How long should I leave it before getting another cat?

Question

My young kitten of 9 months died about 3 weeks ago from wet fip. Has anybody experienced this virus in their cat, I have another cat and want to get him another playmate. Has anyone else experienced this and how long was it before getting a new kitten?

Answer 1

http://www.dr-addie.com/Prevention/PreventionS1.htm#How%20to%20eliminate%20FCoV%20infection%20from%20a%20cattery

Answer 2

As long or as little as you feel you need to get over the death of such a small cat. Some people say jump right in but I know for others it's almost like "desiccating the grave" getting a new cat or kitten so soon. I would get one straight away as I wouldn't want the other kitten to go too long without a playmate but I think, if you haven't already, that if possible you should get the surviving kitten checked out for the disease. Then go ahead and get a beautiful new one.

Answer 3

I'm very sorry you lost your kitten. It's very different for everyone. I had a dog who was my canine soul mate. I got another dog very soon after I lost her, and it wasn't because I didn't love my dog with all my heart. I think it was because I dreaded her death so much and agonized so much over when to put her down, that I actually did some of my grieving before I lost her. As long as you know you can't replace your baby, then you should get another one whenever you feel comfortable doing so. For what it's worth, shy black cats and kittens are always the last to be adopted, even though there's nothing wrong with them. Good luck to you. You sound like a really kind soul, and I wish you the best. Your kitten was lucky to have you.

Answer 4

I have not had a cat who died from FIP and have talked to a number of people whose kitten has died from this when they came seeking another cat for adoption.

If you go to: www.littlebigcat.com Dr. Jean Hovfe has an article about FIP in her newsletter archives. The article is in Volume 4, #4 for May 2006.

Answer 5

Ask your vet about how long any of the virus could remain. Sterilize or get rid of bowls, etc.
That should answer the non emotional aspect. How soon you feel ready for another kitten, is up to you. Some people want an immediate replacement, others need time to grieve and move past the loss. Only you can make that decision.
I am truly sorry for your loss - I had my 11 year old cat die suddenly about a month ago - I know the pain.
Take the time you need - give attention and love to your kitty, she/he is grieving too. When the time comes, please consider rescuing a shelter kitty.

Answer 6

i had a cat that was about a year old or more and she died from an unknown cause but none the less heartbreaking for me. my husband tried to fix it by comforting me and all but it wasnt enough so the next day i had gone and got a new kitten that is now going on a year and a alf years old and has had 2 litters already. yes to some the day after is to soon but to others its not. i wasnt looking to replace her i was looking to let her memory live on in a bond i made with the new cat.
seeing as its been 3 weeks i think you are ok on getting a new kitten or cat.
good luck and im sorry about your loss

Answer 7

Sorry to hear about your kitten, no i havent heard of `wet fip`
My mother in-law loves cats, and every time her cat died, she`d always be really upset and say "Thats it, no more cats!"
But within a couple of weeks she would go and get another.
So really, if your ready for another, Why not go and get one whenever you like.

Answer 8

Cats infected with the FIP virus shed the corona virus in their saliva and in their feces. Most cats become infected by inhaling or ingesting the virus, either by direct contact with an infected cat, or by contact with virus-contaminated surfaces such as clothing, bedding, toys or food/water dishes.


The FIP virus is rapidly inactivated by most household detergents and disinfectants, although without using these chemicals the virus can survive for a number of weeks in the environment. A recommended solution for killing the FIP virus on surfaces is one part of household bleach in thirty-two parts of water (which is 4 ounces of bleach per gallon of water.)

Before getting a new cat you should make sure that all surfaces in your house are cleaned thoroughly. Not just the floors but the walls, the chairs, the counters the cabinets. Once the virus in in your house you need to basically bleach it out. Once everything is cleaned wait at least 1 week for the bleach smell to subside (remember cats sense of smell is better than ours) before you get a new cat.

Answer 9

Sorry to hear about your kitten. Get a new cat as soon as you want. I wouldn't leave it too long though else your other cat will get too used to being on it's own and will hate a new cat coming into the house, Good luck and happy cat hunting!

Answer 10

I would get another cat sooner rather than later, the longer you leave it, the more the other cat will get used to being alone, and therefore less welcoming of other cats. We considered getting another cat when one of ours died, but now theres no way we would do it because he likes to have all the attention, and doesn't want other cats to invade his territory.

Answer 11

Don't get another one. You should be ashamed of yourself in the first place for giving a home to the most cunning, self-centered, arrogant, snooty and heartless creature of the animal kingdom. I am the most friendly person to flora and fauna in the world, but I would certainly kick a cat. Oh and a magpie.
Get a Rottweiler - he will exterminate your remaining cat rather quickly.