support, and be empathetic to its loss. With this added TLC, the cat will successfully overcome heartbreak.