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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

When to get a new cat?

22 replies

beanhunter · 29/08/2017 17:17

We lost our lovely Charlie on Sunday night after he was hit by a car. He was a rescue and definitely a cat happier outside - he used to get upset when we tried to persuade him to be an inside cat. Obviously there's a big cat shaped hole in our lives now.

We have another cat who is an old girl at 15. She was fairly unimpressed initially by Charlie's arrival but had come to cope well with him and was even playful at times. She has been really agitated since he has gone - is looking for him and yowling and much more unsettled (she was the same when he previously went for a wander for a week and only settled when he returned.

I am keen to get another cat - I enjoyed having two and our daughter did as well. How soon is too soon? Is it wrong to do so because our other cat initially struggled? Or actually given that we moved recently is it a good time as I have 2 weeks off work and the existing cat isn't that protective of our new house as her territory yet?

Thanks and if any of you have any recommendations for places to adopt a cat in south Notts I'd be grateful for suggestions.

OP posts:

Mrscropley · 29/08/2017 17:20

Sorry for your loss. .
Our boys are only 5 but have lost dcats in the past.

Why not get 2 this time if your other cat is getting on? Then the new one will have company in the long term.

Good luck and don't forget to update with pics.

Original poster

beanhunter · 29/08/2017 17:21

I think my husband might hit the ceiling if i suggest two more....

We only had Charlie for 18 months :(

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Polter · 29/08/2017 17:27

So sorry

I waited days before getting PolterCat. LastCat was 17 when she got run over and had to be PTS on a Tuesday, by the Thursday I was at the rescue 'having a look' and then brought PolterCat home on the Saturday. He made me laugh that day when I was so sad. I knew I would get another cat and with so many in rescues it felt like the right thing for me.

Mrscropley · 29/08/2017 18:54

Maybe sweeten him with a 2-1 deal idea? An already paired up duo form a shelter maybe?

Toddlerteaplease · 29/08/2017 20:23

I'm in Nottingham, there are several rescues around that I can't remember the name of but there is Bramcote Rescue that are quite well k own.

Barbaro · 29/08/2017 22:53

Just get two the same colour and make sure they aren't in the same room for a while. By the time your husband realises they are already part of the family.

Mrscropley · 29/08/2017 23:30

Barbaro that's genius!!
Def go with that op. .
Why would you be happy with one new cat to love you when you can have two?

Original poster

beanhunter · 30/08/2017 08:47

Ok so I may phone a few rescues today.....he's not sold though. And def not kittens as we both work so that's not appropriate right?
And will be requiring tips on introducing to old girl who is still desperately looking for the other cat and I don't know how to show her he's gone.

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Original poster

beanhunter · 30/08/2017 11:16

Just seen the most beautiful pair of young cats. Brother and sister. Both quite timid but girl more so. They are 6 months and can't be separated. I've never had cats that young. They could be inside cats apparently (which post Charlie feels reassuring!). Tell me I'm not being stupid? They are totally different appearance and temperament to Charlie. Would our older cat be ok? The lady at the rescue said yes but she's got so many cats there as a volunteer and she's desperate for space. They are being sprayed on Friday.

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Original poster

beanhunter · 30/08/2017 11:33

These are they....taking dd to see them later. Working on the husband....

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Barbaro · 30/08/2017 11:42

Eh he'll never tell the difference between them, just hide one before he gets home.

Original poster

beanhunter · 30/08/2017 11:46

The girl would probably hide anyway as she's soooo timid.
Never had kittens before. But they are gorgeous.

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Mrscropley · 30/08/2017 11:48

Sold. .
To beanhunter. .
Absolutely gorgeous!!

BigcatLittlecat · 30/08/2017 11:50

There's no right or wrong in this situation. Our big cat was PTS on the Monday evening (I had never seen my dh cry - but that's a whole other thread!) By Friday we had a rescue kitten in the house. It was totally the right thing for us to do! She now rules the house, the garden, the neighbourhood...the world if she could! That pair look very cute!

Original poster

beanhunter · 30/08/2017 11:50

So assuming I can persuade him (they can't come home until sat) and daughter is good with them as they are so timid....how long do I keep them separate from old girl. Planning on keeping inside for a long time.

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bengalcat · 30/08/2017 11:52

I'd take them . They'll all sort out the order of things eventually (although one of my cats still hates the dog - after 8 yrs ! ) Re going out that's obviously up to you ( probably ! ) but cats like to roam . Husband and old cat may sulk for a while . Sometimes a kitten breathes new life into an old cat .

Mrscropley · 30/08/2017 11:52

Have you got as safety gate you could have up so they can see each other without direct contact?

MsMims · 30/08/2017 11:53

Are you going to keep them as house/ garden cats? The loss of your other cat has proven the roads by you aren't safe for cats. I think unless you're going to change their access to the outdoors it would be selfish to get any more (putting your want for a cat above a cats right not to be killed prematurely in a traumatic way). Sorry if that view isn't what you want to hear, but just putting the cats needs first.

Aside from that they look very sweet! Timid is good as you don't want them to challenge your older cat too much. Although I wouldn't personally get another cat(s) so soon when your girl has had so much to contend with: moving, the loss of your other cat, at least with two they will hopefully entertain each other and not harass her too much. Be careful to manage her stress, especially as she is quite elderly.

tinytemper66 · 30/08/2017 11:56

Not lost a cat but had a new one Monday and our 10year old hasn't attacked her yet but isn't amused at all by the interloper! Is eating kitten's food and snarling at her when the kitten comes to close. She just wants the older cat to play but she is having none of it. 🐱

Original poster

beanhunter · 30/08/2017 11:57

Plan would probably be indoors. I'm scared of what happened. Though it was somebody speeding - our neighbour saw it. Road is 20mph by rights.

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MsMims · 30/08/2017 12:11

If they're indoors from day one they won't know any different so would be easy. You could always build a catio/ cat proof the garden at a later date to give them safe access to the outdoors.

Sorry for the loss of your boy. Infuriating that it was someone going too fast, although even a car going at 20mph would kill. We had a similar issue when we moved, even though the limit has been lowered people still flout it.

Original poster

beanhunter · 30/08/2017 14:57

So I think we will get them. Munchkin wants the girl to be called lily. Suggestions for the boy?

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