[DiMarie]

I didn't know if Doc Troy came in or anyone had thoughts about death of an owner and multiple cats.

When my daughter passed away last week she left behind her Cat children. Scarlett 8-F, Dehilia 7-F, and Samson, 5-M years old. I have them up with me. They were at my home,when she was in hospitals and the odler two have walked in the summer with ehr and even slept on my lap. As soon as I walked in her door they came loving me up as a second Mom. So part is OK that they know me and the family.

They must miss her though, they stayed downstairs several days, cry at the steps and I ahve to carry them up. Except for Samson, he is hiding. He is skitzy. When she was in the hospital last year he was here a few weeks, Rarely came out. When I went to take hime home, he clawed my chest accidently, so frightened.

But, I wonder how do cats grieve, when they come up meowing at the steps and looking towrd their home are they looking for her. Will they adapt. I have two cats, Kitty 15 year male and Tigger the man, hunter M, 12 yrs old.

Tigger is in love with scarlett, she down't not return affection. He stole a kiss, he gives low sweet rolling purr to her. SHe is like no way sir, lol. Scarlett and Mr Kitty are walking together, sitting together. All cats fixed.

I am overwhelmed wiht their care, I need a scond of everything, litter maid, water fountain bowl, food. I don;t know how I will afford them, I think of finding Sammy a home with a single person that he will not be so skitzed from activity, but he will miss his sisters. He is aggressive to thme in his own home and it was getting harmonal with him all along.

I hate when you get attached and they pass to. Last year I lost my oldest a cat over 20.

ANy thoughts,
Dianne

[printerhead]

Hi!
I hope you can get this sorted out okay..I know it's hard to afford but maybe it will work out. I have seen pets grieve for humans, and it seems the same as when they grieve for another pet. My cocker spaniel "Sparky" was hit by a car and killed a year ago, and my other dog, a pug named "Sumo" had a hell of a time adapting. He refused to eat, slept all the time, and was very lethargic. If you wanted to show him affection, you had to go get him and pick him up and "force it on him. We got another dog "Joey" who is a shepherd mix, and now all is well. I hope this helps...
Dave

[mrsD]

I am so sorry about your daughter. I want to tell you that again.

In regards to cats...I think they vary. We have one cat that grieves alot all the time, when my husband is not with her during vacation interruptions. We all go up north together and he comes home to work some, and then returns.
She is very attached to him, and her behavior changes when he leaves.
She was also very upset when a young male cat we used to have, was killed
suddenly. She was depressed for several weeks. We finally got her a kitten companion. (they play together now).
Our other cat could care less. So it can be very individual. (cats can be very strange sometimes--eccentric).

If you can get their bowls, and use them at your house, that might help with
the transition.
Also some clothing of your daughter's that still has her scent on them (unwashed--like robes, sweaters).
The cats' pillows, blankets etc. This might be hard for YOU, to see the articles around your house, but it might really help THEM.

Cats are very flexible however. My son has an adopted female rescue adult, who bonded very well with both he and his roommate. He has had her over a year, and she became acutely ill and he had to leave her at the Vet's for a weekend on IVs and she went bonkers, thinking she was abandoned again. This was an unexpected clue into her psyche...he did not think she "cared" that much.

Cats are all very different however. I'd give at least 2 weeks, and maybe longer for the fearful one. Some extra attention in the way of food treats, helps. Did your daughter give special food treats? Like chicken, shrimp (we do this) or other goodies? If not, you could start a new tradition, and cats really groove on FOOD..more than you would think! (we give a food treat only once a day..a special attention time).

[Curious]

hi di.

quick reply here...watch for cats getting depressed. you will notice their eyes. that inner corner membrane will come out and they will be kinda looking to the outside. not like cross eyed...the other way.

you might even notice the deep meowing sound..almost like the mating sound. they are "calling" their loved one.

just give them time and as much affection as you can. but don't feel bad about finding them loving homes.

[Lara]

Cats will sometimes overgroom as well because of the stress. One of my cats became very depressed when I lost her companion kitty. She overgroomed, was lethargic, not eating enough and basically looked sad. Not at all her usual self. Took her to vet. I started giving her Rescue Remedy (homeopathy) for a while as well.

One thing that might happen if there are a number of cats suddenly sharing the same area, is that your own cats might start marking their territory. Even if they appear to be friendly this can happen, and even if they've never done it before inside the house.

I'd do what mrsd suggested about using their own bowls etc., would be a big help. I'm sorry it's such a difficult time for you to do this, but as already suggested I'd be bringing over one of your daughter's rugs or floor mats or something like that, so that the cats have something very familiar with them.

(((Di)))

[DiMarie]

THe ideas are great and things to watch for. I did get their own bowls, pluged in my cat fountain, they wanted the water to run, to keep pipes in the trailer from freezing we left a stady drip anmd they drank that way. The fountain I had for a long time but needed a filter.

Dehlila, has licked her belly bold. She has a loud meow and cries at the bottom of the steps, the first three days. Not often now. She is coming up the steps a few times now today.

Curious: Scarlett looks out the door towards her home and wants to go out. My "Tigger" has given that mating call to Scarlett. It was so cute, he gave her one kiss months ago, then took a second, she hit him and snarled,lol. Well, Tigger is still in love with her.

Scarlett will be fine, Sammy I am really concerned about. Before this happened he wa humping the two girls and we were really considering with his tackling them too, that he needed a home alone and even a single adult to care for him. I am sure now is not the right time.

I am getting a litter maid, I have both His and hers litter boxes up and feel like a pooper scooper is my job. My litermaid after several years is no longer scooping.

I am not sure about the blanket..will it make them be really more confused as she is not sick and coming home soon, But on the other hand like suggested will it comfort? For Sammy at least I should bring her pillow and put it behind the couch he won't come out from behind and under.

It is like company you enjoy then for days or few weeks, but long term is going to be hard, costly.

That use to be one of the things I would tell her when she was not participating in her health care maturely, well, she had to be here for the cats, it would be a burden to me, and upset the cats from their home...to shock her. She would cry that she did not want to have the cats in that situation.

I will keep a watch, keep loving them, they already loved me, the girls anyway, so that was easy for them. But, they went back home with Mom eventually, but not this time....

My Tigger is so cute, he is so in love, Now Scarlett will follow the other cat, the long hair pretty persian hymilian....so even cats must like pretty thiings, lol.
Di