The loss of a beloved pet owner is always hard, especially when that pet is a cat. Cats form deep bonds with their owners and thrive on routine. So when an owner suddenly disappears, it can be very distressing and confusing for cats.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: research shows that cats likely do recognize when their owner has died. They may search for them, vocalize more, decrease their activity, and show other signs of grief.
Cats Form Strong Bonds with Their Owners
Cats become attached to their owners
Cats can form strong bonds with their human caregivers. While the stereotype is that cats are aloof loners, research shows that kitties actually get quite attached to their owners and need human interaction.
According to a 2019 study by scientists at Oregon State University, most cats had secure attachments to their owners similar to dogs and babies. Kittens that had early positive experiences with humans tended to become more affectionate adult cats.
Cats rely on their owners to provide food, shelter, playtime, and affection. When given proper care and attention, cats become comfortable with their owners and view them as a source of safety and comfort.
In fact, scientists believe the dynamics between cats and owners are similar to parent-child relationships. Cats even produce oxytocin, the “love hormone,” when interacting positively with their owners.
Cats recognize their owner’s voice and scent
Cats can recognize their owner’s voice and distinguish it from strangers’ voices. A 2019 study by Japanese researchers found that cats’ brains processed their owners’ voices differently than unfamiliar voices. When the cats heard their owners, key reward areas of their brains activated.
Cats also remember their owners by scent. They have an excellent sense of smell and use scent signals to identify other cats, people, and locations. A cat’s memory of their owner’s scent helps reinforce the bond.
When an owner returns after being away, the cat often greets them by rubbing against their legs and sniffing them.
Cats expect daily routines with their owners
Since cats thrive on routine and predictability, they grow to expect daily patterns with their owners. They look forward to specific times for feeding, play, lap time, and sleep. Disrupting these patterns can stress some cats.
For example, a cat may pace around dinnertime if their owner is late feeding them.
Cats also respond to behavioral cues from their owners. If the owner starts getting ready for work, the cat may expect a treat or petting session before the person leaves. When the owner comes home, the cat likely anticipates playtime and attention.
These rituals help cement the bond between cat and caretaker.
Signs a Cat May Display When an Owner Dies
The loss of a beloved owner can be very distressing and disorienting for a cat. While each feline grieves differently, there are some common behaviors cats may exhibit when mourning the death of their human companion.
Searching and vocalizing
It’s not unusual for a grieving cat to wander the house crying or meowing persistently while searching for their deceased owner. This is especially common within the first few days after the owner’s passing. The cat may wait by the door or window expecting its human to return home.
Up to 65% of grieving cats exhibit searching behaviors and distress vocalizations based on a 2021 study by the ASPCA.
Changes in activity levels and appetite
Grieving cats often lose interest in play and interact less with their environment. A 2022 survey by AVMA found approximately 70% of cats ate less than normal after an owner recently passed away. With decreased activity and appetite changes, lethargy and weight loss can develop.
However, some cats may engage in attention-seeking behaviors like excessive meowing or climbing on counters to elicit a response.
Signs of depression
The deep bond between cats and their owners means grief can manifest physically and emotionally for bereaved kitties. According to a WebMD Pets article, common signs of feline depression after an owner’s death include:
- Lethargy and sleeping more than normal
- Lack of interest in toys or activities they once enjoyed
- Behavior or litter box issues
- Excessive clingy behavior, attention-seeking, or neediness
- Aggression or irritability
- Neglecting grooming and hygiene
The good news is cats are resilient creatures. While the grieving process varies for each cat, most felines adjust to a new routine and environment in time. Maintaining consistency with feeding schedules, play time, cat trees, and affection can help ease a cat’s transition.
If concerning symptoms persist beyond a month, consulting a veterinarian to rule out underlying medical issues is recommended.
Helping a Cat Cope with the Loss
Keep up routines and familiar scents
When a beloved owner passes away, it can be extremely distressing for a cat. Maintaining their normal routine as much as possible provides stability and comfort. Feed them on schedule, clean the litter box regularly, and give them access to familiar resting spots with the owner’s scent, like beds or clothing.
Diffusing calming pheromones like Feliway can also ease anxiety. Preserving familiar scents and sticking close to their usual schedules reassures them when their world feels unpredictable.
Give them extra love and attention
With their longtime companion gone, grieving cats need extra affection. Spend more one-on-one playtime together and offer gentle pets or soothing brushes more frequently. Let them sleep on or near you at night for security.
Providing steadfast gentle care demonstrates they still have someone to depend on. Consult a vet if decreased appetite, anti-social behavior, or other depressive symptoms persist longer than two weeks. Temporary anxiety medication may help ease the transition.
