Getting a new cat just after old cat has died

[tinselandlights]

Our 'old' cat was run over and died on Monday. He was only five but was a sweet boy. My DH has now leapt with both feet into researching new cats.

He's been contacting owners on Pets4Homes (I've read the stories on here and know it's unregulated) and is getting really angry with me when I urge caution.

He wants a kitten as our old cat was a rescue who had many issues and had numerous operations, plus had some stress behaviours due to its previous neglect. Local rescues don't seem to be open due to covid.

Today (Friday) he had a call with the owner of a Bengal kitten being given up as the owner has a dog who dislikes it.

I like cats but never grew up with them and am v sad that ours died, but it all seems a huge rush. Do any other cat owners feel they want to just have a breather when their beloved pet dies before getting a new one? I feel like he is not letting himself grieve and is going to get us a really unsuitable cat.

I can understand your concern but I think its a very personal thing.

I have one friend who had 6 cats the last of which passed away 3 or 4 years ago and she has been pet free since.

I have another whose cat died last year and she took on a rescue cat within a couple of months. Sadly they passed away recently due to an undiagnosed heart condition and she's already considering her option because the cat shaped hole in her life is just too big.

Fwiw I got my cats from Pets 4 Homes as kittens. I discovered several months later that the person I bought them from was possibly overbreeding and reported them to the RSPCA.

That aside they were clearly well cared for and have grown to be healthy, happy, loving pets. They are both girls and I hope my buying them has saved them from being bred in the same way if nothing else.

But it's only been four days since our cat died and DH has already been very disappointed that I've said no to two kittens - it just seems so fast and like you say, they might be fine on Pets4Homes or they could be unscrupulous unregulated breeders.

Sorry about your cat. It's heartbreaking when that happens.

I have to ask, is where you live 'cat suitable' for an outdoor cat, or do you live on/near a road where cats are often run over? That would be the factor that would make me wait and possibly not get another cat.

If you live near a busy road, or even a main 'estate road' that's used regularly and not everyone drives to the speed limit, it's likely that another cat will get run over, especially if you get a young one.

Bengals especially, if it is a true bengal (many are cross breeds or simply tabbies), are very active and tend to wander, especially males.

We've always had cats, and never actively sought them, but took a 'lets see what comes along' stance. It never takes long.

If there's any doubt about the road, I'd look for a female or two as they tend to wander less.

I'm sorry to hear about your cat. I don't think there is necessarily any problem with getting another one straight away - I have had cats for many years and when one goes I usually get another a few weeks/months afterwards, but it was once only a few days.

But I agree with the previous poster that you should think about whether where you live is suitable. I certainly wouldn't get a Bengal - many years ago I had a half-Bengal female, she loved to roam and was killed on the road when she was 4.

We now live in a rural area near a quiet road, but a couple of years ago we had two young cats killed on the road within 18 months (a male, then a female). To avoid it happening again we had the garden enclosed (professionally done) so our cats can enjoy outdoors safely. I'd rather let them roam of course, but sadly it isn't an option.

Look on local fb for a local rescue.. I got a dkitten in December. Paid £30.