Cats Grieve Deaths Of Fellow Companion Animals, Study Finds

A recent study has found that cats grieve the deaths of other animals in their households, including dogs. The research, published in the Applied Animal Behaviour Science journal, observed 452 homes with cats who had recently experienced the loss of a companion animal. The study found that some cats displayed grief-like behaviors such as changes in eating habits, yowling noises, and difficulty sleeping following the loss.

Cats are often perceived as independent and aloof animals, but these findings suggest that they may have stronger bonds with their companions than previously believed. The researchers noted that the time spent together engaging in daily activities predicted greater grief-like behaviors, while positive relationships between the surviving and deceased animals led to decreases in certain behaviors. This study adds to a growing body of research that has uncovered grief in various non-human animal species, highlighting the need for further research on the topic of cat grieving.