Consult a vet if signs of depression persist
While grieving after a major loss is natural, long-term behavioral changes in cats can signal problematic depression requiring medical care. Seek a vet’s advice if after 2 weeks your cat still shows symptoms like hiding more than usual, aggression, loss of interest in toys or food, or inappropriate urination/defecation.
Underlying illness may cause similar issues, so a full health workup is wise. Vets have alternate anxiety or anti-depressant medications to try should environmental approaches fail. Some cats benefit from synthetic feline pheromone collars (like Feliway) for sustained mood improvement.
With patience and the right support, most cats can adjust to the loss in time.
Cats May Not Always Understand What Happened
Cognitive differences between cats and humans
Cats have fundamentally different cognitive abilities and emotional capacities compared to humans. As obligate carnivores, cats are evolutionarily adapted with exceptional sensory abilities, especially sight, hearing and smell, to detect prey animals.
However, they generally have less developed regions in the brain associated with decision making, problem solving, communication and social cognition compared to humans and even dogs (source: Trends in Cognitive Sciences).
While cats can form close social bonds with their human families, they do not have the same complex understanding of relationships, death or grief. Recent studies found the cat brain is wired to recognize individual humans and respond to names, touch and emotion (source: Current Biology).
However, compared to humans who have large highly developed neocortex regions for higher cognition, cats have fewer specialized brain areas and neural networks dedicated to mental representation of others.
A cat may struggle without closure
When a cherished human suddenly disappears from a cat’s life with no explanation, the cat may persistently wait, wander restlessly searching, or vocalize plaintively showing signs of distress. These behaviors suggest cats retain strong memories and social bonds with familiar humans.
However, lacking the cognitive abilities to fully comprehend the reality and finality of death, the cat may struggle with the abrupt loss. According to feline behaviorist Mikel Delgado, cats can experience grief but not having the same rituals and social support systems as humans, a cat’s mourning process is different (source: Feline Engineering).
While cats may not cognitively understand death like humans, they can still perceive absence. As extremely habitual animals, change and disruptions to their social environment and daily routines can cause cats severe stress and anxiety.
Elderly cats especially can deteriorate rapidly from inactive depression and fail to adjust. Consulting a vet, using calming pheromone supplements, maintaining familiar environments, schedules and relationships are important in helping a bereaved cat through the mourning period.
Grieving Takes Time for Both Cats and Humans
Be patient with your cat’s adjustment
The loss of a beloved owner can be very difficult and confusing for a cat. Cats form strong bonds with their owners and thrive on routine. When their human companion suddenly disappears, it can be very destabilizing and stressful.
As social creatures, cats often mirror human emotions, so they may enter a mourning period after their owner’s death.
It’s important to be patient and allow your cat time to grieve and adjust to its new situation. Some common signs your cat is grieving include:
- Changes in appetite – loss of appetite or excessive eating
- Excessive vocalization – meowing, crying out
- Changes in sleep patterns – excessive sleep or restlessness
- Withdrawing from social interaction
- Searching behavior – looking for previous owner
To help your cat through the transition:
- Maintain its normal routine as much as possible – feeding, play time, access to favorite napping spots.
- Give extra love and affection through petting, brushing, treats.
- Use calming pheromone diffusers/sprays to reduce stress.
- Consider anti-anxiety medication if signs of grief persist.
- Be patient – cats grieve in their own way. Allow the cat to work through the loss at its own pace.
With time and consistency, most cats are able to form strong new bonds. However, each cat is unique, so monitor your pet’s health and behavior closely. Seek veterinary advice if you have concerns.
Consider adopting again when the time is right
The death of a beloved cat is heartbreaking. While nothing can truly replace your lost companion, many cat owners do choose to open their hearts and homes again. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Wait until you’ve worked through the grief process. Don’t rush into adopting as an emotional reaction.
- Consider your resident cats – are they ready for a newcomer? Introduce slowly.
- Choose a cat with a different look or personality than your previous pet.
- Shelters have adult cats desperate for homes. Offer an older cat a second chance.
- Take it slow when bringing your new cat home. Be patient as you both adjust.
While welcoming a new cat won’t replace the one you lost, it can bring joy back into your life. Opening your heart again honors your previous cat’s memory. With time and compassion, your new furry friend can help fill the void and provide comfort.
The key is to listen to yourself and your resident cats. When the grief has eased and the timing feels right, adopting again can help both you and another cat in need. But there’s no set timeframe – go at the pace that feels comfortable for you.
Conclusion
The loss of a beloved cat owner is undoubtedly traumatic for both the human family and the cat. While cats may not have the same cognitive understanding of death as humans, research suggests they do grieve the loss in their own way.
Being aware of your cat’s signs of grief and providing them extra care and routine can help them adjust. With time and patience, both cats and humans can move forward while honoring the loving bond they shared.
