Grieving owner welcomes a new cat after losing her beloved pet— but its unexpected daily ritual leaves her stunned

What’s unusual is that the new cat had never met the older one, who died months ago.

PUBLISHED 3 HOURS AGO

(L) A woman smiling with her pet cat. (R) A cat sitting near a grave. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) evrymmnt, (R) mimi van praagh)

A TikTok user shared a clip online showing a surprising daily ritual involving a new cat and the resting place of a beloved pet that had passed away, moving viewers to tears. The short video posted on May 25, 2025, captured many quiet moments that felt both emotional and mysterious, prompting discussions about how animals respond to grief in a shared home. The clip showed that even a new arrival in the family can sense an atmosphere shaped by memories, sadness, and human attachment, leading to reactions that no one fully expected.

Smiling woman in checked shirt hugging and embracing ginger cat - Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Dima Berlin — Smiling woman in checked shirt hugging and embracing ginger cat. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Dima Berlin)

According to Newsweek, the video came from a TikTok user with the handle @drisaaa1508, whose older cat had died months earlier. In the clip, the family’s new gray cat is seen sitting beside the small memorial set up outdoors, which includes a concrete slab and a cat statue. The onscreen text read, "My old cat died. Now my new cat spends every day at her grave. I think she feels she's still there.” Experts told the outlet that cats, like humans, can experience emotional shifts influenced by their environment and relationships.

Cat sitting on a stone. (Representative Image Source: Unsplash | Parastoo Gheisari)

Calm coach for pets, Liz Clifton, said that sharing calm space with a grieving pet can support them gently as they adjust. She also explained that cats sometimes reflect the emotions of the people around them, so owners should be aware of their own feelings when offering comfort. A 2024 study from Oakland University found that owners who were strongly affected by the loss of a pet were also more likely to notice grieving behaviors in surviving cats, suggesting that human emotions may shape how these situations are interpreted.

A woman is mourning the loss of a loved one. (Representative Image Courtesy Pexels | RDNE Stock project)

The study surveyed more than 400 cat owners and found that many noticed changes such as reduced playfulness, altered sleeping patterns, and noticeably increased clinginess or fearfulness when pets had once shared a close bond. Yet what makes the viral video unusual is that the new cat had never met the older one, according to comments under the post. Viewers left many theories, with some recounting personal stories of pets showing unexpected sensitivity after a loss. Others believed the cat was responding to scents, routine, or the emotions of the household. @saintpickle05 recalled, "My cat died, and his twin brother and the neighbor's cat used to visit him every day." @dayanatrumpy wrote, "They definitely know, my cats do the same over my other cat that passed away two months ago."

@drisaaa1508 😭🥹🥹🥹🥹♥️#cat #cat #fyp #missyou ♬ The Winner Is... Version - DeVotchKa

While @aphroditesrosechicago mentioned, "My cat didn’t eat for two days when my other cat passed away. The heartbreak is real." Animals have their own way of grieving when another furry companion passes away. In another similar incident, a dog named Dani was seen circling around photos of her late canine friend, as if trying to stay close to the memory of the one she lost. With slow steps and sad eyes, she appeared to be quietly speaking to the pictures on the wall. Her owner later explained that the bed nearby was the same spot where the late dog used to rest, making the moment even more touching and heartfelt.

For more heartwarming cat content, follow @drisaaa1508 on TikTok.