Should I replace my cat?

[seekings1mplicity]

I'm now a one cat household since my little one died. Should I let the surviving boy be an only child, or should I look to adopt a new kitten?

I work away from home three days a week and don't feel good leaving him to his own devices.

Hello seeking I was wondering how you were doing - a little better I hope.

As for a new kitten I think it depends on the survivor's personality really. The two boys I have now would, I think, be quite adaptable with a newcomer or two, and both would be lonely on their own.

But I don't think my lovely, stately old lady, who had to be PTS recently, would have approved of new kittens at all. I suspect she would have been perfectly happy as an only cat.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

There's no right answer to your question. Some cats blossom as an only cat and some definitely prefer company. I've had both kinds in my lifetime.

If your cat seems happy with your company and isn't trashing the place or calling for the previous cat, I'd let it be an only cat. If the cat seems to be pining for company, I'd get another cat. Kittens in pairs are a good choice as they keep each other company. A cat of the opposite sex can also be a good choice, once it accepts that the resident cat is top cat.

I'm in the same dilemma. I lost my gorgeous boy in June and since then his sister has been a bloody nightmare. She is constantly yelling at me, scratching the house, keeps me awake all night, but is so aloof I worry a new kitten will do more harm than good. She loved her brother and hasn't been the same since we lost him, but that doesn't mean a new cat will help. So torn - I just want her to be happy and I don't think she is, but I don't want to make her more unhappy.

Thank you @CatChant I seem to be getting better at pushing the thoughts to the back of my mind. But they do come back with a lurch from time to time. He really was my soulmate.

@Youcancallmeval so sorry for your loss. And even harder if his sister has taken it so badly. It's heartbreaking.

@TheLongRider I must say, Big Cat seems to be a little more on the blossoming spectrum. They came to me at the same time but are not siblings. Because the little one became ill quite early on, they didn't really rough house and play the way siblings might have. But they were good friends. Biggie is perhaps a bit clingier, but he's eating and playing and caught a mouse. My main concern is that he doesn't like to be left out or left behind, so when I'm out at work for 10 hours that feels a bit unkind to him.

Of course, this may not have anything to do with Big Cat and might just be me wanting to fill the void left by my incredibly quirky and charming little one.