Tramatized Cat?

Question
Hello,

A few months ago my 18-year old cat died of kidney failure.  Before she died my vet allowed to me to take her home to treat her on an IV as a last attempt before considering euthanization.  Unfortunately, she did not make it through the night.  When she went into cardiac arrest, I held her in my arms while sitting on my bed.  She was making a horrible crying sound so loud that my other cat ran into the room and jumped on the bed to see what was going on.  Since then my other cat refuses to sleep on the bed.  He used to curl up next to me at night and would sleep on the bed during the day.  Could he be traumatized by seeing my other cat die on the bed?  He still curls up with me on the couch but refuses to go anywhere near my bed.  Any suggestions on how I can get him to sleep on the bed with me again?  I've tried Feliway but that doesn't seem to help either.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and best regards,
Nancy

Answer
Nancy,

I'm sorry about your kitty. It's hard, I know,

Cats go by association and the other cat may associate the bed with your other cat 'disappearing'. Cats have no concept of death so it wouldn't be a logical explanation to his behavior.

I would get a new bedspread, or cover part of yours with a very soft material like velour, and spread some catnip on it. See if he reacts to that. Or give him some kitty treats on the bed (a dish of tuna, some tinned sardines in oil, etc.) to make the association of the bed a happy place to be again.

If he doesn't respond to that then it may be some reason in his mind that only he knows what it is and why. Time may correct the problem.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Tabbi