Too soon for another cat?

[Corriel]

Hi everyone, nine years ago I adopted two sister kittens who were six months old.  They had their share of health problems over the years and stress usually played a factor in their illnesses.

Three weeks ago I had to put one of the girls down (Maisie) and the remaining one (Callie) is still grieving and I took her in to the vet about two weeks ago to make sure she wasn't ill at the time.

My question is, when is it too soon to get another cat? I have not decided for sure to get one but Callie is 9 so I don't want to wait too long to decide. I also don't want to make her sick and think her grieving could go on for a while yet. Maybe she would prefer to be a solitary cat too, I just can't tell.

I live alone and work all day so I am not sure what the best option for her is. She sleeps a lot of the time but is still eating (although she eats less when I am at work) and she still cries a lot, especially at night.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom or similar experiences to share?

Thanks,
Corrie

[Piparskeggr]

When we lost both Queen Victoria (11/82 - 05/00) and Cerridwen Blythe (12/83 - 04/00) so close together it left Victoria's sister Calamity Jane all alone.  We observed her closely and saw she was, like your girl Callie, very lonely.  In June we decided to get Cammie a companion.

A co-worker had a kitten to adopt out and I asked her to bring kitty to my house.  This was Silver Kestrel (04/00 - 06/12).  Kessie was a sweetheart from day one, snuggling up to old Cammie.

In November the following year we took in Kessie's half-sister Hildiekatt Halfshadow (09/01 - 06/14) who snuggled up to both her sister and Cammie.

In October the next year we rescued Chesapeake Bandylegs (06/02 - 01/14) from the county shelter and she integrated just fine.

In June 2009 we took in the semi-famous Miss Teia Honey (born 12/98), who was a semi-wild former feral that her previous people had had for 10 years after rescuing her from a neighborhood kid that was hurting her.  Vet thought her about 6 months old at thee time (hence the calculated birth date).  Teia eventually became friends with Hildie, on "speaking terms" with Kessie, but never warmed up to Chessie.

We lost Kessie to lymphoma as we did her sister, and Chesapeake to heart disease.  Three kitties in 2 years, leaving Miss Teia all alone.

Missy T was doing fine as solo cat, we thought she would.

However, soon after we lost Hildie I saw the news about a rescue in the Harrisburg, PA area and made up my mind to adopt 2 of the kittens (the nearly semi-famous Buff and Cooper).

We brought them home on 19 October.  Less than 2 months later, the boys have free range of the house.  Missy T isn't lovey with them, but does not seem to mind, as long as they do not get too close.

So, we've introduced both kittens and adult cats into the household.

Okay, with the long narrative out of the way.

If Callie looks lonely, she is lonely.

Our success in is, I think, a little unusual, especially in light of Missy T's background and personality.  But, we had the success of the other introductions upon which to build.

My suggestion is to get an older kitty in need of re-homing.  Visit a local rescue.  They will have information on each cat's health and temperament.  An older kitty will have a set personality and they will know which ones are cat friendly.

Miss Teia's our biggest success I believe, from fearful, former feral to content, lap kitty.

[Piparskeggr]

Forgot to note, Cammie made it to a few days past 21 years, 4 months.

Also, I have distant kinfolk in the Saint John's area; visited every couple of years when I was a kid.  They had a dairy farm overlooking the bay.

[Corriel]

Thank you for your reply. I think I will be getting another cat soon but I need to make sure that Callie improves a bit more. I am trying some Bach's Rescue Remedy to see if that will help her.

She's been chewing at her sides and I am finding clumps of her fur all over the place. No sores though so I hope that once she stops doing that it might mean she is over the worst of it.

Corrie

[garrettmarvel]

In my experience you will know when the time is right b/c the next kitty will present herself or himself to you and it will be obvious you are supposed to be together. Sorry for your loss....When they go OTRB it is heartbreaking. :(

[Corriel]

Thank you.

Everytime I think I am ready, poor Callie seems to take a step backwards and then I think maybe I am not ready.

I do think she's lonely but I don't think she will accept another cat, at least not anytime soon.

We'll see how things shake out. It has been a month now and I don't really notice any change with her to show she's getting over her grief.

Corrie

[Piparskeggr]

Everything has its time. Callie will let you know.