After the death of a pet, it is advisable to keep the normal daily routine of any remaining pets in the household as unchanged as possible. Maintaining normal meal times, for example, can provide some stability during this difficult time. The more consistent, predictable and familiar the home environment the easier it is for the remaining pet to adjust to changes in their family structure. For anxious and stressed cats, some behaviouralists advocate the use of pheromones (available in sprays and atomizers from veterinary clinics) as a way of alleviating anxiety and stress. These pheromones mimic the cheek-marking pheromone which cats produce naturally and may have a calming effect on the cat.

Once your cat has been allowed a period of adjustment, you might consider getting another companion cat, if your remaining cat is used to having feline company. The way in which cats relate to eachother is very much on an individual basis.

Some adult cats will be more likely to accept a kitten, possibly because the kitten is younger, smaller and less likely to exhibit aggressive behaviour or challenge an older cat for the dominant position. The fact that the older cat may be able to maintain their position in the family structure means that they may be more accepting of the new kitten. Other adult cats may find kittens too active and playful which can be overwhelming for the older cat. If you think this applies to your cat, you might consider purchasing another adult cat with a similar personality and of similar age. Another adult cat of similar age and size may attempt to be the dominant cat in the household, which may in turn lead to aggression between the two cats. But this really depends on the individual cats. There are many cases where two adult cats have become friendly companions.