A question about cats & moving

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A question about cats & moving

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Contributor: K101 K101
I didn't know where else to ask this question & figured since a lot of you guys have cats too, it'd be a good place to ask.

Have you ever moved homes with a cat? Or other pet, but most especially, I'm curious about cats. My cat is super strange & doesn't like change. It's like it stresses her even if I move furniture, so I worry if I move places then she will be stressed or not happy. Have any of you had any experiences with moving and cats? How did it go? Is it possible she could get used to it & be happy?

My cat loves the yard. She loves to bath in the sun & lay around on the porch, so I'd like to let her eventually go outside if I move. First though, my biggest worry is moving with her at all. I want her to be happy. Also, I wouldn't want to keep her cooped up in the house since she truly loves and enjoys the outdoors. I wouldn't let her out right away, of course, but still. It's so scary to think she might not be okay in a new house.

Any stories you guys have to share?
06/15/2013
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Contributor: bratcat bratcat
My cats don't care for car rides, or being in crates in general so moving was a pretty big stress on them. At the time we only had a single carrier and a neighbor was nice enough to let us barrow her small dog crate where we hard our two oldest cats crate together for the ride. They all rode with me in the car while my mother did the closing for the house/got the keys so i waited with them on the back porch for a little while and talked to them to calm them down some. At the time of the move we didn't have any furniture in the house which i think was a good thing because it gave the cats a couple days to investigate the whole house without being able to hide in something and worry us.
It still probably took them all about a week to adjust completely to the move, which is pretty inevitable.
I would say if you're moving into a new place have a designated room for the cat with all her favorite things in it like a favorite blanket, and keep her there until you really have everything settled in the places you want them to be, then let her out to explore the house. It may take a little time to get her to leave said room though so just leaving her alone with he door open is a good idea. leave a space for her under a sunny window so she can still sun bathe. and eventually when you think shes ready and comfortable let her have a little time outside to explore some!
06/15/2013
Contributor: KrissyNovacaine KrissyNovacaine
My cat is similar in that he hate change, but he does ok every time. He hides for a day, is pissy for a week, and gets over it. They may not like it, but unless there is a health issue that is making things hard on them, they will cope.
06/15/2013
Contributor: Hummingbird Hummingbird
My cats never seem to mind but then again when I used to move around a lot I would purposely take my cat on a day trip with me just to get them used to it. Of course they always stayed in their cat carrier's in the car keeping them safe and secure and us too!
06/15/2013
Contributor: Lana Darling Lana Darling
I've had cats all my life, and each of them has reacted differently to moving. Over all, though, they've all just taken a little while to get used to their new surroundings, and then they were fine. The most important thing is to be supportive and let them know you're still there and will be there for them. They're kinda like humans, that way.

When we moved this last time, our boy cat hid in the linen closet for a few days. Our girl cat, on the other hand, spent a whole week sniffing every nook and cranny between checking on the boy to make sure he was okay.

As for letting your cat outside, I'd suggest scoping the area out, first, and seeing how other cats survive outdoors. Our last neighborhood had a lot of cat fights, and every few days, we'd find a dead cat on the side of the road, so we kept ours inside there. The new place seems a little more cat-friendly, so we may eventually let our girl cat outside again. The boy cat's an indoor cat who likes to go out on the leash occasionally, so we take them both out that way right now.
06/15/2013
Contributor: js250 js250
I have one neurotic cat left--the other one does not care as long as I am around, lol. He is terrified of change, travel, etc. When we moved, we crated him and kept him on he seat beside me. When we got to our new house, I let him out in a 'safe' room. A quiet bedroom with ALL his items, some of my unwashed clothing--familiar smell--and left the curtain off the window and made him a shelf to lay comfortably on. He was able to go in the rest of the house after about 3-4 days when he claimed his new room. Then after about 3 weeks, I let him outside. You can get the small rectangled wire kennel panels for outside with supervision for your kitty--It helps during the 3 weeks of no outside alone!! I did not want him to go back to our old house!!

