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cat paranoia
i didn't know which catagory this would fit in.. but i have this major problem about worrying about my cat. here is the story:
i had another cat some years back and she was injured by a speeding car one night while i was out. She was turned in the emergency room in critical condition with life-threatening conditions such as blindness, and jaw deformation.
my family and i decided to put her to sleep, and later on (two years later) i got a new cat. i made her an indoor cat so nothing would really happen to her. however, i always get bad visions of my cat dying in her sleep, like Sudden kitten death syndrome (Like SIDS) and there have been times I woke up seeing my cat not move at all, and I got terrified, and tried waking her up and she did. I always freak out when she is laying next to me or somewhere else. I always get worried she'll die and I get so scared so much that I feel like it's sending me into major paranoia.
I love my cat so much and it would break my heart if something ever happened to her, which is probably why I get like that. But I am still a little confused why I keep feeling that way, and I would like to know. I would also like advice on how to treat this problem so I would feel a bit more ease.
thanks in advance
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You probably have some misplaced guilt issues over the fact that you were out at the time of the accident. We all feel that there could have been something we could/should have done in times of tragedy, but most of the time it just isn't possible.
It's understandable in the circumstances that you feel the need to check she is ok. A few years ago, one of our cats had an embolism right in front of me and died within a minute. I still feel guilty that perhaps I could have done something, ( I know I couldn't have though). Even now, I sometimes find myself checking the other animals are still breathing if they are in a deep sleep. They can't tell you how they feel so you have to guess.
Why don't you take her to a vet and get her thoroughly checked over? That way, you can reassure yourself that she is fine and it may help you to relax a little. Talking to the vet about your concerns may also help. They may be able to give you some pointers on what ill health signs to look for in her.
Just try to stay calm about her. Being an indoor cat greatly reduces her chances of picking up any of the diseases and avoiding the accidents that normally affect cats.
It sounds as though you are quite sensitive, and loving your cat as you do makes thoughts of losing her all the harder to bear. However, consider this, when she has finally gone, (hopefully not for many years), do you want to look back at your life together with joy and happiness at a shared love and knowing that you have done everything you can to make her happy, or in worry and guilt that your feelings got in the way of making and keeping those memories? It's really hard to change your mind set but if you can, you will feel a lot better and your cat will benefit as well.
Hope that helps and good luck.
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well it's normal to feel this way because my cats are both outdoor and indoor and one of my cats got run over. From then on at night when I call my cats to come inside I get really scared if one doesn't show up and I start thinking of all the horrible things that could've happened to them. Try not to worry so much and if something does happen you just got to believe that they're in a better place. It will take a while to get over but it just takes time...I'm still paranoid about something happening to my cats..so don't feel alone.
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It sounds like you're going insane.
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well after long internet research there has been no cases of (SIDS)in cats, but if your cat is under 10 chances are that it wont be dying soon i understand that you love your cat i have a cat and i constantly freak out when her ribs stop going up and down (while breathing) for a second but if she doesnt go out and 90% of cat death are caused whilst outside so youve already given her a a massive advantage
but on the whole you can't really do anything animals die but when they do its the right time but for the moment just relax and enjoy the time with her
hope i helped
need any more email sammygamy@hotmail.com
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While this might seem a tad extreme, I dont think this is abnormal. This isn't at all unusual with parents, particularly parents who have lost 1 child and still have others to worry about. And the fact that you have this strong of an emotional bond with the cat I think only goes to explain why you feel this way.
I also imagine that you may have some guilt from your last cat even if you don't conciously realize it (people feel guilty and wonder if they could have prevented a sad or traumatic occurence), and some fear for your new cat could be attributed to this as well.
Usually I wouldn't worry so much about it, but if you are really fixating on this a lot you might want to see a therapist. Particularly if you have recurring dreams/nightmares, or if you are worrying about this far too often during the day. Anyone with experience as a therapist would be far better equipped to go any further into this with you.
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