1
My mother-in-law's cat, Jenny, came to live with us about three weeks ago. This was after my mother-in-law's death. Jenny, has since then become depressed. She sleeps most of the day, and is eating very little. We must pick her up to take her to her food and water dish. We also take her outside in hopes that she will perk up. What else can we do to help her adjust to her new home. We have 4 other cats. They were introduced slowly to Jenny.
2
My 15 yr old cat keeps searching for her 14 yrold son that I had put to sleep 5 months ago. What can I do to get her out of this?
1
My mother-in-law's cat, Jenny, came to live with us about three weeks ago. This was after my mother-in-law's death. Jenny, has since then become depressed. She sleeps most of the day, and is eating very little. We must pick her up to take her to her food and water dish. We also take her outside in hopes that she will perk up. What else can we do to help her adjust to her new home. We have 4 other cats. They were introduced slowly to Jenny.
It is not unusual for animals to mourn the loss of either people or their housemates. If Jenny was an only cat then she is likely used to a great deal of human interaction. Not only that, but she also misses your mother-in-law. She also may be intimidated by the other cats in the home. Try providing a food bowl, water dish and litter box near where she spends her time. Go to her frequently and softly speak to her and groom and/or pet her to let her know that someone cares for her. If the other cats are bothering her, make sure she has a safe and quiet place to be. The mourning period can last a month or two. If she stops eating or drinking entirely, please consult with your veterinarian for further treatment.
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2
My 15 yr old cat keeps searching for her 14 yrold son that I had put to sleep 5 months ago. What can I do to get her out of this?
It is not unusual for a cat to mourn the loss of a housemate. Often creating new situations and interactions helps the cat begin to adjust. It is often useful to set aside time every day for special interactions such as play and grooming. In addition creating a new sleeping area or window perch can be a useful change. In some cases medical problems may also be a confounding factor so a veterinary examination and perhaps laboratory tests may be prudent.
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