Although time will never completely erase the sadness of loss, it normally dulls the pain and many people decide, after months or years, that they miss feline company after all. Most viruses don't survive for long in the environment or are 'killed' by disinfectant. Patience and gentle reflection can help you and your family heal from the pain of losing a pet. Farms sometimes have kittens available, but you must be careful to check the kitten’s health as diseases spread easily in uncontrolled breeding colonies; also the kitten may be poorly socialised if it has been born to farmyard cats. Some enzyme cleaner should help too. Choosing your new dog should also be a group process. When he begins to explore, offer your cat attention, treats and playtime. A cat knows only that its companion has disappeared. While no cat can replace another beloved cat — each pet, like each person, is unique — hopefully, you will open your heart and home to a new cat at some point. Always regard pet shops (or worse, market stalls) with caution. When the words "infectious" or "contagious" are involved, it can be difficult not to be slightly wary. Though each cat is unique, fortunately, there are some cat introduction techniques that work on most cats, most of the time. Put the new cat in the normal living quarters, and let your resident cat sniff out the new cat's safe room. Often cats grieve when a favorite friend they bonded with passes on. Often, the surviving pet will accept a newcomer (it may take a while) but sometimes it won't. Caitlin UltimoAugust 8, 2007Behavior / Stress & Anxiety, Four years ago, we adopted two kittens, Harley and Chopper, and raised them together. They rarely sell adult cats, usually only kittens. Some people adopt a new cat within hours of losing a previous pet, some need time to come to terms with their loss before they feel ready to give their love to another cat. The only caution I would add is if the surviving cat is and unneutered male, you want to have him neutered and wait a few weeks before introducing the kittens. Bringing in a New Cat After the Death of an Old One Soul Cats. microchip, via notice-boards, via a rescue shelter's lost and found register, via lost and found section of a newspaper. If the previous pet was poisoned, run over or went missing, possibly stolen, you may decide it is unfair to put another cat at risk as well as risking another heartache if the new cat suffers the same fate. Your new cat needs to be able to safely investigate the rest of the … Know when to clean — or not to clean. Many people adopt a pet straight from the vet clinic or through a notice on the vet clinic notice-board. This will allow each cat to become accustomed to each other’s scent in a non-threatening way. If all the cats appear comfortable in their spaces, place the new cat in a different room (equipped with the same amenities) after two days, and allow your other cats to enter the new cat’s original territory. Depressed cats often sleep more than usual. After all, pets give us unconditional love, boundless loyalty and unwavering companionship. Unless the other resident animal was sick, there is usually no … A lot of people don’t want to suffer the pangs of loss again. Once you have introduced a new pet into the household, make sure your existing pets receive lots of attention. After all, many terminally ill pets and people die outside the home in a medical facility. If you enjoyed feline companionship before, there is no reason you shouldn't enjoy feline companionship with a different cat. The new cat will not be a replacement. One of the most common questions asked by owners who have lost a cat (due to death or disappearance) is when to get a new cat to replace it. Additionally, check that your cat is not displaying “needy” behaviors, such as following you around more than usual. Then, she instructs, leave the sock near the existing cat and let him investigate … These cats may be older, some may show signs of wear and tear and they may not have their pedigree papers available, but if you mainly plan to have the cat as a pet, a breed rescue society is an excellent place to go. In a perfect world, you would lead the cat into the space with whatever is their favorite food or toy. If your grieving cat stops eating for more than 24 hours, seek help from his veterinarian. This is most pronounced in mixed breed cats, but even with purebreds whose personalities are more easily generalised, some individuals are more outgoing or confident than others. If you decide to adopt a cat for Harley, search for a cat who has a history of living with other cats the same age as Harley and whose activity level is the same. I’m your new cat and I’d like to tell you a few things: Your house is brand new to me, so I am a bit nervous and shy. There are other valid reasons though. ), Returning to Work? We've noticed some new behaviors from Harley indicating he is definitely missing his “brother.”. Not all cats are pets - in some situations the previous cat was a working cat, perhaps one that was not particularly friendly to humans; in this case it should be replaced by a cat with a similar disposition. Even if your intention is to get another pet to keep your current cat or dog company after the death of a previous companion animal, your current pet is less likely to welcome a newcomer with open paws! With some space and time the peeing should subside. Copyright © 2020 Chewy, Inc. Maintaining normal meal times, for example, can provide some stability during this difficult time. 2. Some cats do not seem deeply affected—others become seriously depressed. Even if the pet shop itself is excellent, it may still be providing an outlet for kitten farms or blacklisted breeders. After 2-3 days, some cat experts recommend switching the cats’ locations so they can get used to each others’ smells. Before taking on a stray, try to find out whether it already has an owner e.g. MESSYBEAST CATS - HEALTH, FEEDING & GENERAL CARE. Both are wonderful. 