Research findings: Cats also grieve after death
Although cats are known in many parts of the world as indifferent, ungrateful, and spoiled, a new study shatters these prejudices. The research revealed that cats mourn for a long time following the death of an animal or human they lived with in the same home.
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Although cats are often perceived as ungrateful, the results of a new study refute this common belief. According to reports from US researchers, cats show signs of grief for a long time even after the death of another animal in the same household.
According to the report in The Guardian, some cats had difficulty sleeping after the loss, while others stopped eating their food, and some began to meow "plaintively." The team conducting the study suggests that these findings may be a reflection of the psychological experience in cats.
On the other hand, the study concluded that instead of sleeping, eating, or playing, cats spent more time seeking attention from humans and other pets, spending time with them, and searching for their "lost" companions.
"COMPLEX" BEHAVIORS CAN BE EXHIBITED
Furthermore, it is known that not only cats but various animals have mourning customs. For example, elephants, dolphins, and chimpanzees can exhibit "complex" behaviors to protect the lifeless body of an animal friend after its death. A recent study conducted by Italian researchers also revealed that a "grief" ritual exists in dogs as well. Accordingly, when a dog dies in a home, behavioral changes are observed in the movements of the other dog.
The study noted that cats are more deeply affected the longer they have lived with their pet companions, but that witnessing the death and the number of pets in the home had no effect.