Help with a 2yr old cat that just lost his older brother. Will we ever be able to get another pet with him??

He lost his companion. It is just life if a person lost there best friend and someone came up and said here is a new best friend you would be pretty mad too. In time he will be able to tolerate another cat but I would wait a while before you get another sibling for him wheiter it be a cat or a dog. I am so sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry to here about the loss of your kitty. I'm sure you will be able to get another cat and/or dog at some point. It's always hard to know how long to wait, but it seems you (or your wife and other kitty) might need a little more time. I just got a kitten about a month ago and my other cats hissed and growled for awhile (2 of them still do if he gets too close) but they all basically get along fine. At some point it would probably be good for your 2 year old to have a new friend. Until then just give him lots of love and reassurance that he is OK (and the same with your wife).

Give this plenty of time, it will accept. Keep them separated for awhile and just enough to see each other, through a door, let them see that they will be fed together, and get a rope, one they cannot eat and swollow and put a toy ball or something on each end, let them play with each other on each end of this rope. Put it away when you are done, cats swollow and strings and ropes get caught up in the stomach or they choke on it!I don't care how big it is, they will find or chew a piece of it of! Also never put them face t face. keep kitten in a secure room with the bottom closed off so big kitty don't get ahold of any of it, even a large long board, blocks etc. It will take awhile, some differ than others, some get ajusted right away, some, like my older took nearly 6 months, but she is an unusal case so don't get freaked on that statement about mine. You know the best idea is to wait for some time. It does seem too soon. Let your cat grieve and your wife too. Our cat went nuts looking for our other cat once she died and cried and howled at night, it made us hurt more for her, we had her 17 years. Give it time, and get the right information on how to introduce a new member to the family. Our cat too, was the queen of the house and thought we could never have another cat, Time and patience and the know how. Do some research and even talk to the vet, they usually have pamphlets to help with this. I am deeply sorry for your loss. It hurts so bad, I know. I am up all night hoping to get help by rushing my cat into the vet beating on the door before they even open, afraid I will lose her this time. if you are cat people, stick with cats, dogs need more training than some are able to give and then end up giving the dog up or hitting them by losing their temper, not saying you would, just saying it takes 2 years of constant training depending on the dog you get, some are trained easier. You can get another cat in time, and do what I said to do at the top of the letter, also, you must let your older cat know that he is the king of the house and given the most attention. Good Luck and God Bless. Again I am sorry for your loss. P.S. you have nothing to apoligize for, you don't have to please everyone, just you, and your wife, and your kitty. You are a good person, you will do just fine, give it time.

We had two cats from the same litter. We lost one back in March, he was only 1 1/2 years old. His sister Sugar seemed okay but very clingy, she would not leave mine or my husbands side. I took one week off, and spent it with my cat. Before returning to work, I got very worried that she would be lonley. We got a 4 months old kitten, At first I didn't think it was going to work out. But I did everything it says in the books. (Seperation, bringing a scent to one another, ect... ) Within two weeks (this is the normal amount of time) They we're getting along, and by the end of the 3rd week, they began cuddeling together.

It will only get harder to get another cat, or dog once the resident cat gets used to being an only animal the chances of introducing a new pet become less likley, also with age... It's best to get a cat of the oppisite sex, and a kitten so not to threaten the cat. Also as tempting as it may be, you have to keep the animals seperated, and the main cat should have the run of the house, once he is showing intrest put his food near the door where the new cat is. Then take turns putting the cats in a cage and allowing them to see eachother, without letting either get to upset... if this happens cover the cage with a towel, and try again. You can't take this process to slow... but you may ruien your chances by taking it to fast... Good Luck!

There are a number of things you can do to help a grieving cat to overcome the loss. Minimizing change gives the cat time to come to terms with the loss of a companion cat. Keep the cat's routine the same. Changes in feeding times or even simply moving furniture around can cause further stress.

A grieving cat may go off its food. A cat that goes off its food for several days is in danger of a potentially fatal liver disease called hepatic lipidosis. Encourage eating by warming food slightly or putting water or meat juice or so. Sit with your cat during meal times to provide reassurance. Don't be tempted to change diets to stimulate appetite as this may cause digestive upsets. If the cat does not eat for three days seek veterinary advice.

Spend more time with the cat grooming, stroking and playing. This will give a positive feel to any changes in the house that the cat senses.

Don't attempt to replace a lost cat immediately. While your remaining cat may be missing a long term companion, she is unlikely to welcome a stranger when she is still unsettled about the loss. A new cat at this time simply provides an extra source of stress.

Like many species, time spent sniffing and nuzzling the dead body of their companion may be a necessary part of the grieving process. It can therefore be helpful to bring the body of a euthanased cat home rather than have it cremated at the vet's.

Whenever dramatic changes in behaviour occur, the cat should always be checked by a vet for any underlying physical problem. Unresolved behavioural problems can be referred onto animal behaviourists.

Any time I have ever brought a new cat into our home the other cats are usually pretty cranky. This little invader is in THEIR territory. There is usually a lot of spitting and hissing and growling on their part, and one cat in particular will stamp around for a long time muttering and grumbling to himself about the intruder. It usually takes them about 2-3 weeks before they finally decide that the little creature isn't going to go away and then they welcome the new cat into the "pride".

