When is it time to get another?

[JamForTea]

It's too early now, I only lost my beautiful girl a week ago. But I hate living in a cat-free home. We are due to have quite a lot of work done in the house which will be complete early September then a couple of weeks after that I return to university full time (including being out on placement full time hours in early October). We would rescue an adult cat rather than kitten but I'm not sure how much I'd have to be around (14 years since getting last cat when our lives were very very different)!!

If a cat settles in the two weeks you have free (and well done for thinking about a mature rescue) then it will get to know your routine fairly quickly. They sleep a lot anyway so all my boys have just slept through the day if I was out of the house working, gaining strength for the fun & games at night, I think.

My only reservation would be to do with the work on the house. In my own experience, it hardly ever comes in on time - and even if it does, you're still usually discombobulated for weeks afterwards. I'd wait until you're sure that your home circumstances will be reasonably clear and settled when the new puss arrives.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Thanks Cozie. Yes it does all depend on the timing of the work being done. I guess it might get to then and I can't face another cat then. I feel I'm still very much in the 'acute' phase of losing our cat and the first time cat free fit many years - I don't want to rush into anything. I do suspect it will be before the end of the year though...

It might be best to wait until the works done. So that new puss isn't too unsettled.

Thanks Choc. Yes I will definitely wait til then at the very least and maybe longer.

Do it at Christmas so you've got time to get to know them before you go back to university.

Get two cats then they'll be company for each other when you're out. Some cat shelters rehome siblings and friends together.

Give yourself time, we have lost 4 cats since 2009 and it usually takes me 6-12 months to be able to think about another cat. Of course everyone is different some people don't need this length of time.

You will know when you are ready.

We lost 2 of ours within 4 days of each other last August. I was distraught and couldn't even think about another kitten. But DH made the decision to get another and by the end of September we had not only one but two new additions...... before I could protest!!!

I'll be honest, It was far too soon for me. I looked after them and did what I needed to do but couldn't get past the fact that they weren't either of my cats that I'd just lost. It sounds horrible but it took me at least six months to love them and accept them, before that they were just there.

I really do wish i'd waited before getting anymore cats but I love them to bits now and wouldn't be without them, they will be one next month but next month is also the one year anniversary of losing my two beautiful babies so its hard. But it does get better with time.

I am also kind of hankering after another kitten (as is DD)...But haven't told dh yet as we have four altogether, not sure how he would feel with another!!!