Adult Pet Owner's only please..?

Question

How long after the loss of a pet is it common to get a new one? I just lost a cat, and I'm devastated.

Answer 1

awww.. im sorry to hear that :(

after losing one of my cats a while back, i felt like i didnt want to get a new one, because i didnt want to feel like i was replacing it.

but then i thought to myself, everytime i take in a new cat or kitten, i am saving a life, and giving it a good home.

its up to you when you feel ready to move on (but of course, not forget..) and keep in mind - although your beloved kitty has passed, you have the oppurtunity to give another one a very happy life. :)

Answer 2

Whatever you decide, don't be ashamed to grieve for your cat. The loss of a pet can be devestating, and given the intense emotional bond that forms between people and animals, it's perfectly understandable. That said, I'd advise you to take some time, at least a few days, but even a few weeks or months if you need to, to get over the initial shock before you go making a decision that will affect your life for the next 10-20 years. America's animal shelters are literally full beyond capacity with unwanted cats, so make sure that it isn't a decision you take lightly. Then when you are ready, you can adopt one of those cats and feel good about saving a life!

Answer 3

I had 2 cats- one died in 2001 at 18 and the other died in 2003 at 15. I originally intended to wait about 7 months and get one at the end of 2003..... but time passed and it hasn't happened yet. It became sort of a relief not to have the responsibility and expenses of pet ownership, especially since my cats were old towards the end and had health issues and it became costly. It's been 3 yrs since Minnie died, and while I miss her, and the other cat Mickey, I am still content to be pet free for now. So I say give
yourself time to grieve, and think about it as a new pet, new friend, and not just a replacement for your othere cat. Good luck, and sorry to hear about your cat.

Answer 4

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Fortunately, I have not lost a cat since I was 9 years old (my first kitty) and I made my mom immediately go to the store and get us a new one. As an adult, I think it is important to mourn and accept your loss although you will probably never get over it. I would give it a couple of weeks but whatever is going to make you feel better is what you should do. Good luck and take care.

Answer 5

I had two golden retrievers. One passed away on August 3rd, 2001. We still had his mom. We got another dog around the end of August 2004. And then our other golden passed away April 2005. I would have gone out that same month and got another dog because I think that it would have helped me cope. But since I still live with my parents they wouldnt let me. But you know that your cat will never be able to be replaced. You will feel ready. After my golden died in 2005 about 1 month after a stray pregnant calico cat adopted us. She acts just like my dog. We think that she is reincarnated into the cat. I was going through some problems during the time my dog passed away in 2005 and I think she came back because as the cat because I was in the middle of things and that dog was like my best friend. Good Luck and im so sorry about your loss.

Answer 6

I think we all go through that 'not again' feeling over the loss of a pet. It's like any loss. But somewhere out there is a pet with no home, whose life you can save. And who will be the luckiest animal of the day to have you for a owner. And your life will be the better for it.

Answer 7

When I lost one of my cats many years ago, I told myself no more cats. It was nice not having to watch and make sure the cat didn't get out every time I came in or went out. I went about a month and could not stand it any longer and went out and adopted another cat. I lost him early this year and I had him for almost 20 years. I still miss him a lot but I have 4 other cats. I took in a stray and she brought me her 3 kittens so I kept them all. You'll know when the time is right to get another cat. It might be a week or a month but you'll know.

Answer 8

Only you can know the answer to that one. After losing our dog this spring I was ready after a few months but my wife took longer. Everyone is different. I'd say you know you're ready when you want a new pet to be a new pet and not just a replacement for the lost one. Good luck.

Answer 9

It's a personal decision. It took me 6 months to bring a new cat into the house. Some people want an animal right away, not to replace the animal that has passed, but because they miss the companionship an animal brings. Others want to wait because the pain of losing one animal is just too hard to think about bringing another one in.

It's up to you when you feel you're ready. There's no right or wrong answer.

Prayers to you.

Answer 10

Please accept my sympathy on the loss of your beloved kitty.

It doesn't matter how long it's common to get a new cat; what matters is what feels right to you.

It's clear that you're a cat lover who needs a feline presence in your life, and that it's a matter of when, not if, you'll adopt a new kitty.

Some folks feel that they need to take a while to grieve their lost pet before they adopt a new one. Some feel it would be disloyal to adopt too soon. Some just don't feel ready for a while.

There are some things to consider. One is that no cat can ever replace the one you lost. Your beloved kitty still owns that special place in your heart and always will. The love you shared lives on and it always will. Your next cat won't take over that spot in your heart or push the previous kitty out; it will make a new place of its very own.

There is nothing disloyal about adopting soon, because the new kitty isn't a replacement in any sense.

In time your grief will be tempered with joyful memories, but it will never completely end. I still grieve for cats I loved decades ago, even though the pain of their loss has been thoroughly dulled. So if you wait for your grief to end completely, you might never adopt. If you wait for your grief to become less painful you might wait longer than you really need to.

My beloved Rusty was the great love of my life and when he died suddenly and unexpectedly in April I was devastated. I'm still devastated! But his cremains weren't even back from the crematorium yet when his doctor called me about a feral rescue that someone had brought to the clinic. She said this kitty needed follow up and couldn't be released back to the wild, and she didn't want to put him in a shelter where nobody was likely to adopt an adult feral with a bad eye that might have to be removed, but her personal herd and those of ther staff were all at capacity. She said she knew I wasn't ready but she knew I'm fond of the orange boys and that I wouldn't be squeamish about the possibility of winding up with a one-eyed cat. She pushed all the right buttons and I went to meet the kitty. We hit it off at once and I brought Scamper home the day before Rusty's cremains came back, and less than two weeks after Rusty died.

I wasn't ready to adopt, but I did it, and I was immediately glad. Scamper has brought great joy to me at a time of intense sorrow. I still weep for Rusty and my grief for him is intense, but my happiness with Scamper is comforting beyond words.

I found that it's possible to feel deep sorrow about one thing and great happiness about something else all at the same time. It's complex, but it's a lot better than just being sad!

I belong to an on-line support group for people dealing with Feline Vaccine-Associated Sarcoma, so I see a lot of loss among my virtual friends and acquaintences. (Rusty was a VAS kitty, but he didn't die from that.) Quite a few of those folks have adopted very soon after their losses, and none of them has had any regrets.

I'm not saying that you "should" adopt right away, but if you do, I'm sure you won't regret it.

Answer 11

I know how you feel. I am almost 23 years old and I cried like a baby when my hamster died. I decided not to get another, but instead I got 2 fish... not as a replacement, but as a new pet to help me get over my hamster. I had her for 4 years, and yes I know it is a small animal, but it is hard to get over no matter what animal you have. I think if you want to get another pet, just get one, because it will help you recouperate from your recent loss.

Sorry about your loss, and best wishes with getting a new animal!