Dealing with Grief from losing an indoor-outdoor cat from antifreeze poisoning

Our question this week was:

Just this last weekend I had to put my sweet kitty down due to antifreeze poisoning. I did try the treatments but it was to late, I was devastated and still am. I will never again have a indoor outdoor kitty.

My question is…how do I get pass these awful feelings.

Sincerely,

Pam Sagardia

Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. I’m so sorry for your loss. I was talking to our managing editor, Debra Primovic recently about her loosing a cat she had. She volunteered to answer your question.

Hi Pam, I’m so sorry to hear about your kitty. Losing a special cat can be so very difficult. No one knows unless they have gone through it. I lost my first cat (I got her when I was in vet school) about 10 years ago and I still think about her. It was a year later and I could still come to tears in seconds after thinking about her. I’d cry if I saw a cat that looked like her. I’d cry if I thought about her.

I guess what I’m trying to say is what you are feeling is very normal. I know it is painful and it is hard but it will get better. As far as how do you deal with it…everyone is different.

Some people decide to try to give back. You could donate some time to your local shelter. Even writing this email may teach someone else that antifreeze is bad for cats and it may save another cats life or encourage someone from letting there cat out.

Talking to someone can also help. There are several support organizations that I’ll give you below.