Do Cats Grieve The Death Of Fellow Pets? Research Says This (image/pixabay)

Popularly believed to be selfish or unfeeling, cats are generally considered to not be as emotionally attached to their owners as other pets. However, a recent study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that the feline creatures may actually experience grief when another pet in the same household dies.

A research group from Oakland University conducted a survey of 412 pet owners who lost a pet cat or dog but still had one cat in their home. Based on the research, cats appeared to show common signs of grief.

Read Also: Animals Of Mundakkai, Chooralmala: What Happened To Them?

While some cats lost their appetite, struggled to fall asleep, and made more mewing sounds than usual, others became more needy or went off their favourite games, according to the study.

“They [cats] engaged less in sleeping, eating, and playing but more in seeking attention from humans and other pets, hiding, spending time alone, and appearing to look for their lost companions,” stated the study.

Interestingly, such reactions of grief occurred even when the fellow dead pet was a dog. The study suggests that contrary to the popular belief of cats being antisocial, they may actually form deeper connections than usually perceived.

Further, the findings of the study also argue that the psychological experience of loss might be universal.

Read Also: JD Vance Faces Backlash From Taylor Swift Fans For His Old “Childless Cat Ladies” Comment

Grieving or mourning is a common phenomenon in the animal kingdom. Elephants, chimpanzees, and dolphins have been observed to, for instance, perform behaviours such as guarding the body of a companion after death.

However, the Oakland University research stated that it was less obvious that cats would display signs of grief and bereavement.