New research suggests cats exhibit mourning behaviors when a fellow pet dies—challenging stereotypes of feline aloofness.
ROCHESTER, Mich. — Cats may grieve the loss of other household pets, including dogs, according to a study published this month in Applied Animal Behavior Science. Researchers from Oakland University found that felines displayed behavioral changes consistent with mourning after the death of an animal companion.
The study surveyed over 400 cat owners, analyzing pets’ behaviors following the death of another cat or dog in the home. Nearly half of respondents reported their cats ate less, played less frequently, or sought increased attention from owners. Other common signs included prolonged sleep, social withdrawal, and apparent searching for the deceased pet.
“It made me more optimistic that they form attachments with each other,” lead author Jennifer Vonk, a psychology professor at Oakland University, told NPR. She emphasized that the intensity of behavioral shifts correlated with factors like the pets’ shared history, bond quality, and time spent together.
Vonk challenged the perception of cats as antisocial compared to dogs, noting the findings contradict assumptions about feline emotional capacity. “We tend to think cats are aloof and not social,” she told The Sunday Times. “I think we’ve been mischaracterizing them.”
While the study relied on owner-reported observations—a limitation Vonk acknowledged—it adds to growing evidence that cats experience complex social bonds. Experts suggest providing extra attention and maintaining routines to help grieving pets adjust.
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