Question:
We had three cats. Jack, Ziggy, and Poster. Jack does not care for the company of other cats. Ziggy and Poster were best friends. Poster was the leader, Zig would follow him every where. They would cuddle all the time, too cute! Zig would give Poster baths. A week and two days ago we lost Poster to renal failure. Since then Ziggy has been very confused and depressed acting. He would like to snuggle with Jack, but she won't let him. Should we try to replace his friend with another cat? if so should it be with an older cat that is proven to like other cats or with a kitten? Should we give him more time before we try to replace Poster?
Thanks for your advice.
Glory
Answer:
Glory - I'm very sorry to hear you lost Poster. Cats will grieve when they lose a friend, just like people. So, I think, just like people, it's best to give him some time to do that, and to get to accept Poster being gone. Then, when you think he's ready, and when you're ready, by all means get another cat.
I had to rehome a cat (because of an aggression issue) who was my Rocket's best friend. And Rocket missed him very much when he was gone. After about a month and a half I adopted another cat, and it's taking him a while to accept the new cat. They're not really friends, yet, because I think he still misses his first friend. So it does take time.