I have never had a cat immediately accept any new animal, dog, cat or otherwise (though we did have one cat that really liked the children's rabbits). Next animal, please give it at least a couple of weeks to settle in - You didn't give the little kitten or your other cat a fair chance to let them learn that the kitten could become a part of the family.

Absolutlely! I think you may have been a little to quick to get the cat to begin with. You need to be confidant and persisant in adding another member to your family. Your cat was probably still morning and reading both of your feelings. Cats also have a tendency to have problems adjusting to new animals (they are very independent and have great attitudes). So, when you decide its the right time to introduce another cat; remember that it can take a long time for adjustment. There are alot of books and suggestions to introduce another animal. I think you are already at an advantage as your cat has already lived some of her time with another animal! We have been told to use a comfortable space for your cat to introduce the other cat (reinforce that it is her/his space). Then continue to do that over time. My cats took about 2 weeks to finally get along. Surpisingly, I came home from work one day and they were both cuddled together in a pile of clean towels. It was a picture that I knew things were going to be okay! Good luck to you!

Hi there...it is quite normal for cats to grieve over a lost feline companion. The introduction of a new friend may have been too much at this time as he's already most likely feeling overwhelmingly stressed. He may eventually be able to have a friend, but sometimes it takes awhile and even then the introduction must be done slowly and gradually since this is a stranger in his home.

Here's a web article about this and how you can best help your kitty: http://www.messybeast.com/cat-grief.htm

The first stage of grief is activation. During activation, the bereaved cat may spend hours or days looking for the missing companion. If the missing companion is a human family member, the cat may approach the door whenever someone enters the house. Outdoor cats may search their territory or sit on the doorstep waiting for the absent companion. If your indoor/outdoor cat starts searching, you may wish to restrict its movements for several days as normally home-oriented cats (and dogs) have been killed on the roads as a result. This stage is followed by depression. Over a few weeks (occasionally longer), periods of depression grow shorter and less frequent and normal behaviour returns. Normal behaviour may include some permanent behavioural changes related to changes in territorial rights or social standing.

On average, the healing process takes between two weeks and six months. During this time, a grieving cat will need reassurance and attention. This doesn't mean forcing attention on a withdrawn cat, but it does mean little things such as offering food treats, catnip or new toys to draw a withdrawn cat out of its shell or to reduce a suddenly clingy cat's over-attachment. If the cat is severely affected or shows no signs of overcoming its grief, a vet may prescribe anti-anxiety medication. You may also want to consider complementary remedies, but if you do, make sure they are ones approved for cats since many human preparations are toxic to cats. There are a number of suitable homeopathic remedies and suitable Bach remedies.

If the cat is now on its own, some owners ask if they should get it a new companion to prevent loneliness. While this may work for the more sociable and extrovert breeds, it doesn't work for all. The new cat will be seen as a stranger and a territorial invader. For this reason, if you anticipate the death of a pet due to age or non-contagious/non-infectious illness, it is usually better to introduce a new companion before the ailing pet dies to allow the newcomer to form a relationship with the existing cats.

Allow the surviving animals to work out their new social order themselves. As a human, you will miss subtle scent and body-language cues that they use. Also try not to unintentionally reinforce any behaviour changes unless you are willing to accommodate permanent changes. Although food treats and extra attention will help a depressed or withdrawn cat in the short term, try not to let the cat become more finicky or more over-attached (this can lead to separation anxiety when you leave the house for any reason). Cats are creatures of routine so try not to change routine too much as this will cause additional stress. If the absent companion was a dog (that needed walks) or a person, a change in routine will be unavoidable. If possible, try to establish and stick to a new routine, not too dissimilar to the old one, as soon as possible. This will allow a grieving cat to deal with one stress factor at a time.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

Though it may seem an odd question, how are you responding to the loss? Cats are sensitive to changes in human emotions, behaviour and routine. If you are upset, your cat will respond to this and may become anxious, depressed, agitated or physically unwell. If you are finding it difficult to come to terms with the bereavement, whether human or animal, you may find it helpful to talk to a bereavement counsellor. There are a number of online communities as well e.g. alt.support.grief.pet-loss .

When there has been a human death in the family, there will probably be upheavals and pets' needs are low on the list of priorities. Try to make time for your pet, preferably a regular time each day. If there are numerous arrangements to be made following a death, consider boarding your cat at a cattery (preferably a FAB-approved cattery if you are in the UK) for a week or so to allow you to concentrate on such matters. Explain the situation to the cattery staff - good catteries will notice signs of stress in a cat and it helps them if they know the underlying cause.

I would say give him time to re-coop from losing his brother, then if you feel it's the right time, find him another playmate. And do spend time with your wife and cat. If you have toys for him, take the toys and play with him, by tossing the toys to him, unless he doesn't want to play, then I would say let him alone for a bit, and if he decides he wants to be friendly again because he's suddenly lonely again, he should begin being his old self again. Although it does sound wrong to leave him be for a bit. But it's true, cats realize not to bite the hand that feeds them.

even in a normal situation, to introduce a new cat or pet into your hosue may be tough as its invading and territory. Not to mention ur 2 1/2 yr old has just lost hi sbrother. He will have to go settled down before you try to introduce him another sibling.

SO please let patience and time guide u through this..