Question for Cat Owners

[awanderingbard]

Do cats living together take care of each other? Like, if one was sick or injured, would the other lay with it or try to lick its wounds or protect it or anything? Our dogs have always looked after each other, but I've never owned cats or been around cats, so I don't know if this is a reasonable scenario or not.

Inquiring writers want to know!

Comments

[joyfulfeather.livejournal.com]

That's a good question! I would think so, but I don't know for certain. I have two cats, and one frequently bathes the other. However, they don't cuddle or sleep next to each other as a general rule. I think if the cats in question were littermates, your scenario is likely. But again, I don't know for certain.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_medley_/]

One of my cats (Annie) seems to worry about the other two and nuzzle them if she thinks they're sick or hurt. Once when her sister had been to the vet without her and had blood drawn, she fussed over her when we got back, and cleaned her leg where the blood had been taken. Sophie let her do it, too, which surprised me a little. It must have been just a *little* traumatic. If things are too traumatic, Sophie wants to kill anything that comes near her until she settles down. Much to Annie's dismay.

After they were spayed (both at the same time, what was I THINKING?) Annie was all, "That was AWFUL. Snuggle me?" to the other two. Sophie was having what looked like a bad trip on painkillers and was very, "GET NEAR ME AND DIE." My older cat, Sid, hates the vet with a passion, and was therefore, "Get away from me, you horrible stinking thing." Complete with hissing and growling. Annie was SO SAD. And had to make do with human snuggles, which are not as good.

I think your fictional cats could well look after each other! Annie would certainly be willing, if her sister was more cooperative. *g* Mine tend to groom each other and nap together on normal days.

[curse-of-avalon.livejournal.com]

I had kittens and their momma at home once. A little kitten hurt itself and it seemed to be dying. Since it was hurt so bad the others did not dare go towards it. Only the momma tried feeding it, offering her belly. But the kitten could not.

When they realized that the momma laid close and watched. Only it's brother laid down with him and stayed with him.

Funny enough the next morning the little kitten was alive and even begged for food. He started walking again slowly and survived the whole thing.

So in a way they seemed to care for their pack by making sure they did not hurt him further.

While he was healing the next week they never dared play with him roughly.