My cousin’s cat (Sid) passed away several months ago. Although I live three hundred miles away and only saw them once or twice a year, my heart is broken over Sid’s death and the circumstances of his passing. Sid was a sweet cat and a wonderful companion for my cousin who lived alone after his wife died.
About four months before Sid passed, my cousin fell and suffered severe injuries, including a head injury that left him confused for months. He eventually recovered but spent almost a month in critical care and the rest of the time in a nursing home before he was able to return to his home. Unfortunately, during the time he lay on the floor unable to get up and slipping in and out of consciousness, his cat tipped over the water bowl and had only enough food for a day. After caring for his father, my cousin’s son took the cat to the vet. The vet determined that Sid was suffering from kidney failure (either caused or made worse by this recent ordeal and the severe dehydration he suffered), and it was questionable whether the cat would live. However, after two weeks in the veterinary hospital, Sid recovered.
My cousin’s son couldn’t take the cat to his house because of allergies, and he couldn’t find anyone to care for Sid for an extended period of time (although I had offered to adopt him if his father never came home). Therefore, my cousin’s son decided to take him back to his father’s house and stop in daily to feed him because he didn’t want to give his father’s cat away especially since his father might return home. Sadly, two weeks before my cousin returned home, his son found Sid curled up in his dad’s recliner chair, and he was dead.
It was a bittersweet moment for me when I heard my cousin would be able to live independently again, but he would return to a home without his best friend and companion. Although the cat may have had a limited time on earth because of his kidney disease, I can’t help feeling that Sid died of a broken heart. He probably thought that his best friend would never return. Just being fed every day (with only limited play or snuggle time) wasn’t enough to keep Sid alive.
This whole ordeal has made me think about a number of issues. First, if you live alone, make sure you have someone who is available to take care of your cat (and not just feed the cat) for an extended period. And make sure everyone knows what your plans are for that care.
Second, a cat can die of a broken heart. As I noted, I’m sure Sid had kidney problems (possibly even before this time), but he most likely would have lived longer if he would have received more than just food. Research indicates that cats bond to people and that they, too, feel grief. Although there is not enough research to show that a cat can die of a broken heart, but there is enough evidence to indicate that that grieving can adversely affect a cat’s health. According to Jennifer Coates, DVM, in an article entitled “Can Pets Die of a Broken Heart, “Stress hormones can not only adversely affect the heart but also depress the immune system and reduce appetite, all of which can not only adversely affect the heart but also depress the immune system and reduce appetite, all of which could play a role in hastening a pet’s death.”
Furthermore, a study entitled “Companion Animal Mourning Project,” conducted in 1996 by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in 1996 showed that grieving cats lose their appetites and sleep more than usual. Cats can also show signs of depression which can be triggered by a number of events including the death (or perceived death) of a pet owner. Granted my cousin didn’t die, but Sid was left alone for three and a half months and most likely assumed my cousin would never come back. The fact that he suffered from kidney failure helped expedite his demise.
All of this leads me to my third point – cats need more than food. Although we sometimes think they are independent and don’t mind spending time alone, cats need companionship. Research has shown that a pet owner can leave a cat alone for 24 hours, they really shouldn’t be left alone for any longer. Although Sid did have a daily visitor (my cousin’s son) who fed him, he did not have anyone who provided him more than a few minutes of attention a day.
Given all this, I do think Sid died of a broken heart. He had no way of knowing that my cousin would ever come back. He had food, water, and toys, but he had little companionship. All this most likely led to stress and only worsened his kidney disease. Afterall, how would you fare if you were not able to leave the house, food was delivered to your door, but you had no further contact with humans (either in person or virtually)? I’m sure you wouldn’t do well either.
Previously, I talked about making sure your pet is cared for after you pass, but I would like to urge you to think about having a plan for your pet if you need to be gone for an extended time. And the care for your pet should include a pet sitter or caretaker who is willing to spend several hours a day of quality time with your pet.
The death of my cousin’s cat Sid was a tragedy on many levels. Not only was Sid’s death hastened because of a broken heart, but my cousin lost his best friend.
Sources:
Inigo Alexander, “How Long Can Cats Be Left Along and Do They Get Lonely,” Newsweek, Feb. 24, 2022 (https://www.newsweek.com/how-long-can-cats-left-alone-get-lonely-1672566)
Lynn Buzhardt, DVM, “Do Cats Mourn?” https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/do-cats-mourn#:~:text=They%20also%20get%20angry%20and,And%20they%20do%20indeed%20mourn
Bethney Foster, “Can Cats Have Broken Hearts?” The Nest, https://pets.thenest.com/can-cats-broken-hearts-8081.html.
Jennifer Coates, DVM, “Can Pets Die of a Broken Heart?” https://www.petmd.com/news/view/can-pets-die-broken-heart-36552
Dr. Wendy Hauser, “What to Know About Mental Health Care and Cats,” https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/cat-depression/
“How Long Can You Safely Leave a Cat Alone?” https://www.mypet.com/basic-pet-care/how-long-can-you-safely-leave-a-cat-alone.aspx
Emma Singer, “How Long Can You Leave a Cat Along? (Hint: Not As Long As You Think), https://www.purewow.com/family/how-long-can-you-leave-a-cat-alone, Dec. 27, 2021.
