One cat died, do I get another?

**talya** · 7th August 2011, 12:21 AM

HI,

I have just joined the forum in hope of getting some advise.

I had 2 MC cats - sisters, (same father) that I adopted when they were 3 months old. They celebrated their 1st birthday in June.

Sadly we lost one of the cats to a car accident when she managed to get out of the back garden and got hit by a car. I am still devastated about it. She was very different in personality from my present cat Tortie. Nibbles was very friendly, true to her name - loved to lick and nibble and would always sit in my lap. Tortie, is more shy and always have been. She will follow me around the house but not often will come and sit in my lap. She loves the attention that we give her including all the love she gets from my 3 year old twins but we are now starting to wonder if she is lonely.

The 2 cats used to do everything together, sit at the top of the stairs at night together, go out, eat , just about everything and they used to love each others company.
Ok, the question is, how do I know if I should get another cat/kitten, would she like the company or would she like being the only one???
she does not seem depressed or sad but she keeps chasing the chicken in the back yard making me think she wants someone else to play with and we are just not good enough sometimes :-)

If I get a kitten, would she see it as an intrusion? I guess it all depends on personality, but how do I tell??

I would appreciate it if you had any advise
Thank you
Talya

**cooncatbob** · 7th August 2011, 12:31 AM

I'm sorry for your loss, I know what it's like to lose one of these magnificent creatures.
My Samantha was 16 years old before she was taken by the scourge of cancer, she died in my arms know she was beloved.
I would get another cat, I would get another girl around the same age and with a compatible personality.
There's a lot of information on how to proper introduce a new cat into your home, will your cat bond with the new one like she did her sister, that can't really be known.
But you have a better chance now then if your cat gets used to being a only child.

debbie560 · 7th August 2011, 08:46 AM

So sorry for your loss, I think that you should get another one, cats feel the loss of their friend as much as we do, specially when they have grown up in the same home together! Take time out first then start to look... x

**arthurwhitewhisker** · 7th August 2011, 09:40 AM

Hi
So sorry for your loss, its heartbreaking to lose a cat!

We have always had more than one cat and I fully believe that a cat like a coonie should never be alone, at only a year old they are still babies with another 18 months maturing to do (if they ever mature!). I would definately get another cat but I would get a younger one so the your cat at home is top cat and doesnt see the new one as a threat. We got our 3 coonies mid last year, one by one, and introduced them into our house of 3 cats, one an 18 year old who we sadly lost in december. But, after an initial who are you and a little bit of telling off by the older cats they all settled in just perfectly.

I would go as far as to say it doesnt need to be a coonie, any moggie will do, it will just be company for her.

Good luck.
Ruth

**jckkerrison** · 7th August 2011, 09:58 AM

That is so sad,it is bad enough loosing a pet but to an accident is even worse,how do they manage to find "that spot"that you are unaware of.....
I agree with others when time feels right go get Tortie a friend,as for personalities don't try & match to what you think is right for Tortie it is you that has to feel it is the right one for you & your family,right for you will be right for Tortie because you won't keep thinking have we got the one with the right personalty to suit it will just be introducing the new member that your heart has fallen for.All MC's have different personalities,the underlying traits are there,luv of water,intelligence etc but the rest is like humans,some like cuddles,some don't,some prefer to lay beside you,some like your lap & closer contact but they all have the seperate bits that you luv about that one cat,we have had one that was hard work & distant but in her later years was a love bug right down to one that has been a purring love bug from day one,out of the six that we have been lucky enough to share our home with not one has been exactly the same as another,all I know is I could never have a house now without a MC in it,they keep you on your toes,they make you laugh,they can make you cross when that flower box loses all its innards again,they can make you cry but out there somewhere is always another to help, go & fall in love again....x

**talya** · 7th August 2011, 11:35 AM

Thank you so much for all the kind words. Reading the replies this morning made me go all emotional again and realise that I am not over Nibbles yet, I miss her. I only had one cat before her and she was 18 when she died, it is so hard to loose a pet.
I appreciate what you are saying and will consider getting Tortie a friend, most likely another Coon as I think they are so wonderful. I have noticed Tortie sitting by the door and 'chatting' with a neighbours cat on the other side, so I wonder if that is a sign to say she will be ok with another cat. I like the advise given of getting a younger cat so Tortie can remain top cat as I think this will be important for her.

Thanks again
Talya

**jckkerrison** · 7th August 2011, 12:00 PM

It doesn't always work that the older cat will remain "Top",all the cats respected our elder girl but another one thought he "was "top cat,not a very good one because he could be a bully but when the two new babes came along it was not too long before it became obvious that one of them was going to hold that position & he does.....

**pralinehalo** · 7th August 2011, 12:30 PM

So sorry for your loss, I had a rescue cat when I was younger who got hit by a car (and died) and it was awful :(

I think getting another is a great idea. I think they generally find it easiest to bond with a kitten and I think jckkerrison's advice on what to look for in the new addition is spot-on.

Good luck!

**Carol ann** · 7th August 2011, 09:56 PM

My 2p worth would be possibly go for a boy, your girl has got you to give her love and attention but she cant have a chat to you.
I know what you mean about still feeling emotional, and I would imagine lots of others on this forum would also concour with those feelings, I know I do.
We have all lost some of our furry friends.
I wish you well in your time spent looking for a new friend.