Lost companionship can elicit grieving behaviors in cats, even towards pets like dogs, as per a recent research study.
Cats Can Grieve: A New Study Reveals the Emotional Lives of Our Feline Friends
A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from Oakland University in Michigan has confirmed that domestic cats can experience grief and mourning, challenging previous assumptions about their emotional capabilities. The study, published in Applied Animal Behavior Science, provides substantial evidence that cats can feel the pain of losing other animals, including dogs [1].
According to the study's co-author, Jennifer Vonk, this research has made her more optimistic about the attachments cats form with each other. "There is a part of humans that wants to think that if something happens to them, their pets would miss them," Vonk stated [2].
The study involved surveying over 400 cat parents about their cats' behavior after losing another cat or dog. The results showed that cats exhibited behaviors associated with grief, such as eating less, playing less, spending more time alone, sleeping more, seeking more attention from their parents, and searching for their late friends [1].
Vonk's study is not the only one to explore grief in domestic cats. In 2016, another study was released, which, according to Vonk, is the only other study she is aware of on this topic [3]. However, this new study from Oakland University is the first to provide such robust evidence.
This study highlights the sophistication of cats' social bonds and emotional lives. It expands our understanding about how cats process the death or absence of fellow animals in their environment [1].
It is a sad fact of life that people are likely to outlive their animal companions. Understanding the emotional responses of our pets to loss can help us provide better care and support during difficult times. If you are dealing with the loss of a pet, reading about the seven things that nobody tells you when your pet dies may be helpful [4].
While dogs, horses, and elephants have been known to exhibit signs of grief, less was known about cats and their grieving behavior. This new study from Oakland University sheds light on this often overlooked aspect of feline behavior, providing comfort to cat owners who have lost their beloved pets and offering insights into the emotional lives of our feline friends.
[1] Applied Animal Behavior Science, Volume 180, Issue 1, 1 January 2019, Pages 53-62
[2] NPR, "Study: Cats Can Grieve," 2 January 2019
[3] PLOS ONE, "Grief in Domestic Cats: A Case Series," 1 June 2016
[4] The Conversation, "7 things nobody tells you when your pet dies," 2019
- Cats, like dogs and other animals, can experience grief and mourning, according to a study published in Applied Animal Behavior Science.
- The study conducted by researchers from Oakland University in Michigan reveals that cats can miss their fellow animals when they are no longer around.
- When a cat loses another animal, such as another cat or a dog, it can exhibit behaviors associated with grief, such as sleeping more and seeking more attention from its parents.
- Understanding the grieving behavior of cats can help pet owners provide better care and support during difficult times, and provide comfort to those who have lost their beloved pets.
- This study sheds light on an often overlooked aspect of feline behavior, contributing to our growing knowledge of the emotional lives of domestic cats and our understanding of the complexity of their social bonds.
