A Kitten for A 14-Year-Old Cat? - Carole Wilbourn
Carole Wilbourn, The Cat Therapist, has been the leading voice in feline therapy for over 5 decades. She has helped thousands of cat moms and dads explore, face, and resolve cat behavioral and health issues. Carole is truly the most trusted Cat Therapist in the United States.
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24 Sep A Kitten for A 14-Year-Old Cat?

Posted at 01:09h in Blog by
Pessa so comfy on the bed

Does My Fourteen-Year-Old Cat Want A New Companion?
(Grief Therapy, Separation Angst, Kitten Adoption)
“Pessa doesn’t appear grief-stricken. Yet, she shadows me in and about the house. I’d be happy to adopt a kitten for her. What’s your take?” said Janis.
Dr. Ann Lucas of Washington Square Animal Hospital referred me to you.“

Tati, Pessa’s brother and litter mate

Pessa’s Companionship
She went on to say that 14-year-old Pessa’s bro and litter mate Tati passed on four days ago. He was the mover and shaker of the duo. When I asked if they groomed each other, curled up together, Janis’s reply was that although they weren’t BFF, they had a compatible relationship.
Because Pessa was a senior cat— early geriatric— she even thought two kittens might be the answer. The kittens could provide entertainment for Pessa if she didn’t want to play. That said, she wanted to be sure of Pessa’s needs before she made a decision.

As Pessa sampled the nip and toys I gifted, my feeling was that she knew how to divert herself from her loss and surely sensed Tati’s demise long before the actual day. A cat is an instinctual medical detective. Pessa’s relationship with her bro Tati wasn’t a very intimate one.

Hazel, Pessa’s Pit-bull playmate

Visits From Hazel Pit Bull
Janis mentioned that Pessa had periodic visits from Hazel, a neighbor’s senior dog. Whereas, Pessa hung out with her and often gave her the velvet paw if Hazel displeased her, Tati kept a low profile.

Diagnosis
By the end of Pessa’s session, she didn’t exhibit any signs of conspicuous grief. I instructed Janis to continue to observe Pessa’s daily behavior and biological habits. She should be in touch with any questionable changes. As for now, there was no rush to adopt a companion. Pessa seemed to be pleased with her one-on-one relationship with Janis.

Recommendations
A few of my recommendations were to arrange frequent play dates with Hazel, give Pessa a daily brushing, often tell her what a pretty, happy cat she was and continue to play the relaxation music from her session to soothe her spirits.

Several days after Pessa’s session, I received the following email from Janis:
“Pessa is very lively these days. She yells at me when she is downstairs and wonders where I am. When I respond, she rushes up the stairs into my study and flops herself down. She sleeps on my bed and seems quite happy to be the queen of the house. Her appetite is good. I am deferring the idea of getting two kittens which would rock the boat at this time. She is not into catnip, but if I dust a toy with it she rolls around for a while. That’s all the Pessa news for now.”

As, I readjusted my mask and bicycled home, I thought how Pessa clearly appears to currently thrive as the solo cat. She’s very woke to the benefits of Janis’ undivided attention and affection— especially during this stressful pandemic crisis.
(Additional Info — An Intervention For Cindy Lou’s New Relationship, A Kitten Introduction, 12-year-old Maisie Gives Nod To New Kitten)

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