Should i get a kitten to keep my lonely cat company ?

Question

He is 11 and our other cat has died (about 3 weeks ago ) ?

Answer 1

You could try but He may be taritorial to a new cat. I may take a few weeks for him to tolarate is new companion.
We have a 13 year old cat who tried to kill our new kittens and they still fight all the time. so it depends

Answer 2

I've ALWAYS had two cats, so when Groucho disappeared (he went off to die), I waited several months, but then got a kitten from the shelter to keep Jelicle (the old mama cat) and me company. Jelcile beat the new kitten up, the the kitten didn't seem to mind/care/notice! She was too busy playing with the old cat, and I think it kept my old cat a little bit young! Then when Jelicle died, I waited several months, went back to the same shelter, and adopted an older cat (still younger than the kitten I had gotten a couple of years ago).

I'd do it!

Answer 3

Consider a cat five or six months old for company and make sure it is a spayed female rather than a male. The local humane society is a great place to browse for a new addition. There is less competition with different sex cats. Most older cats have very little use for the antics of a young kitten. In addition, realize that you are the best company for your cat if it is indoors the majority of the time. Any new cat is going to take time to adjust to new surroundings and your older cat is going to have adjustments to make too. They probably will not be instant friends so be prepared to give the older cat some "space" to adjust to a new "friend."

Answer 4

I also had two cats and lost the 14 yr old last Oct. My 3 yr. old Jeffrey, has adjusted fine and I think he really likes being an only cat. Maybe you should give him another week or so, but if you feel he is lonely, maybe another cat is the way to go. I'm sure he will accept a kitten much faster than an older cat. I'm sorry for your loss.♥

Answer 5

Get a cat, not a kitten. There's no doubt your cat is feeling lonely and depressed by suddenly losing his friend/companion. And sure, there's always a risk for the first couple weeks/months that the new cat will not be welcomed by your first cat... but in time they should be fine. Studies say that having a companion will prolong your pets life. I had one cat for about a year and always just wanted one pet. Then I started to travel a little for work... it was a hard decision to pick up a second one but it is worth it if in the long run they live longer and happier lives. They are only about 1 year apart in age, and at first they hated each other, now they are inseparable.

Answer 6

He may not get on with another cat. A lively kitten may be too much for a middle-aged cat like him. Try playing with him more, see how he gets on in a few weeks. He will probably get used to being the only cat in the home.

Answer 7

Cats become strongly bonded (hence why some shelters offer a second cat free if it is a buddy of another cat). Getting another cat will not replace that special bond, however it may form a new bond if you're lucky. It depends on each individual. My cat lost her sister and she was depressed for a month or so and then was fine. Her personality changed - she was the shy one but then she became bolder. You can't really predict what will happen if you get another cat/kitten. Good luck and sorry for your loss.

Answer 8

I did that twice, actually. The first time, it went ok. Nutmeg didn't dislike his new friend, but didn't really go out of his way to snuggle, play, or be around her. Mostly, she tried to play and he wanted to sleep. She was about 5 at the time, but I don't really know for sure as I got her at the humane society as a stray.

Then Nutmeg died last year after a long battle with CRF and Noelle just went to pieces. She was always crying and looking for him. It totally broke my heart. We got Oliver about 3 weeks later and she accepted him pretty much immediately. I tried to keep them seperate so that he could adjust, but the first thing they did was touch noses and give kisses. Now, they are inseperable. They play together, sleep together, they even eat together. Hell, I think they prefer each other over us!

As far as the age goes, I would probably try to get a cat closer to your cats age. For me, it went better the 2nd time partly because they were closer in age. Plus, older cats are often left behind at the shelter because everyone wants kittens, and they often have a less expensive adoption fee, if that's an issue.

Above all else, though, consider your own cats personality and whether or not he'll easily accept a new cat.

Answer 9

I did this. I got a 2 month old kitten to keep my 4 month old kitten company. Mostly because the 4 month old kitten was constantly attacking me, using me as her sole playtoy. The kittens bonded within 3 days and were sleeping with each other. But now, they are so attached to each other, they practically ignore me. I have two happy kittens. That s all that matters.

Answer 10

All depends on your cats personality - we had a brother & sister cat and the brother died last year and she kept pining for her brother it was dirivng us nuts us we brought a kitten and everytime the kitten got near her she would hiss or run away, a few months passed and they didnt bother each other - the kittne has grown up now and only recently they have been sharing the same sofa and the older cat is nursing the kitten.
THEN we got another kitten who wasnt as mad as the previous and she never hasseled the older cat.

Answer 11

If he is showing signs of being lonely and missing the other cat it may be good to try a new arrival. But be warned, he may see it as a attack on him and think you are trying to get rid of him or push him out since his friend has 'gone'. When two of my cats died really close to each other the one remaining was about 16. She enjoyed all out attention and the really expensive food we got her and had a really fun time on her own until she died a month or two after the other ones (blood clot burst she had to be put to sleep, lost them all with in 5 months of each other). See how you think he/she is own their own and use your initiative. May even bring out the kitten in him/her again? Don't get a cat because they will fight with each other, at least with a kitten the kitten will be fine 'moulding' to how your cat wants them to be! and wont know any difference, an older cat will already be themselves and they will just fight. Good luck. xx