Good luck!!
06/15/2013
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by bratcat
My cats don't care for car rides, or being in crates in general so moving was a pretty big stress on them. At the time we only had a single carrier and a neighbor was nice enough to let us barrow her small dog crate where we hard our two oldest ... more
oh wow. Thank you so much for sharing that, bratcat. I'm really glad because I have been worrying my behind off about my cat over this possible move. The good thing is, she doesn't really mind car rides, but the whole new place thing is scary because I don't know how she'll take that. It was really helpful to hear that yours adjusted within a week. That's relieving because I have been worried my Fuzz would never ever adjust.

Thank you also for the tips! I really do appreciate this. That's a wonderful idea to keep include some of her favorite things in a room. I read that cats faces have some type of pheremones or something & that you can rub a cloth or clothing article on their face, then rub the cloth on the new home in rooms and such. Supposedly, she'll feel more comfy.

The thing is, Fuzz really doesn't have a whole lot of favorite things. She's such a very unique cat. She doesn't play with her toys. She does have places in the house she likes like a box I have with a pillow on top for her, so that may be something that would help.

I'm so terrified if I move homes, she won't be happy ever again. I hope that's just my overactive imagination.

The sunny window is a great idea! I'm glad you said that. That sounds really good. Just letting her bathe through the window & waiting until I think she's ready. I am scared she'll run away if I ever let her out. But keeping her cooped up forever in the new place would be so sad since she absolutely loves the outdoors. She isn't a roamer, so I don't really think she'd go far, but I can't be for sure of that either.


KrissyNovacaine: LOL. Sounds like Fuzz! I can't even move the bed out without her getting all freaked out. Even if I have a new box put in the floor, she's all freaked out. She'll come in the room and stick her neck out all curious with huge eyes, then she slowly walks around it, and eventually realizes it's not some big monster & just lays on top of it. LOL.

That's really helpful, though, Krissy. I'm glad you shared. It's so relieving to know that other people's cat -- like yours -- does get over it. Thank you. I have been literally worrying myself crazy about this! Lol. So knowing these things is so nice. She doesn't have health problems, so maybe she will cope well afterall. One good thing is the relationship I have with her. She's a mommy's girl! Lol. I can tell she's most comfortable when I'm in the room or when she's in the bedroom with me. I can also tell that she loves me & feels safe around me because when we have company or something that makes her uneasy, I can see her get comfortable when it's me & her or if I pet her. So that makes me think that as long as I'm in the new place with her, she'll manage. I really love this cat. Lol. It's almost pathetic. Can't help it though.

Hummingbird: Hey! That's a good idea to take her on a day trip before the move. My Fuzz does well in a car, so I might be really over-worrying this way too much. She's been in a car several times -- once for the vet & a few more coming back and forth from my grandmother's. I send her to my grandmother (another huge kitty lover, so I know she's safe there) when I go out of town. I was so surprised at how well she did in the car. She meowed at first & then was calm. She gets in our cars all the time & loves to sniff around in there. If we come home & don't get out of the vehicle right away, she trots out there & will climb in the cracked window or door, when I open it. We'll sit in the car & watch her snoop around. She'll even get up on the dash and just lay! It's adorable. She's calm even when my car's running, but if we crank up my partner's truck, she does flinch. She does pretty good though, especially considering she's a cat.

Lana Darling: Thank you too for your advice & for sharing how it's gone for you with different cats. These comments have been so helpful & relieving for me! I've been thinking, if we do move, then I think I want to make sure I can be there for the first day or two without leaving for long periods of time. That way, she feels safe & not like we just took her to a new home and left. I think I'm going to want to watch her and be right with her for the first few days & that might make her feel better. I like that you said that -- they're kinda like humans. Funny because that is exactly what I said earlier is that cats are kind of like people in their needs & stuff. I've always said animals (especially cats) have personalities just like we do & they all differ. I can tell you're good with cats.

LOL. That's interesting how different cats act differently. I guess that just goes to show they really do have different personalities. I could see my cat sniffing around & being all curious. I'd like that because I'd feel like she would be less sad about being somewhere new. It sounds crazy, but I actually worry she might feel sadness! Strange, but they do have a lot of same emotions as people & I do think they can get their feelings hurt, so sadness may be another feeling they have. It sounds like all your cats did just fine, so surely she would too.

