I've name changed for this as it's pretty outing.
My husband and I can't agree about whether it's too soon to get another cat.
We had two cats, siblings, who were nominally the pets of my oldest DC, aged 10 and 8 years. Cute cats, affectionate and good with the babies. The more timid of the two disappeared one afternoon over a month ago and hasn't come back. He was seen mid afternoon but didn't turn up for dinner (very out of character) and hasn't turned up since. He was desexed and didn't tend to go very far away. We have all been devastated and have searched and searched, including the neighbour's property, called the cat pound, put out fliers and gone on a lost pet website which we check every day. He was microchipped but haven't had anyone report him. The cats are inside at night but wander during the day, but usually just to the nearest bed.
We live in a quiet street but it's possible that he was run over or maybe that the just wandered too far. I think he's likely dead and that the chances of his turning up are very very small.
The DCs and I went to the vets to get new flea treatment for the remaining cat last week and there were 3 calico kittens for sale and of course they all really really want one. I'm inclined to say yes for a number of reasons:
- It's the long summer holidays here (Australia) so we're all around more and it's a good time for introducing cats to each other.
- The remaining cat is gentle and has a good temperament and should be ok.
- The daughter whose cat the missing one was is emotionally quite highly strung with a tendency towards mild anxiety. She would spend weekend afternoons with her cat, reading on the bed and sort of murmuring to him. I think the responsibility of a pet is good for her mental health. The remaining cat pretty much never moves from her younger sister's bed and it's not the same for her, especially as her sister won't let anyone else lie on there. DC1 has cried and cried and cried about her missing pet but was excited about a new one. This is probably my main reason.
- We aren't irresponsible pet owners, our previous two cats were mine from uni days and lived until 14 and 18 years. A new cat would be adored and looked after properly.
My DH thinks it's a bad idea for the following reasons :
- It's way too soon (I think he's grieving for the missing cat, although we all miss him too).
- Our cat may still turn up and he'll feel replaced if there's a new cat in his place.
- Introducing a new cat to an established cat may be much harder than we think and we may be minimising this.
- If the missing cat turns up we'll have 3 cats which seems like too many.
AIBU for wanting a new cat? Or is my husband right?