Do Cats Mourn? New Study Shows that Felines do, in Fact, Mount Grief over Death of Pet Friends, Including Dogs

Independent and aloof cats, who do not feel they grieve much, might actually feel grief more intensely than people once perceived. According to a new study published in Applied Animal Behavior Science, researchers from Oakland University in Michigan said they found that if one companion animal, such as another cat or even a dog, dies in the same household as them, a cat will grieve.

The Study on Feline Grief

A study led by a psychology professor, Jennifer Vonk, and a researcher named Brittany Greene surveyed over 400 cat owners who keep asking questions about their cats' behaviors following the loss of other household pets - whether it is another cat or a dog. According to the study, cats exhibit some behaviors that are directly aligned with those associated with grief: a decreased appetite, play, and more sleep, often quite alone. Many owners also commented on the fact that their mourning cats sought more attentions from them or appeared to be seeking their deceased companion.

Principal Findings on Cats' Social Bonds

The results of the study are significant for Vonk in that they indicate that cats are, in fact, capable of forging strong social bonds with other pets in their household, even between animals of another species. It made me a little more optimistic that they are forming attachments with each other, Vonk told NPR. From their research, the scientists discovered that cats tended to show more signs of mourning if they had loved sharing their life with the deceased pet or if they spent a long time together.

Such findings contradict the popular perception that cats are basically solitary and aloof, Vonk believes. "Unlike dogs, we tend to think that cats are aloof and not social," she told The Sunday Times. "I think we've been mischaracterizing them." This research suggests, of course, that just as dogs do, cats can form close emotional bonds with others, revealing that cats are likely more sensitive and social than is often given them credit for.

Understanding Feline Bereavement

According to the study, cats grieve differently upon the death of a close companion. Some of the behaviors observed include:

Playing and Eating Less: Cats that lose a companion may stop playing and lose their appetite.

Aloneness: Most cats were found to spend more time in solitude following the death of the companion.

Seeking More Affectionate Interaction: Cats became more affectionate with their owner, seeking solace from that loss.

Seeking: Certain cats also appeared to be seeking their dead companion, as if expecting to find them.

These reactions are similar to those observed in dogs and other social animals that experienced the death of a close companion and do indicate that cats, too have strong emotional reactions to loss.

The Legend of the Aloof Cat

The study also tries to change a few misconceptions about the social ability of cats. One perceives cats as solitary and independent and dogs are generally known for their attachment nature. As Vorhk hopes that studies like these will reshape the public perception of a cat as an emotionally capable being and, in his or her own manner, would experience and express feelings of attachment and loss.

Supporting a Mourning Cat

For pet owners, it's helpful to know that cats do grieve, too. If your cat is showing signs of grieving after the loss of a pet companion, here are ways to offer comfort to your kitty:

Maintain Routine: Cats thrive on routine. Keeping feeding and play times consistent can help your kitty feel more secure

Give More Cuddles: If you can feel them needing more affection, let your cat come to you and give them gentle reassurance.

Give New Enrichment: Novel toys, enrichment puzzle feeders, or new play activities can be used as a distraction into new behaviors.

Give Them Their Space: Some cats require greater amounts of alone time to re-acclimate. Let them have it if that is what they are requiring.

In the light of all this, that one study on feline grief opened our understanding toward the deepness of emotions in cats and made us regard them as complex, social creatures. Looking at the capacity of having the feeling of grief, cat owners could better support their pets within the tough experience of losing a beloved companion.