Advice needed - getting a second cat

[OneFlewOverTheDodosNest]

Hello everyone - I'm looking for a bit of advice about our cat situation.

We bought 2 brother cats together last year so they could keep each other company and they've been really lovely together. However sadly one of our boys was killed last week in a RTA and his brother is now really pining and clearly missing the company of his more dominant brother - he seems a bit lost without him.

We're devastated about our poor cat but equally worried about his brother who must be really lonely being left on his own whilst we go to work.

Is it possible to get a second cat in these circumstances? I've been told that you can't bring in unrelated cats as they just act as rivals but was hoping that his young age and more reserved personality might mean that it would work.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Desperateannie1]

Hi one, I'm so sorry about your cat. We went through the same last year only brother and sister. It was so sad for us but blooming awful watching the remaining cat pine.
Like you we thought about another cat because our remaining cat would be lonely and was so obviously sad. But also like you I'd read that another cat wasn't like replacing a sibling so we waited and waited. We got special foods and spoke to her lots and generally made a fuss of her.
After about a month she picked up and now I genuinely believe she likes being the only cat. It's me who misses a second one! But now I'd be scared to put her nose out of joint.
I'd never say never but our experience was to nurse the remaining cat through the heartache and then see.

[RubbishMantra]

I introduced a kitten to our 4 year old male last summer. It wasn't love at first site. There was lots of hissing from 4 year old for a good few weeks. He was most put out. Kitten was determined to befriend him and never gave up. Now they're thick as thieves.

Sometimes the younger one annoys the elder, and a bit of petulant yowliness ensues.

I did pick a breed that like other animals though, and are exceptionally friendly.

[Tigerstripes]

We have always had unrelated cats and they've also got on - to an extent. You will never know what will happen but you can mitigate the risk by:
Knowing what sex your remaining cat likes/dislikes when he meets other cats in the garden;
Knowing if he gets on better with smaller, unthreatening strange cats;
Knowing if a younger cat/older more settled cat will suit better.
Going to a charity and particularly asking for the cats that have demonstrated that they like other cats.
I'm so sorry about your other cat. We lost ours last year in a RTA too and, a year on, we are still devastated and not ready for another. Luckily our remaining cat loves being an only!

[Tigerstripes]

There are a lot of cats in that post!

[OneFlewOverTheDodosNest]

Thank you everyone. I am considering leaving my cat as an only but he's really pining - he's even off his food (which is definitely not like him!) - and DP thinks that it's kinder to get a second cat.

Might go talk to some of our local cat rescues and see what they say.