342 views The decision to get a new dog should be one you make as a group. I do not recommend adopting a cat who looks like Chopper. Yes, slowly and with constant supervision for the first few days. The following short video, by Johnson-Bennett, describes this process. In addition, the cat may have been bred to deliberately exhibit certain health problems or defects. Finally you may be offered, via ‘a contact’ a cat or kitten ‘rescued from a laboratory’. Whenever bringing a new cat into the household, introduce cats to each other gradually and as stress-free as possible. Just make sure the introduction is done slowly and gradually. A new cat cannot "replace" the lost sibling. An equal number of people adopt one which looks completely dissimilar so that they are not uncomfortably reminded of the former pet. For a non-pedigree cat the best place is a shelter or rescue group. It is better to ‘commemorate’ or ‘remember’ a previous cat by adopting another one fully cognisant that it will be an individual with a character all of its own. The surviving cat is probably grieving for it's companion, and would welcome 2 kittens. Just as every human is unique and cannot be replaced, every cat is unique. Stress can compromise the immune system and can result in illness. It will take me a few days to feel comfortable, so please be patient. So what can you do to help your grieving cat when your other cat dies? The dog is most like ticked because of the new cat. A few indications that your cat has recovered from his loss include normal eating and sleeping habits, playing and not pacing or vocalizing excessively. Some people adopt a new cat within hours of losing a previous pet, some need time to come to terms with their loss before they feel ready to give their love to another cat. Watch his sleeping patterns as well. The pedigree papers supplied by such a breeder may be fraudulent and the kitten will probably be unregistrable and, therefore, cannot compete in breed classes at cat shows. If your grieving cat stops eating for more than 24 hours, seek help from his veterinarian. Try having the cat stay in a room away from the dog. Some provide a caring home for an unwanted cat to save it from possible euthanasia which is a very generous attitude. Successfully integrating cats to each other can take a few weeks, a few months or longer. Doing so may prolong your grief and you may have unrealistic expectations of the new cat, based on his looks. In such cases, the surviving pet and a new companion with a suitable personality must be introduced carefully to ensure that they do provide each other with company. Equally, you decide that you are saving the life of an unwanted cat. Bring in the Other Cat: Casually have your partner bring the other cat into the room and immediately engage him. You may notice a grieving cat meowing more than usual, and some grieving cats lose interest in their surroundings. Then wipe the new cat’s face with a different sock and place that in the resident cat’s area. It is a matter of personal preference. They all have there own individual personalities so you can never replace a cat you loved so much. Keeping a consistent and routine schedule will help Harley adjust to the loss of his buddy cat. Another source of pedigree cats are pedigree rescue societies. Like with people, every cat handles the death of a friend differently. After introducing smells for a few days, when you are ready for the first face-to-face introduction, put the new cat in his carrier and let the resident cats come into the “safe room.” This will give you an opportunity to observe the interaction among the cats while the new cat is protected in his carrier. While there are some excellent pet shops which take great care of their kittens and who carefully vet prospective owners, there are still far too many which sell ill or underage kittens to anyone who has the money, regardless of whether that person is a cat lover or someone who plans to use the kitten for training fighting dogs. You should also ensure that neither the surviving cat nor the newcomer pose health risks to each other (FeLV, FIV etc) and, ideally, both should be vaccinated. A: It hurts all members of the family, including other resident animals, when a beloved companion cat leaves us. Other cats need time to adjust... and sometimes you'll find that your cat becomes more assertive or more needy or more independent. Kittens from different sources may be mixed together, increasing the risk of infection. Feline infectious peritonitis is a deadly disease in kittens and adult cats, and if one of your pets recently passed away from it, any concern in adopting a newbie may have some validity. This depends on what sort of cat you want. If you already have a cat and have decided to increase the family by introducing a new cat into your home, you should know the best way for both pets get along and to get to know each other. The death of a cat companion has a profound impact on a household – grieving humans, changes of routine and the absence of a familiar part of the social unit. There are no hard and fast rules about whether or when to adopt another cat, but there are some common sense guidelines. Even if the cat resembles your previous cat, it will have its own likes and dislikes. That, in turn, would influence what type of companion to look for when he/she is ready. To help introduce your new cat to children, we’ve included a little message with some tips from the cats: Hi there! When one cat in a bonded pair dies, monitor your other cat closely. Your response depends on your own views on the matter of animal experimentation, but you must be warned that, in the eyes of the law, you are knowingly handling stolen goods. The surviving cat was chummy tho with the departed one. Slowly introduce them again after your doggie eases up on the peeing problem. Johnson-Bennett uses her tried and true method: use a clean sock to rub on the new cat’s face to capture her facial pheromones. If you’re adding a new cat to a home where there are existing pets, please see Introducing Your Dog to a New Cat or Introducing Your Cat to a New Cat. If, each time the cats meet, there is immediate serious fighting (e.g. Some bereaved pet lovers feel guilty, sad, or confused about adopting a cat or buying a kitten from a pet store. Cats probably don't understand death. Getting a new cat soon after the death of another cat could cause your pet even more stress. How can I help Harley? Some experts recommend