Hi everyone,
9 months ago I started fostering a bonded pair of senior cats. Endora was 15 and Ruckus was 13 and they came from the same household. They were in palliative care because Endora had health issues. 3 months ago, Endora passed away (RIP my lovely gal) and Ruckus became adoptable, so I adopted him (
).
Ruckus has become more clingy since Endora's passing. He’s always been an affectionate cat who loves sleeping in my lap, but when Endora was still around, during the day he mostly slept near where she slept (for example in the same bed), though NOT right next to each other, and other times in my lap. After Endora was gone he slept in my lap all the time, although this has gotten better lately; lately he sleeps next to me more than on me. He still follows me around all the time, a little bit more so than before.
So there's definitely a behavioural change in Ruckus since Endora's passing, yet they were never that lovey-dovey before. Before, Endora and Ruckus never played together much, probably because Endora had health issues and just lay around most of the time. They also liked different toys, so playtime was me playing with Ruckus with Da Bird, and me playing with Endora with the rainbow cat charmer.
Besides physically being in the same vicinity, the only other interactions they had were that a couple of times a day, Ruckus would lick Endora in a show of dominance (more often than a show of affection) which then led to a play fight, and sometimes it'd turn more serious (ears pinned back) and I'd break up the fight.
Anyway, I can’t tell if Ruckus is lonely and his life can be improved if I introduce another senior kitty, or if he’s just getting old as well as till going through the grieving period, and thus doesn’t need the stress of being introduced to a new cat.
Any thoughts and suggestions? Maybe I can temporarily foster a senior cat and see how it plays out?
9 months ago I started fostering a bonded pair of senior cats. Endora was 15 and Ruckus was 13 and they came from the same household. They were in palliative care because Endora had health issues. 3 months ago, Endora passed away (RIP my lovely gal) and Ruckus became adoptable, so I adopted him (
).Ruckus has become more clingy since Endora's passing. He’s always been an affectionate cat who loves sleeping in my lap, but when Endora was still around, during the day he mostly slept near where she slept (for example in the same bed), though NOT right next to each other, and other times in my lap. After Endora was gone he slept in my lap all the time, although this has gotten better lately; lately he sleeps next to me more than on me. He still follows me around all the time, a little bit more so than before.
So there's definitely a behavioural change in Ruckus since Endora's passing, yet they were never that lovey-dovey before. Before, Endora and Ruckus never played together much, probably because Endora had health issues and just lay around most of the time. They also liked different toys, so playtime was me playing with Ruckus with Da Bird, and me playing with Endora with the rainbow cat charmer.
Besides physically being in the same vicinity, the only other interactions they had were that a couple of times a day, Ruckus would lick Endora in a show of dominance (more often than a show of affection) which then led to a play fight, and sometimes it'd turn more serious (ears pinned back) and I'd break up the fight.
Anyway, I can’t tell if Ruckus is lonely and his life can be improved if I introduce another senior kitty, or if he’s just getting old as well as till going through the grieving period, and thus doesn’t need the stress of being introduced to a new cat.
Any thoughts and suggestions? Maybe I can temporarily foster a senior cat and see how it plays out?