That's so sweet that she checked on the other kitty to make sure he was ok! Aww!

A leash isn't a bad idea, especially to be on the safe side & still let the kitty out. We know the neighborhood well & are there daily, so I don't think there are other cats that I've seen. The bad part is... there are dogs in the neighborhood! In fact, the lady next door to the house owns a bunch, but keeps them in a fence. We know her, so I stopped by and asked about her dogs just so I'd have an idea of how they were and how many. My cat is used to our weiner dog, but that doesn't mean she'd be ok with other dogs. That's awful about the cat fights. I hate that.

JS250: Ah! I'm so glad you posted. I wondered if you'd see this & knowing you had cats too, I'd hoped you'd share your insight. Thank you darling! That is a great idea to keep him in the crate beside you in the seat. Fuzz would like that. I have read that keeping your scent on some old clothing when you move is a good idea for the kitty. I once tore up an old, worn t-shirt and scattered it all down our road when my cat went missing because it had my scent & I was so desperate. I'd hoped she'd smell me and come back. I still can't handle thinking about that. It makes me so sad I end up crying. So now it's just Fuzz & me. But I will remember that -- to keep an old shirt or something with my scent. I actually think that would be a big help for Fuzz. She loves sleeping with me & since she's comfortable with me, that could be a big help. I'll have to get her a kitty bed or something to keep her in her safe room and add a worn t-shirt of mine or something to her bed.

Ahhh! The kennel things. I never thought of that. Thank you for sharing. That is a perfect idea! It would be great because then she doesn't have to be forced inside, cooped up when she loves the outdoors, but she wouldn't be able to go so far she'd be hurt. You are a genius!



Ok. I'll shut up for now. Thank you guys so much for sharing. I feel a lot better about it. Whew! I can finally stop stressing out so much.
06/16/2013
Contributor: .kaycat .kaycat
What I would do (and have done for my two cats) before i moved to my new place as in before i i moved my things and self in i brought them first let them spend the night first and let them smell all they needed to and explore. I put their favorite toys, blankets and things that smelled like my boyfriend like one of his shirts and one of mine. All doors open i put these things in a closest with food and water as they explore around they have a little safe zone. from this point when Im moving in closest door shuts with them inside and we move in furniture first. Then release them. and unpack the.rest while ging treats talking sweet and playing with a string or toy as a family both cats can enjoy and take their minds of off stress.
06/16/2013
Contributor: .kaycat .kaycat
Also that safe zone will be their little place until theyre ready to be in the whole house
06/16/2013
Contributor: SaucyxGirl SaucyxGirl
When we moved we made sure that every thing was set up before the cats came out the carriers. That way there wasn't a lot of moving in still going on around them. Scratching posts, condos, tunnels, perches, beds and toys were already unpacked and set up. Their new litter box's were also set up (yes we saved some litter from their old boxes and placed it in there with fresh litter so that they could smell it) We also sprinkled a little cat nip around the house to encourage exploring. As they explored we tried not to startle them and just let them do their thing.

One of mine had some issues but my male quickly found that it was fun to "hide" in the boxes as we were unpacking the rest of our stuff lol

The female was a little stressed out at first, but she calmed down eventually and adjusted to their new home.
06/16/2013
Contributor: bayosgirl bayosgirl
I moved across the country via plane and was really worried about my cat. I took him to the vet and they gave him Valium, which really helped. He slept most of the journey! Settling into his new home was a breeze..but then he's always been fairly laid-back.
06/16/2013
Contributor: chicmichiw chicmichiw
Quote:
Originally posted by K101
I didn't know where else to ask this question & figured since a lot of you guys have cats too, it'd be a good place to ask.

