Our cat got hit by a car the other day, we only had him for about 6 months, is it too soon to get a new one?

Question

My kids are crying for me to get a new kitty, how long should I wait? Should i make this one a indoor Kitty?

Answer 1

It is up to you when to get a new kitty. You already know because of this experience that it is not safe outside. Please don't get another cat only to have the same thing happen again.
Yes, cats should be indoor. They get into way too much trouble outside.

Answer 2

I urge you to make sure and have the next cat be strictly an indoor animal, otherwise you will keep causing your family grief and having uneccesary death occur. Also, I urge you to get the cat spayed or neutered.

I also suggest judging if your kids are deserving of a new animal and to let them know that a new life does not substitute the life on another. That is for you to decide, so it is just a suggestion.

Really, it truly is your call. And honestly, everyone is much better off with indoor animals. If you think they are ready, and if you are ready, then go ahead, but do a little research before and really know what you are getting into. Get the whole family in on doing research and learning about it.

Answer 3

Well, only you know when it is the right time to get a new kitten. If your kids are under 5, you should consider getting a kitten over 6 months old, so it can defend itself (get away) from the child if it wants to love it to death!

Certainly indoor cats are a lot less trouble and less expensive. Let's examine this...

Outside cats need flea protection throughout all the warm months, they need to be vaccinated from all kinds of diseases, they pick up fleas from other folks animals and yards and bring them home, causing a problem for you that must be dealt with. All animals should be spayed/neutered, but it is even more important for an outside cat to be, or else it will make exponentially more kittens that will need to be put down at the animal shelter.

Inside, you may think your cat is bored, but it doesn't have to be. Cats sleep an incredible amount of time anyway (this is normal for them) and they wake up when you come home from work. They prowl around while you are asleep and play with toys, bugs in your house, each other if you have more than one (which is a great idea). The inside cat lives much longer, stays healthier, bonds to you better, stay "kittenish" longer, stays flea free, does not need to be vaccinated from FIV/HIV Feline Leukemia etc. Only a rabies is required when you get it fixed and then you really don't ever need to get it another rabies vaccine unless you just want to.

Kitties are fun, but there are a boatload of grown cats that will be a lot less trouble and much less expensive to adopt off of Petfinder.com. They are being given up by people whose lives have changed, or because they do better without other cats, or because their owners are moving to an apartment that requires a deposit that is more than the owner wants to pay. These cats already have personalities that you can count on, they are often declawed, spayed, neutered and up to date on shots. All this costs a lot of money and sometimes the owner will just give the cat away when they know they have found a good adopter. Even when it says "A small charge will be assessed to insure a good home", they will often waive the fee once they find a good adopter.

Take care and good luck with your new pet!

Answer 4

Some people feel better to have another kitty right away -- someone else to snuggle. There's nothing wrong with that -- as long as they understand the new kitty isn't a replacement for the old one. Animals are wonderful for children to have around, they learn a lot of empathy by taking care of them. And the cats can be fairly self reliant also since your kids are afterall, children themselves.. The downside is the death, but having an indoor kitty will do a LOT to keep this next one healthy for a long time. Girls also make great indoor kitties if you're worried about spraying, etc (though if he is neutered, he shouldn't). I am sorry about your loss!

Answer 5

It is all a matter of personal feeling. When I was about 13 years old my dog was hit by a car and passed away. I was not ready for another dog immediately. I actually did not get another dog till I was 16 years old. Sometimes it is difficult for someone to get another animal soon after the passing of another pet but if your children are ready and you are also then I would say there is no set amount of time to wait and you cat get another can as soon as your ready to.

I would advise making this one an indoor cat though. All my cats have always been indoor animals. Unlike dogs, cats tend to be much more independent and not quite as easy to keep control of in the yard. Rather than risk another accident, I would keep this one inside.

Best wishes

<3 Laura

Answer 6

I would wait a couple of weeks...that way your kids don't see a pet as a "replaceable" object, then I would get a new kitty and u really should keep it indoors, a outdoor cat can carry diseases from eating wild things. So it would a safer thing for your children and not just the cat. And have it fixed of course

Answer 7

I lost 2 cats - it was just their time. I never thought I'd ever get another, but 3 years later I did - 3 of them. We all need different time to heal BUT! make sure the children respect the cat as a living creature. They are not possessions, they are beings you adopt into your home & family; you don't run out and get another everytime one dies.
YES! Keep it indoors if you are in the city (in the country on the other hand, good luck keping it in) AND SPAY OR NEUTER IT!!

Answer 8

Most people learn after one cat to keep their cats indoors. Sometimes it takes the loss of two to do it.

Do get a new cat for your children and keep it strictly indoors. Your children have learned the tragedy of letting a cat out to roam the streets and hopefully they will be very conscientious in helping you about closing doors and being careful the new cat does not get out.

If you wait until the kittens come in by May, get two kittens for you and your children to enjoy. Cats who stay indoors need a cat companion too.

Answer 9

Oooooh i am so sorry to read this...
I understand what you ask, but i think you don't really have to wait unless you think you should... nobody better than you knows when's the right time.
My cat is mostly outside, but in the backyard, never on the street. But not everyone has that, but i heard of something that is great: a cat enclosure/cat run (type on your search engine), because there are many sites with pictures of people who have one... so the cat is actually outside but safe... and the good thing is that you can build it yourself (or well a handy repair person), according to your space and necessities...
I will be moving to another part of the country soon, so i will be making one of those for my cat...and for my mental peace, lol...

Hope it helps you :)

Answer 10

It is not too soon to get a new kitten. This one should be indoor only. I NEVER let my cats outside. There are too many things out there that can kill a cat. (cars, antifreeze, worms, mites, people, cars, etc....) If you want a cat, you should take care of it and make sure it is safe. Some pet owners will never give a cat to someone who had a cat killed by a car.