"Widowed" cat will not stop crying

I agree. Have her see a vet to rule out hyperthyroidism.
Gail
wrote in message
...

My 17 year old spayed female cat, who
has been left behind, now howls deep
gutteral meows on and off all day and
night. I thought after a few months it
would improve, but it has not. I go to
find her and she will be sitting on the
edge of the counter howling with all of
her might. I will pick her up and cuddle
or take her back to bed, and she will
purr and be fine, but within an hour,
she will be at it again.
I know she has been traumatized by
losing her friend, but I just don't know
what else to do to console her. Does
anyone have any suggestions? Love and
treats just doesn't seem to be working
and I have no interest in bringing
another cat into the house as a
replacement. It is obvious she is
miserable, and I hate to see my
sweetheart in so much pain.

You should take your cat to the vet and have some bloodwork done,
especially to check for thyroid function. With any cat, but especially
one that is as old as yours, it is important to rule out a health issue
first before assuming it is behavioral. Cats with hyperthyroidism, which
occurs almost exclusively in cats that are 10 or older, exhibit symptoms
such as howling and excessive vocalization. The fact that this occurred
soon after she lost her friend may only be a coincidence and unrelated.

Megan



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On 31 Mar 2004 08:20:18 -0800, (Mimi) wrote:

Hi,

Until 2 months ago, I had 2 wonderful older cats. The 15 year old
male was finally put down when his cancer was too much for both of us.
My 17 year old spayed female cat, who has been left behind, now howls
deep gutteral meows on and off all day and night. I thought after a
few months it would improve, but it has not. I go to find her and she
will be sitting on the edge of the counter howling with all of her
might. I will pick her up and cuddle or take her back to bed, and she
will purr and be fine, but within an hour, she will be at it again.

I know she has been traumatized by losing her friend, but I just don't
know what else to do to console her. Does anyone have any
suggestions? Love and treats just doesn't seem to be working and I
have no interest in bringing another cat into the house as a
replacement. It is obvious she is miserable, and I hate to see my
sweetheart in so much pain.

Thanks in advance to all responders - I am at a loss.

Two things folks have commented on already. Check for health issues,
and get another cat. I will also repeat, not a kitten. I did that and
it drove my old boy crazy which he really didn't need. Get a senior
cat that needs a home.

Now one more thing, too late for you but a suggestion for others. If
you have two cats that have been together for a long time and one
dies, let the other one "view" the body. Animals do understand death,
at least mine did. I took him to the vet where he saw and sniffed the
dead body and he knew his buddy wasn't coming home. At least he didn't
wonder why his buddy left him.

On 31 Mar 2004 08:20:18 -0800, (Mimi) wrote:

Hi,

Until 2 months ago, I had 2 wonderful older cats. The 15 year old
male was finally put down when his cancer was too much for both of us.
My 17 year old spayed female cat, who has been left behind, now howls
deep gutteral meows on and off all day and night. I thought after a
few months it would improve, but it has not. I go to find her and she
will be sitting on the edge of the counter howling with all of her
might. I will pick her up and cuddle or take her back to bed, and she
will purr and be fine, but within an hour, she will be at it again.

I know she has been traumatized by losing her friend, but I just don't
know what else to do to console her. Does anyone have any
suggestions? Love and treats just doesn't seem to be working and I
have no interest in bringing another cat into the house as a
replacement. It is obvious she is miserable, and I hate to see my
sweetheart in so much pain.

Thanks in advance to all responders - I am at a loss.

Two things folks have commented on already. Check for health issues,
and get another cat. I will also repeat, not a kitten. I did that and
it drove my old boy crazy which he really didn't need. Get a senior
cat that needs a home.

Now one more thing, too late for you but a suggestion for others. If
you have two cats that have been together for a long time and one
dies, let the other one "view" the body. Animals do understand death,
at least mine did. I took him to the vet where he saw and sniffed the
dead body and he knew his buddy wasn't coming home. At least he didn't
wonder why his buddy left him.

Sure you do, but you don't want to do it. I understand. I "had no
interest" in adopting another cat when my cat died at age 20--until
two months had passed. Maybe everyone has their own inner time table
for this sort of thing. Maybe you will never want another cat, but I
hope not. You know there are so many kittens and adults who need you,
and while no cat can replace your sweet boy, one might come to be your
heart's delight just the same. Your kitty is lonely for her lost
companion. He will never be replaced for her either, but another cat
who needs a home could at least distract her. When you are ready, if
you ever are, please consider opening your broken heart to another
kitty. It helped mine to heal. Don't want a kitten due to the hassle
of training one? Get a young adult that has been socialized at a
no-kill shelter, if they have one in your area. Sweetest, best
behaved, most grateful cats ever.



Not so fast. I can't say I agree with you at all. The cat is 17 years old, no
spring chicken, so a kitten may be way to rambunctious for her. As far as an
older one is concerned, you seem to come from it at the point of view of the
new cat "socialized." What about the sensitivities of the resident cat. This
is her home for many years and I am sure she has her territory all staked out.
Are you sure she will accept a transgressor in her territory. Are you sure the
adjustment period wouldn't be too streesful for her?

I understand the thought behind it, and if she were much younger I would
readily agree.

Sure you do, but you don't want to do it. I understand. I "had no
interest" in adopting another cat when my cat died at age 20--until
two months had passed. Maybe everyone has their own inner time table
for this sort of thing. Maybe you will never want another cat, but I
hope not. You know there are so many kittens and adults who need you,
and while no cat can replace your sweet boy, one might come to be your
heart's delight just the same. Your kitty is lonely for her lost
companion. He will never be replaced for her either, but another cat
who needs a home could at least distract her. When you are ready, if
you ever are, please consider opening your broken heart to another
kitty. It helped mine to heal. Don't want a kitten due to the hassle
of training one? Get a young adult that has been socialized at a
no-kill shelter, if they have one in your area. Sweetest, best
behaved, most grateful cats ever.



