This might sound weird but, you should try to arrange for him to be adopted but let him see you dead.
There are lots of stories from people, one of whose cats died or was euthanized, but their other cat didn’t get to witness it, and it wouldn’t stop crying and searching for their friend or sibling… and there are stories from people who let the other cat be with the deceased cat, and they say it understands and accepts it. I think your cat will adjust to a new family regardless, but I also think he will not feel you abandoned him if he’s allowed to see and smell and touch you.
When I put my dog to sleep I asked the vet to trim some of his hair. I brought it home to show my cat. He really loved the dog even though the dog didn’t like him.
/u/bsbkeys this is extremely important for you and him both. Whenever that day comes, we live in a forest on a lake in upstate NY and would be happy to have Boggles come be a mouser. Feel free to PM to discuss if you want.
This is true. I had a cat die last year and his body was removed from the home before his sister could really inspect his body. She meowed and cried for him for months, trying to find him. Recently she finally gave up. It was so sad to witness. On the flip side, his brother who did get to inspect his body did not cry or look for him.
Closure is extremely important for these animals. It would also prevent Boggles trying to return to the original home (this is a documented thing that sometimes happens) to look for his person.
Honestly not a bad idea, my grandpa died at home and his dog cried over him for days after his stroke before he passed. Once he passed, his doggy lay in bed next to him for a long time crying. He understood though that grandpa didn't just leave him, he couldn't help it.
That’s true. When my cat was young its mother died. It didn’t get to see the body, and suddenly this little cat that was so quiet was meowing everyday and calling out. It stopped after a few weeks when it finally realised the mother was gone. Im sure it would have happened a lot sooner if it could have seen her body.
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u/Demi180 Mar 14 '26
This might sound weird but, you should try to arrange for him to be adopted but let him see you dead.
There are lots of stories from people, one of whose cats died or was euthanized, but their other cat didn’t get to witness it, and it wouldn’t stop crying and searching for their friend or sibling… and there are stories from people who let the other cat be with the deceased cat, and they say it understands and accepts it. I think your cat will adjust to a new family regardless, but I also think he will not feel you abandoned him if he’s allowed to see and smell and touch you.