We had to put our beloved kitty Chuck down on Friday after 13 years...Our vet recommended it as he had become severely aggressive from some sort of mental illness, medication didn't work (he was so stoned on it he slept over 23 hours out of 24) %26 he had back problems that reduced his quality of life (wasn't able to get up onto the bed without a stool, etc.)...He was never the friendliest cat, but he would show affection %26 cuddle with us on his own terms...Right around the time I got pregnant, he started stalking me %26 biting me (usually in the morning while I was in bed %26 almost always when my husband wasn't around)...We knew we might have problems when the baby arrived, so we made sure to spoil him even more afterward...Two weeks ago he tried twice (unsuccessfully) to bite our 5 month old baby--I knew then that we had to put him down %26 we made an appointment...I'm devastated--it's so quiet %26 lonely without him! Should we get another shelter cat--will it help or is it too soon?
Answers:
Yes
Losing a pet is hard in any circumstance. You have to remember all the love and happiness they give you.
You will grieve over your loved one, but you were responsible for him and you did the right thing, Wanting another is perfectly acceptable and will help in the healing process. I would suggest you might want to get a younger cat that may be a bit more accepting of your baby.
I know exactly how you feel and have lost a few pets over the years some old and some young. It is never too soon to get another pet if that is what you want. A new pet that needs a home is the best way to honor the loss of your cat.
Good luck and I am so sorry for your loss.
Mourn in your own time and you'll know when you want a another cat. Maybe get a slightly younger cat so they can grow used to your baby.
as a veterinary nurse i think having had such a traumatic experience it may be an idea to wait a while as if you take on a shelter/rescue cat they do come with their own problems and not all cats are humanised or well behaved to start with.
however what i always tell people is it depends on how you feel are you really ready and sure you wont compare the new cat to "chuck" and how he behaved prior to his illness then sure go ahead.
it really is personal to each person if you feel ready then go for it
but dont be scared to wait a while there will still be cats in shelters (sadly )
good luck whatever you decide
I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss. I lost 3 cats in the past year to age related problems. One was 21, one 14 and the other 12. We have always had more than one cat in our house. I don't think I could go without one. I think you should get one soon. Maybe not in the next couple of days, but soon. But take your time deciding. Look around at the different shelters. Just remember, a kitten is a lot different than an older cat, as I found out. I had forgotten the days of endless energy. I belong to an animal shelter, and we actually adopt out cats together for one price - two for one. A lot of the cats come from homes where they grew up together so we only adopt them out together. Maybe get two so they can keep each other company.
I wish you luck. Take your time, and the right cat(s) will find you. Also, go to the website Rainbow Bridge and read that beautiful poem. It's sad but it does help a bit.
well first off i am sorry for your loss. secondly i think you should get a new cat or maybe a kitten. if miss oyur cat greatly then i think you should let time time take it's cource. soon you will find it as the right time to get a new cat. when you feel it is the right time then do it. good luck!
-emily
If you have time to train a cat as well a take care of your parental/ household responsibilites then you are better equipped than I am. If not give it a bit of time. Maybe with a time you might want to get a dog instead so your litlle one and the puppy can grow together.
You will know when the time is right.
I would get another cat as soon as it feels right. It sounds like you are already ready for another cat.
I'm glad you're planning on adopting a shelter cat. When you go to the shelter they will probably have an adoptions counselor to help you pick out a cat after learning all about your family and your home.
I imagine you will get some unkind answers to your question, but older cats do sometimes develop mental problems and become irrationally aggressive. So do dogs. It is a recognized condition in veterinary literature. Such animas will attack their owners and sometimes mutilate their own bodies. At the vet hospital where I work we had the case of an elderly Doberman who would wake up from sleep and attack his owners. They loved him and put up with it till he began to literally gnaw his own front paws off. And we have seen three cases of old cats who started attacking their owners. One owner had to be hospitalized.
Good luck with your new cat. Please post an update for us.
I think you should. It will help deal with the loss since it's always fun to have a new pet. Just make sure it's a well socialized kitty. I don't think cats mind babies like dogs sometimes do since cats tend to keep to themselves. I think your kitty may have just gone a little koo-koo coincidently around the time of your pregnancy but not due to your pregnancy.
I'm sorry for your loss, as with a human being there's a mourning period and it may last for a while,if you feel another kitty will help you get through this rough time you should get one but if you have doubts then don't,give yourself some time to grieve,you'll know when you are ready to adopt again.
you didnt get you cat a distemper shot?! all kittens should get that. as far as getting another cat, wait till your ready. and get a vet who knows what the hell hes doing so the next cat you get doesnt die like that!
if i was you i would NEVER get another cat again...you put this poor cat to sleep instead of trying to find another home for it ??? ridiculous...
Hi, I know how painful it is, but sometimes it's good to get one right away. My cat was put down one day, I was crying and mourning but the next evening I welcomed a new kitten and it was a new adventure.
Theres nothing like a new cat/kitten to make you feel good and realize that life can be cruel and hard but also full of hope and joy. Plus, it's kitten season so the shelters are full, it's a good time to go and get a new companion. Good luck!
It hard when you lose a kitty, I personally would get a new one, its good for you and for the new cat - win win situation
purrfectchat.co.uk
I am very sorry for the loss of your kitty. I know what you are going through. my childhood kitty had to be put down at due to kidney failure - i was 19 at the time and it was awful for me. In your case - the cat was getting too agressive and as you mentioned unadoptible - among other things which is why you felt you had to make "that vet apointment"
Another aspect of Chuck's problem could have been jealousy... from Chuck's point of view - Baby was taking over the house - baby was 'stealing' affection. Kitty was jealous that this new baby was infringing on his territory.
(when my new cat "Charlie" was a kitten, he exhibited the whole 'biting the baby' thing too. My cousin and his family were visiting baby was 5 months. kitty was jealous and walks over to him (where he was being held by his daddy) and gives him a soft nip. the baby didnot even feel it.
Back to your story: you felt you did what you had to do for the safety of your family and baby. It is up to you if you want to get a new kitty - (when my childhood kitty was put down, we got one right away) If you do go to a shelter to chose a new kitty for the family, make sure you chose one who gets along with children, (at our shelter we have info cards about the animals and which ones are better suited for families with kids and those that are not.
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