Feline behavior has often been associated with indifference and emotional independence. However, a recent study from Oakland University, published in Applied Animal Behavior Science, challenges this view, revealing that cats can also show signs of grief after the loss of another pet that lived in the same environment, including dogs.
Cat owners have reported a range of behavioral changes following the death of another animal, such as difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, howling-like vocalizations, increased need for attention, and loss of interest in play. Research suggests that these behaviors may indicate a grief response to the loss of a partner. Grief, as a psychological phenomenon, has been widely documented in several animal species, including elephants, dolphins and chimpanzees, which demonstrate complex behaviors related to the death of their companions.
Research from Oakland University indicates that the intensity of grief in cats appears to be related to the length of time they lived with the deceased animal, regardless of whether they witnessed the death or the number of pets in the house. The study also suggests that positive relationships between animals may be associated with a decrease in sleeping, eating and playing after loss.
While the study results point to the possibility that cats experience grief, the authors also acknowledge the possibility that owners are projecting their own grief onto surviving animals. However, the research highlights the need to reconsider the perception that cats are antisocial, suggesting that they may be more affected by the loss of companions than previously believed.
Reference:
Devlin, H. (2024, August 7). Cats appear to mourn the deaths of other pets – even dogs, study finds. Animal behavior – The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/aug/07/cats-appear-to-grieve-death-of-fellow-pets-even-dogs-study-finds