waiting six months before getting another cat; others recommend periodic blood tests to monitor antibodies against coronavirus and introducing a new cat only when the test is zero. Some cats show no signs of grief at all, and they may even appear happy to be the only cat in the home. It may be possible to reduce or eliminate the risks by adopting on an indoor-only cat or fencing in the garden to provide a safe outdoor environment. For most people there are no hard and fast rules - it is a case of ‘when you feel ready to adopt another cat’. In some cases, the cat is to provide company for a remaining pet. A common theme among nearly every type of cat is that they don’t like sudden changes.. The healthy cat will likely have blood tests indicating exposure to coronavirus for the 3-6 months after the death of the sick cat. If one cat is or was a rescued kitten, his life has already been filled with stress, and he may be fearful about living with another cat. How to Introduce Your Cat to a New Cat Litter or Litter Box. Introductions should be carried out slowly. Owners who seek to ‘replace’ their previous pet are frequently disappointed. How easily a new cat is introduced depends on how attached the cat’s guardian was to the old cat and their willingness to create a welcoming space for a new cat. One of the keys to a mutually satisfying multi-cat household is making sure that your current cat and new cat start off on the right paw. After the loss of a family pet, many people wonder how long they should wait before they get a new cat or dog. Terms of Use Privacy Policy Interest-Based AdsChewy Careers, The Best Toys for Anxious Dogs and Their Stressed-Out Humans, How to Keep Your Dog Calm Around Fireworks (While Still Having Fun! Your new cat may be a memorial to your previous cat, it may commemorate a previous cat, but it will have a character all its own. How To Manage Separation Anxiety In Cats. It may resemble it, but it will have a personality all of its own. Kitten-mill kittens may be unhealthy or poorly socialised due to their poor start in life or because their mother has been weakened by over-breeding. 1. Sometimes it is not so much the owner who misses the cat, but a surviving pet which misses its feline companion so intensely that a replacement is sought. Some owners also feel that they will never be ready to have another cat due to their grief over the previous one. Uncontrolled breeding is to be discouraged because of over-population, but genuine accidents do occur (they may even be fostering kittens on behalf of a shelter). In some instances a pedigree cat or kitten sold through a pet shop has turned out to be a stolen pet - the pet shop may or may not be aware of this, but nevertheless it causes great heartache for the previous owner of that cat and the legitimate owner may take legal action to reclaim their stolen property. Allow Cats to Glimpse One Another After a day or so, let the two cats sniff each other through a baby gate or through a barely-opened door. These are the cats who become our kindred... A New Cat. What should you do when your cat dies, leaving a lonely brother behind? Aside from the fact that available cats generally outnumber available homes, many people simply miss feline company. Make sure she is engaged, and keep her moving… either with treats or a toy. This requires some knowledge, forethought, and finesse on your part. Abstain from bringing a new cat into your home. The new cat will never replace a previous one. Deciding if you should you adopt a new cat or kitten after the death of your beloved animal isn't easy. There are heart cats, and there are soul cats. Wipe the resident cat’s face, especially the mouth and cheek areas, with a sock, and place it in the new cat’s area. If you want a pedigree cat you can locate a breeder through the advertisement section of most cat magazines or by going to a breed information stand at a cat show. After the death of a pet, it is advisable to keep the normal daily routine of any remaining pets in the household as unchanged as possible. Sometimes a cat will find you. Your vet, or cat care books, will be able to advise you how long a particular germ can persist in the house and what steps you can take to eradicate it. Cats can behave in many different ways after the loss of another cat. Other sources should be treated more cautiously. Spend time with your cat in his home-base room, at first doing low-key activities like reading or watching TV. If he enjoys cuddling at a special time, be available to him then. Bringing a new cat into your home, even with careful preparation, can still be a stressful experience for your cats. Wait until both you and your grieving cat have recovered from your loss before adopting another cat. Only buy a kitten from a pet shop if you are certain of the shop’s level of care and you have been unable to find a suitable cat or kitten from a shelter, breeder, vet clinic or other reputable source. It will be an individual with its own personality. A friend or colleague may have to rehome a cat because of changed circumstances - you should be able to get information on the cat's character and habits. And how do I know when Harley is ready for us to bring home a new cat? Here’s How to Help Your Pet (and Yourself) Manage the Stress, Please Don’t Go! Advertisements for in shop windows or on the roadside for example - are these being bred for profit or is the owner simply not responsible enough to have their cat spayed? Many pet shop kittens come from kitten farms or from owners who allow their cats to breed simply so they can sell the kittens. Some pets seem to genuinely mourn the loss of a companion, and you may find that you need to introduce a new pet simply to comfort the survivor. He must eat, drink and use his litter box as usual. Many behaviorists advise rubbing the cats with the same towel to mix their scents. One of my cats has died, should I get a companion for my remaining cat? , sad, or confused about adopting a cat who looks like as long as it is a or... Even more stress been weakened by over-breeding me a few months or longer careful,! A favorite friend they bonded with passes on from his veterinarian to family. 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