2 cats 1 died (follow up question)

Question
QUESTION: i had 2 cats that are almost 8 years old (brother and sister) i adopted them together. the male cat died. should i get another cat to keep the female company?

Answer   Hi Jerry, well I guess the answer depends on whether or not the remaining cat is lonely. If she seems to miss the company of her brother then getting another cat would be nice for her. Cats are not a pack animal and don't require companionship in the same way that a dog does. If you are around the house alot and can keep her company she will be fine. But, if you are not and she seems to be lost without a companion then you can look into getting a new kitten. Teresa

 Thank you for your question and please write back if there is anything I have not covered for you !
"follow up question"
I am at work 8 to 10 hours a day and I always used to see them play and groom each other. I was told by the local Humane Socity that I should get a cat that is atleast 1 to 2 years old. Teresa suggest getting a kitten. I want to make sure that a kitten would be better than getting an older cat. I'm just worried about my female cat. thanks for all your help

ANSWER: I'm so sorry about your cat.
I am including a very good article about cats grieving. Copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar:
http://www.messybeast.com/cat-grief.htm

I personally would get another cat, and one that is at least a year old, even older. A kitten I think would be too disruptive for all. But an older cat would keep your cat's mind occupied.

There is a lot of hissing, spats, slaps, and growling involved in a new cat because of the disruption in routine and new smells, but that is also kitty communication. To   me that is better than hours of silence and loneliness. Cats need a cuddle friend and someone to groom and play kitty games with.

There is a possiblity that another cat may not work out, but I think it is better to take the chance and find out than let your cat grieve and suffer from separation anxiety.

Hopefully the article I included the link for will also give you some tips and pointers




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks again...i have another question for you. My female cat is a siamese, should i get another siamese cat or are other breeds ok to mix with her?

Answer
Jerry,

I honestly don't know that much about Siamese to give you a correct answer. Maybe one of the other experts in Showing & Breeding can give you more info.


With a mixed parentage cat I would think it would depend on the cat's personalty (the new one AND yours).

I'm including a link that tells the different personalities of the different breeds if that would help any:

http://users.chariot.net.au/~gccfsa/Personality.html

Carol