Adopting a new pet would be a great idea. If you are going with adults, be sure to get a humble cat instead of a dominant one. This will help her get used to him faster and better. Depending on your cat's character, she may or may not accept a kitten. You'd have to assess that yourself or ask someone at the shelter for advice. For some cats it's better to get a kitten as their maternal instincts kick in and they get busy trying to care for the kitten. This was my case. I have two male cats. I got a kitten for my older as he was/is a very playful fella, so a kitten was definitely the right choice. For others, an adult is better, as adults are usually less active and will not get in her way like a kitten would.
Good luck. I hope you find the right match for her. I'm sorry about your loss. It must have been real tough on you guys.
Hi,
Sorry for your loss, & for Lillie's too, she will grieve, our old Cat (now also deceased) did when we lost her companion, though as she was already a great age herself at 16, & I was home during the day, & she also liked to be alone, we didn't replace him as felt in that situation it was better for her, though we had already lost her sister when she was 2 years old, so we rescued a Tom cat as a Companion then, & after the initial settling in spats, they were great friends for many years
I've a lot of experience of keeping Cats, & yes I too would agree to get a male Cat, less competition, & they settle in together much quicker, & he will likely let Lillie rule the roost...lol........but as you say your Cat is timid, I wonder if she is also a quiet natured Cat, who wouldn't appreciate a boisterous Kitten hasseling her to play more often than Lillie might be comfortable with, even the most chilled Kitten may be more of a handful, depending on how playful Lillie still is??, having recently had talks with our Cat sanctuary about a companion for our new Cat, for the same reasons you mention, I personally would go for an older Cat, perhaps between 2 - 8 year old, if you rescue again, I'm sure the Sanctuary can help in choosing a suitable mate
Good luck
Better a male than a female, since females can tend to be a little rivalrous toward each other and if Lillie is a very shy cat, this could be a problem. I'd try for a slightly older kitten, say, 6 months, and get the mellowest male you can find. (Getting the kitten a little older gives you better cues to his grown-up personality.) Lillie won't like it at first, but she'll likely come around.