Losing a Cat, and How to Move Forward Again

Losing a cat may be one of the hardest things you ever face other than losing a family member or friend, especially if you have had your cat for years. While cats aren’t usually as faithful and dedicated to you as a dog, they are still unique in their own special way. When they are kittens, there is nothing more cute or cuddly; as they grow, they develop a personality all their own. Cats can be funny to watch, as they stalk anything that moves or “hide” behind something, thinking they are invisible. Losing a cat is sad; you go through a grieving process, cry, think you are finally over it and then cry again when you discover a favorite play thing while cleaning the house. It hurts your heart, and you vow that you will never have another because there isn’t a cat in the world that would be so special or loved.
While your friends or co-workers may think you are just being silly, losing a cat sparks the same emotions as any loss. To you, your pet was a “member” of the family, and although people may tell you it was just an animal and to get over it, the pain is real, both physically and mentally. How can you get past the loss of a cat that held your heart, that you really loved? Here are a few things you can do to help move the healing process along:
Let yourself cry. By holding it inside, your grief is actually pent up. Crying allows you to release those pent up emotions.
Talk it through with your family. Sometimes, grown ups are afraid to talk about pet loss with the younger members of the family. They feel that it’s best not to bring up a sad subject to the kids, in fear of making them even more sad and upset. It’s actually good for the entire family to talk about the loss, how each person feels – it is a good coping mechanism.
Try to focus on the other beautiful aspects of life, instead of placing all of your energy on the loss of your pet. Look around and think about all of the things you still have to be thankful for, of those things you can appreciate.
Create a memorial to your cat. This may be a photo album, or an area outside where you buried your pet. By collecting photos and putting them in a special album, you can reflect on all of the good times and even laugh at some of the shenanigans your cat got in to.
Don’t completely discard the notion of getting another cat. Frequently, after losing a cat, people swear off the idea of replacing him/her. While it is true that no other cat will be the same as or have the personality Fluffy had, they are all unique – and they all need a good home where they will feel loved. You would feel especially blessed by taking in a cat from the shelter, one that may be facing euphanasia if not placed in a home.
Think about it this way; your cat would want you to be happy, and to move forward with your life. Losing a cat or dog is painful, heart breaking, and the grief is real; allow yourself to feel the pain and sorrow, so that you can move on to happier days.