Current Events > Should I get a new cat to keep our current one company after his sister died?

(+) Yeah! (+)

One of our cats passed late last year. We've been living with my inlaws while my wife recovers from an injury, so he still had companionship with their cat, but now we've moved back home and he's alone.

I can't decide if it's better to let him go into his senior years as a solo cat or get another one for him to have as a companion.

How has the surviving cat been behaving since his sister passed away?

In most cases that I know of, cats would rather not have to get used to someone completely new, especially if that someone = competition.

Although it is possible with carefully phased introduction to let him get used to a new cat, but it's also very likely that he won't like having to share his safe place with a whole new cat, and that he'll be hostile towards it.

He's been mostly sleeping and begging for food, with a lot of pacing. We've definitely seen him looking for his sister but mostly he seems fine.

SenlinDescends posted...

One of our cats passed late last year. We've been living with my inlaws while my wife recovers from an injury, so he still had companionship with their cat, but now we've moved back home and he's alone.

I can't decide if it's better to let him go into his senior years as a solo cat or get another one for him to have as a companion.

This is never an easy thing to answer. But...if I understand correctly, His sister died, he then made friends with inlaws cat? And now he's alone? How old?

Shamino posted...

This is never an easy thing to answer. But...if I understand correctly, His sister died, he then made friends with inlaws cat? And now he's alone? How old?

He's 11. And yeah, he knew the inlaws cat from before(wife lived there when we started dating) but he had their cat, Lyla, for company.

SenlinDescends posted...

He's 11. And yeah, he knew the inlaws cat from before(wife lived there when we started dating) but he had their cat, Lyla, for company.

So he's been friends with two cats?

Shamino posted...

So he's been friends with two cats?

Yup. and a third they used to have

I'd adopt an older cat personally, but that's just me. I've experienced loss of cats in my life, I've always had two also, and found that when one has gone, introducing another goes really well and helps the healing process.

There is no real right answer because all cats behave differently, but I'd say go for it.

SenlinDescends posted...

Yup. and a third they used to have

Well, he seems friendly enough. And at 11 years old his testosterone fuled days are behind him. If he's always had a friend I'd get him one. Heck, if you like dogs you could even consider that.

We got a new kitten after one of our two old cats died. At first he was indifferent and distand towards her, even reacting with hostility if she tried to make contact. But over time he warmed up to her and they ended up being good friends. I recommend you try the same.