I have 2 new kittens, but I feel like im replacing my old cats. What do I do?

Question

I got two new gorgeous kittens about a week ago. They act exactly like my old cats, except instead of them being a boy and a girl, they're 2 girls.
I used to have 2 cats, I loved them to bits and was distraught when they both died. That was about 3 years ago. Im still actually getting over the loss of them because they were so special to me. They had been with me for my whole life.

Now, ive got 2 new kittens, and I feel like im replacing my old cats somehow. I feel like im betraying my previous pets by getting the new ones.

And im finding it hard to love my gorgeous little kittens. They're very well behaved and dont scratch unless you provoke them.

What do I do to get over the loss of my old cats so I can love my new cats?

Answer 1

Consider this a gift and not a burden. It's almost as if the spirits of your cats are living on in these kittens. Perhaps you could make a collage of pictures of your old cats, or make a small memorial somehow for them?

Just try to remember the joy your previous pets brought you, and welcome into your life the love of your new pets. Love can be an emotion created from actions.

Play with them, get lost in the way they move and act. If you do this everyday, then you'll find they have just as special of a place in your heart as your old cats.

Answer 2

You are not replacing them or betraying them, you are honouring their memory.
Look at the kittens and rejoice at the new life and play with the kittens in the knowledge your other cats had a wonderful life with you and now the love you had for them will continue and grow with the young ones.
Your old cats will approve of you taking in the two young ones and giving them a wonderful life.
You will not forget the old ones, there must be a reason why you got the kittens - maybe the old ones decided it was time for you to get young lives into your home and again be comforted by the warmth and purring these will provide.

Answer 3

Oh I feel your pain. I was in your shoes a few months ago when I got a new kitten and felt like I was replacing my old cat whom I'd loved so much for alomst 17 years. You've got to think of it this way, your old cats would love knowing that you're giving another animal/other animals the same wonderful love and affection that you'd given to them for so many years. Think of the new kittens not as replacments but as extensions of your love for the other cats that you'd had previously. You learned that you can give animals a wonderful, happy and extremely loving life by taking care of them and you've done that with your old cats and now you've been blessed with two more animals to give the same love and attention to.

Answer 4

I think that you must leave your old cats to the past and enjoy your new ones. You are not replacing them, you are just enjoying the company of new ones. And your old cats will be in your heart forever.

Don't feel bad. It is healthy for you if you accept your loss, and the new kittens will help you to do just that.

Enjoy your new kittens and give yourself a chance of loving them too!!! You deserve it!! And your new kittens will love you too.

Answer 5

I don't know if we truly ever get over the loss of a close pet. Somehow they worm their way into heart and when they die you're left with an empty space where they were. It'll get a little easier with time, but they'll always be remembered and missed.

You're not replacing your previous cats, you're making a relationship with two new lives.

Answer 6

You will never, ever replace your old cats. You are simply giving 2 new kittens your love! The kittens are no comparison to your cats that have passed, but they are a new adventure. They are lucky to have someone like you to take care of them. Try getting them toys, food and accessories that are different than what you gave your old cats. Will help with keeping them separate in your memory.

Answer 7

I had a hard time when I got a kitten after my beloved Siamese passed away. I think I actually held myself back for a bit from this kitten. I had needed to get him so quickly after my old cat died because my dog was mourning so badly she was howling and digging through the drywall! I saw my dog accept him and saw her settle down emotionally and decided to accept him myself. He kept me laughing so much at his antics it was hard to feel sad as much as I did.
I learned that NO animal will ever replace a loved pet, but is a treasure in themself. I love my new cat (and since then another has been added) as much as my old cat, but for different reasons. All creatures are different and I appreciate each of my pets for their own unique qualities. I still cry at times over my old cat and miss him all the time, but my new cats and my dog are here now and deserve my love and attention. I know one day I will miss them too and move on to new pets, never forgetting the ones I shared my life with.
You can love your new cats and still not be over the loss of your old cats. Just love your new cats for the special kitties they are and know they will be different from your old cats - and you'll love them just as much for those different qualities.

Answer 8

I can sympathize with you to some extent, but I found that my new cats that I got after the older ones passed away (various reasons and many cat years), almost always had different personalities and I loved them just as much as I did the older ones. I don't look at it as replacing my cats, I always look at it in a bittersweet way...remembering the old and enjoying the new ones as they are. I always get a new cat when my old one passes away because I just love cats and each one has won my heart with his or her own little habits and antics. Keep your special memories and love the new ones too.

Answer 9

That's a tough one.

I guess you should probably try to treat them as though they were human losses. Remember the good times with your old pets. Enjoy the time you have with your new ones.

I guess technically you are "replacing" your old cats. You are filling (or attempting to fill) the void left when your old cats left. It's not a bad thing, its just a fact of life I guess

I'm sorry for your loss, I love my pets too

Answer 10

i am in a similar position to you

we lost one of our cats over a year ago to inoperable cancer then his litter-mate and brother then developed a tumour (that cost us mega bucks to remove) so we were not able to even think about getting kittens until his operation was proven successful.

but earlier in the month we bit the bullet and were given a couple of kittens

they get on so well with their new 'uncle' also and he has shown them how to play 'pat a cake' and all kinds of other things (plus he does help discipline them too)

the older one of 14 and it really has given him a new lease of life

my son (aged 8) adores them too but does say that he still misses the one who died

i tell him that the one who died would be very pleased that he is using what he learned to be friends with the new kittens

we don't replace them - just use the knowledge about looking after them for the benefit of the new kittens and enjoy them. their own personalities will soon emerge and you will form your own special relationship with each of them - just give yourself time.