Not so fast. I can't say I agree with you at all. The cat is 17 years old, no
spring chicken, so a kitten may be way to rambunctious for her. As far as an
older one is concerned, you seem to come from it at the point of view of the
new cat "socialized." What about the sensitivities of the resident cat. This
is her home for many years and I am sure she has her territory all staked out.
Are you sure she will accept a transgressor in her territory. Are you sure the
adjustment period wouldn't be too streesful for her?

I understand the thought behind it, and if she were much younger I would
readily agree.

"GovtLawyer" wrote



Not so fast. I can't say I agree with you at all.

Whoa! NO? NO?!!! Well, guess what, Gov, in a free and open discussion
that is .... just fine. :')

The cat is 17 years old, no
spring chicken, so a kitten may be way to rambunctious for her.

Since you read this group, you know that reports about introducing a
new cat vary. Some have more success with a kitten because it is less
threatening, some with a full-grown cat for the reasons you state.
Which is why I also offered the suggestion of an older cat.

As far as an
older one is concerned, you seem to come from it at the point of
view of the
new cat "socialized." What about the sensitivities of the resident
cat. This
is her home for many years and I am sure she has her territory all
staked out.
Are you sure she will accept a transgressor in her territory. Are
you sure the
adjustment period wouldn't be too streesful for her?

Okay, now go back and try reading my reply again. Notice all the
sensitive
talk about "timing?" Hmmm? And why would you assume that I am "sure"
about anything concerning a cat I don't know? What I do know is that I
and many others have had cats that grieved for their lost buds, and
I, and many others, have introduced new cats which seemed to help.
I did it (as I said in my post, reading comprehension, man!) when
my 20-year-old died, and my 16-year-old did just fine. They are
best buds now. Remember, her cat is accustomed to having
another cat around. Which is my reason for making the suggestion.

I understand the thought behind it, and if she were much younger I
would
readily agree.

Trust the OP to know what is right for her cat and what is or is not
working out. Only she knows why she "has no interest" in offering
a home to another cat, but the way it sounds like she loves her
current and past cat, I would bet it is grief and not wanting
to seem to try to "replace" the irreplaceable boy. However, there
may be other reasons, and she may not be open to adopting
another cat at all. My advice was offered because it worked
for my older, grieving, lonely girl. All we know is our experiences.
I take it you have been in the OP's position and had a new cat
upset your older surviving cat so much you could not keep
it, eh?

"GovtLawyer" wrote



Not so fast. I can't say I agree with you at all.

Whoa! NO? NO?!!! Well, guess what, Gov, in a free and open discussion
that is .... just fine. :')

The cat is 17 years old, no
spring chicken, so a kitten may be way to rambunctious for her.

Since you read this group, you know that reports about introducing a
new cat vary. Some have more success with a kitten because it is less
threatening, some with a full-grown cat for the reasons you state.
Which is why I also offered the suggestion of an older cat.

As far as an
older one is concerned, you seem to come from it at the point of
view of the
new cat "socialized." What about the sensitivities of the resident
cat. This
is her home for many years and I am sure she has her territory all
staked out.
Are you sure she will accept a transgressor in her territory. Are
you sure the
adjustment period wouldn't be too streesful for her?

Okay, now go back and try reading my reply again. Notice all the
sensitive
talk about "timing?" Hmmm? And why would you assume that I am "sure"
about anything concerning a cat I don't know? What I do know is that I
and many others have had cats that grieved for their lost buds, and
I, and many others, have introduced new cats which seemed to help.
I did it (as I said in my post, reading comprehension, man!) when
my 20-year-old died, and my 16-year-old did just fine. They are
best buds now. Remember, her cat is accustomed to having
another cat around. Which is my reason for making the suggestion.

I understand the thought behind it, and if she were much younger I
would
readily agree.

Trust the OP to know what is right for her cat and what is or is not
working out. Only she knows why she "has no interest" in offering
a home to another cat, but the way it sounds like she loves her
current and past cat, I would bet it is grief and not wanting
to seem to try to "replace" the irreplaceable boy. However, there
may be other reasons, and she may not be open to adopting
another cat at all. My advice was offered because it worked
for my older, grieving, lonely girl. All we know is our experiences.
I take it you have been in the OP's position and had a new cat
upset your older surviving cat so much you could not keep
it, eh?

Whoa! NO? NO?!!! Well, guess what, Gov, in a free and open discussion
that is .... just fine. :')

Your reaction is a bit hysterical. So, I said I disagreed and gave my reasons
why. Why are you getting all bent out of shape. Sure, the pet owner knows
what's best, I just thought it might be worthwhile that she hear another
opinion about it. I didn't put your's or anyone elses opinion down, I just
offered an alternative one. Relax.

Whoa! NO? NO?!!! Well, guess what, Gov, in a free and open discussion
that is .... just fine. :')

Your reaction is a bit hysterical. So, I said I disagreed and gave my reasons
why. Why are you getting all bent out of shape. Sure, the pet owner knows
what's best, I just thought it might be worthwhile that she hear another
opinion about it. I didn't put your's or anyone elses opinion down, I just
offered an alternative one. Relax.

Yep, you have a wonderful opportunity to adopt an 8+ year old cat and
boy are people needed who are willing to adopt that old an cat. I
realize that you don't feel the need for another cat, but it sounds
like you're existing cat is telling you pretty strongly that *they*
do.