A question for the Cat Lovers (only!)
Discussion
How soon do I get a new kitten to help my cat get over the loss of her brother? As she has been screaming the house down 24/7 since Friday night 
I know she needs time to grieve (as do we) but wonder if getting a new play mate for her will help, or if we should leave it longer.
Their Mother is pregnant, and we can have first pick, but that is 4 months before the new one can come home. I'm happy with this (being of the give her time to calm down opinion), however Paul is thinking we should get one sooner (being of the jump straight back in the saddle opinion), and if I don't get some sensible advice (ie not mine!
) I think I may end up coming home from work to find a kitten.
I know she needs time to grieve (as do we) but wonder if getting a new play mate for her will help, or if we should leave it longer.
Their Mother is pregnant, and we can have first pick, but that is 4 months before the new one can come home. I'm happy with this (being of the give her time to calm down opinion), however Paul is thinking we should get one sooner (being of the jump straight back in the saddle opinion), and if I don't get some sensible advice (ie not mine!
) I think I may end up coming home from work to find a kitten.For the non cat lovers I hope that I have made it clear enough in the thread title what this thread is about, please do not bother to reply even if you have wasted your time reading it!
PhantomHumper said:
I am not a cat lover(
) but I reckon you should wait a while as the kitten is going to need alot of attention and doubt the cat will like that very much.
) but I reckon you should wait a while as the kitten is going to need alot of attention and doubt the cat will like that very much. Now you see, that is my theory too 'cause she needs a lot of attention at the moment and we can't lavish it on her and a kitten at the same time! I think your option is the most sensible here! Your house will still be full of the 'scent' of your old cat, and your other one is still clearly missing it, so to plonk some unknown moggy into the mix will be confusing to say the least.
Wait the four months, let your cat get over her loss, then get a kitten from the mother, although introduce them to each other for short periods at first. They'll be half-brothers/sisters, so hopefully the bonding process will not involve too much fur or claws!
Wait the four months, let your cat get over her loss, then get a kitten from the mother, although introduce them to each other for short periods at first. They'll be half-brothers/sisters, so hopefully the bonding process will not involve too much fur or claws!
tim2100 said:
I would go with one ASAP.
The new arrival will take yours and other cats mind off what is missing.
ASAP.The new arrival will take yours and other cats mind off what is missing.
I got a new cat end of april after my lad Buster was hit by a car at the end of march. Neko(Busters sister) took to him pretty quickly and they are good mates now, sleep next to each other, clean each other etc.
Taffer said:
Wait the four months, let your cat get over her loss, then get a kitten from the mother, although introduce them to each other for short periods at first. They'll be half-brothers/sisters, so hopefully the bonding process will not involve too much fur or claws!
This, in my opinion. TVR Moneypit said:
How is your current cat? Is it off it's food? What does it do if you give it some loving?
Current cat is exceedingly unhappy, screaming the house down as only a part Siamese can Very restless, won't stay still longer than about 20 minutes (and only then when she has worn herself out)
Is eating (now) but we are only feeding her 'treats' (tune/meat) but leaves 1/2 of it initially (she and her brother always shared a plate).
She is quiet when being fussed, initially. Then walks off yowling
Chilli said:
350GT said:
I'd go for it now... The sooner the better I would imagine. Plus, it might make it easier for her to bond with the kitten.
I'd agree, give te cat something else to think about. Are you at home during the day or both out at work?Part of the reason I want to wait, I don't want her more distressed, but at the same time, if if will calm her down...
I'm at work, Paul is at home at the moment (but not sure for how long, waiting for signatures on contracts).
ali_kat said:
She doesn't like 'other' cats, she hisses at next doors.
If you wait or if you dont you can expect her to hiss at any newcomer for at least a couple of weeks. Neko did when Ben arrived, it was a blessing that he kept cool as a cucumber throughout and didn't rise to it.She was clearly interested in him when he arrived, she would go up to him and sniff around him, but as soon as he made eye contact she would hiss and back off.
Like I said tho, this only lasted a couple of weeks, and now over two months on you wouldnt know they weren't from the same litter.
Wouldn't that distress her even more?How about you to the cats protection and look for one a similar age? Does not have to be a kitten and plenty of older ones need a home as well. I think the cat protection will allow a try out? Someone correct me here, or take back if they do not get on with existing ones. Won't happen overnight though. Need a house visit and all that.
We lost one of ours a good few years ago now - the 2 were best mates and would always cuddle up together and follow each other round. When the little one was hit and squished the other went into bad depression, off his food, constant meowing, lost loads of weight. The vet told us he was depressed and we really should consider getting 2nd cat after a while but first of all ensuring the house was cleaned as much as possible to rid the scent of the one that died.
After 4 weeks we got another, similar age, as soon as we got him home our depressed cat seemed to come out his shell, started eating again and wanting fuss. After 10 years together they still hate each others guts but if one goes walkabout they instantly start pacing and going off their food again.
After 4 weeks we got another, similar age, as soon as we got him home our depressed cat seemed to come out his shell, started eating again and wanting fuss. After 10 years together they still hate each others guts but if one goes walkabout they instantly start pacing and going off their food again.
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