older cat

Question
I had two cats, aged 18. The male just recently died. The female ( both were feral) and I were never close. But, now we're bonding. Why does she get up and meow ...cry during the night out in the hallway? I'm becoming sleep deprived.
She did not do this when the male was alive.

Answer
Missy,

I'm sorry about your your, and your kitty's loss of her kitty friend.

I would say she is suffering from a combination of Separation Anxiety, depression, and that she is grieving. You need to snap her out of it if possible because it can lead to obsessive/complusive behaviors like pulling out their fur, etc. Grieving can last up to 6 months. Give her lots of extra love and attention, and kitty treats.

Cats do not recognize death. She just knows her friend is not there and she is looking for him and crying for him. She is turning to you because she is confused and alone. Reassure her.

Your cat at 18 is approximately 88 years old in human years. They do not take stress and grief as well as a younger cat. Be patient and understanding with her. Someday soon you may wish she were still here depriving you of sleep. Give her love and security while you still can.

She may also be crying because she is deaf and/or blind. Some cats that are in a familiar area you can't tell. You should take her for an "older cat checkup" by a vet that specializes in geriatric cat cat (not all do). He can also give her something like kitty Prozac to calm her.

Here is an article on cat grief that may be helpful:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar)

http://www.messybeast.com/cat-grief.htm

I hope this helped.

Tabbi