Newly separated cat not eating

Question
Hi there!

We recently adopted a 6yr old, female cat. We had been petsitting her and a male cat. They have been cohabitating for about a year. They were ok with each other, but the Male dominated the female, especially for attention.

We have had just the female for about 2 weeks now, and she has become very affectionate, sleeps in our bed, etc..

The thing that's scaring me, is that she doesn't seem to eat much. She'll nibble now and then, but not the whole bowl. When both cats were here we had 2 bowls and they were routinely empty! Is it possible the male was eating most of it?

Is she grieving the loss of her friend, eventhough they didn't' seem to like each other, and she's become very affectionate?

Answer
Alyssa,

Yes it sounds like separation anxiety and that she is grieving for the other cat. Why where they separated? And why can't they be together?

She is being affectionate and has a loss of appetite because she is depressed and lonely. Cats have a pecking order. That is normal for one to be dominant and the other to let them. It doesn't necessarily mean that they don't like each other.

She needs lots of attention and reassurance. Maybe another kitty friend her age and temperment. Also playing with her will take her mind off of the other cat. A pet laser light (you can get them at PetSmart, etc.) is a great interactive way to play.

Try giving her a can of wet food mixed with a can of real people tuna. And give her some Swanson's Chicken Broth. It's ok for a temporary appetite loss, but make sure she doesn't get dehydrated.

Here is a link to an article on separation anxiety: (copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1310&articleid=2372

She will come out of it. It just takes patience and love.

Tabbi