Have you ever moved homes with a cat? Or other pet, but most especially, I'm curious about cats. My ... more
Aw, cats can be tough to move -- my cats hate the car, too, so not just the change of home but also the drive there was traumatic.
06/16/2013
Contributor: lana'sart lana'sart
Quote:
Originally posted by bratcat
My cats don't care for car rides, or being in crates in general so moving was a pretty big stress on them. At the time we only had a single carrier and a neighbor was nice enough to let us barrow her small dog crate where we hard our two oldest ... more
those are all very good ideas
06/16/2013
Contributor: Wicked Wahine Wicked Wahine
I moved all five of my girls into this new house just over a year ago. I used the pheromone product, Feliway. You mentioned hearing about cat facial glands and how they mark their territory and it gives them comfort. This mimics that and is available in diffusers that you just plug-in, (like a Glade Plug-In), or a spray bottle, and maybe other forms. I used the spray on any new cat furniture or bed. I have used the plug-in diffusers at the rental I used to live in. Every time I introduced another rescued cat, I had those up to calm everybody down. (They have no smell, so don't worry about it bothering you.) Some of my cats are more neurotic than others, so I noticed a definite, visible benefit for a few of them, while the others I couldn't tell.

Whenever I've moved cats, we always have a room or bathroom set aside that is where they stay at first because it is more manageable for them. Put everything they like in there and have it quiet & out of the hubbub. I recommend using the sheets &/or pillowcases from the bed that you & the cat have slept in for a few days & keep that in nest spots, like a box, or a cat bed. Stinky socks are also a big hit, just sayin Also start the pheromone stuff a little bit ahead to give it time to build up, if you use it & I say why not try it, especially with a skittish cat?

This last move, I was able to see how they did being released into the empty parts of the house, vs the already furnished. I only had the bedroom set they were familiar with and no other furniture when they were brought over. I let them out one at a time and they were unsure and worried, UNTIL they saw the bedroom. One by one they ran in there, sniffed around & went under the bed, or furniture. Within about 5 minutes, they were all in there taking up their customary positions on the bed, or in their cat condo. It helped that I got in bed to read & we all took a nap with the door cracked open so they could explore.

If your cat is used to you having music or TV in the background, then I recommend having that, because I was shocked how TV calmed down my new rescue cats after first bringing them home. I tried to keep everything quiet & calm, but they howled and paced around, until I finally turned on the TV. Then they curled up & sacked out for a day!!! They must have been used to background TV & the familiarity soothed them! BTW, those two also liked the vacuum, go figure, crazy cats!

Having tried all different ways now, I say stick with the vet recommended one of limiting the space she has until she re-adjusts, then you can leave the door open & let her explore after a day or two, once everything has already been put in it's proper place. Try the pheromone and if don't need to use up whole thing keep to use anytime she is going to be stressed. I spray it in the carriers before they have to go to the vet. Oh, I also leave the carrier open in the room and find some cats like to hide in there until they are comfortable.

Anyway, I didn't want to get too long & I knew that was going to happen, sorry! Ask me questions in email or PM, if you want! I will tell you how I tackled the outdoor issue, too! But let me warn you, if she has never been on a leash before, DO NOT attempt it for the first time outside, or you may be in for a mess. They need to be adjusted to being on a leash & some just never accept it. What I did was buy a pet stroller, (yes, like for babies), but enclosed and made for small dogs or cats. I loaded a cat in it while inside, then took her for a stroll around the grounds, or we just sat outside & sniffed the breeze. It was a nice way to get some of my girls familiar with the area and the smells. Oh no, I' am blabbing again. OK, I need to stop for now, lol! As long as she is with you for parts of the day, she will be fine, really!
06/16/2013
Contributor: KrissyNovacaine KrissyNovacaine
Quote:
Originally posted by Wicked Wahine
I moved all five of my girls into this new house just over a year ago. I used the pheromone product, Feliway. You mentioned hearing about cat facial glands and how they mark their territory and it gives them comfort. This mimics that and is available ... more
My mom uses the pheromones for her skittish cats she's rehabilitating and says that it helps a ton.
06/16/2013
Contributor: Kitten has left the site Kitten has left the site
When I moved Mischief from her first home to my home, she kinda scouted it out a bit then laid down under some furniture. Both my cats don't seem to mind it, and it only took them hours to get used to being back in the apartment after coming back from getting fixed.
I always let mine just wander, it seems to put mine at ease knowing they can look around, but I do show them where their litter boxes and their food and water are first so that they know.
06/16/2013