More on the loss of a pet

If you have lost a pet, it helps to know that there are others who have suffered the same loss and know your pain from experience. Even other pets in the house are affected

when one of their feline friends dies.

A grieving cat may refuse to eat, refuse to stay in the house,

pace back and forth, and become more vocal as they try to understand and cope with the sudden disappearance of their friend.

The best thing for a cat that is grieving the loss of a feline (or human) friend is to give it lots of love and affection. It helps

to understand that just as it takes humans weeks, months or even years to get over the death of someone dear to us, cats can grieve for weeks or months as well.

Also, don't be in a rush to introduce a new cat into the home. The grieving cat needs time to adjust to the absence of its friend and this is important. Give your cat lots of attention and be patient if it misbehaves. Meanwhile, if you notice extreme personality changes or a continuing refusal to eat, contact your vet for assistance and to rule out the possibility of illness.

For more on this subject, you might want to check out these links:

How the death of a pet affects other pets in the home & understanding the grieving cat:

http://www.messybeast.com/cat-grief.htm

If you are currently dealing with the imminent or recent death of a pet:

http://www.chancesspot.org/hotlines.htm

For help coping with the death of your pet:

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/coping_with_the_death_of_your_pet/

To create a memorial online for your pet:

http://www.ilovedmypet.com/