I realize this truly isnt child related but this place has been such a great resource for information, i thought this might be a great place to start for this as well. I have 2 indoor cats whom have been thru several moves in their lives. The last one being the hardest. They are 10 years old now. We are about to up and move again, hopefully for the last time, and I dont want them to freak out the way that they had the last time. So Im looking for ideas, hints, anything that might help them.
With our last move, they pretty much secluded themselves in our bedroom, where they have a cat tree and where they sleep, and they only come out to eat and use their box (which is in the hallway outside our room). They have no involvement outside of those 2 rooms, or so it seems.
Anyone know how to make this less traumatic on them?
Thanks.
Hi there, I have cats and make them catnip toys, easy to make. I just cut out a shape out of felt and stuff the shape after sewing 3 sides, then sew the remaining end. That will keep them happy, and maybe put a catnip plant in the yard for when they are able to go outside. Hope this helps. Good Luck !
R.,
When we moved our three cats to where we are now, we moved them one week ahead of us. I shut them in one room,and checked on them a couple of times a day. Then we unloaded the house, leaving that room for last. When it came to that room, we let them out, and they ran for cover where ever they could. They seem to feel they have free reign on the house, and have been doing fine since. (it is now 8 years)
W.
I wanted to respond and give you a slightly different perspective. I have a cat about the same age as your's. We haven't moved with him; however, in the last few years, we have noticed a change in his behavior. He is an indoor/outdoor cat (hard to keep a cat in with a dog door and two dogs going in and out). He used to be out doors a lot and roaming about the house, socializing with us, etc. Lately, like I mentioned above, in the last few years that has changed. He sticks inside more often and he sticks to the bathroom or under my dresser in the bedroom. At night and in the mornings, he will be social. I have attributed it to him getting older and maturing.
Good luck with the move, but remember your cats are getting older too.
Put butter on the paws of your kittys and put them in the garage (or a closed bathroom) for about an hour. They will walk around after licking the butter off and the scent of their little feet from licking them so much will be left behind. They will never leave as their scent is all . When you let them in the rest of the house after an hour, paws will be clean and the scent will continue to deposit throughtout the house. It leaves no mess as long as they stay in the garage or bathroom for at least an hour. I love my kittys and this has always worked for us. One hour re-location training is what I call it. Best of luck. P.
Hi R.,
I don't have any advice at all on cats, but I just wanted to let you know I empathize with your difficulties juggling work and children. I too work in a hospital. I have been a nurse for quite a long time, but didn't start having children until late. My oldest is 7 and my youngest is 8 months, with two others in between, and I'm 40, so that should tell you something! Our mama's hearts want so badly to be with our children and just be mama's and wives, but sometimes life just doesn't work out that way. I don't know what your position is, but I work through a staffing agency and am able to pick my own days, get paid more and stay out of the hospital politics as an added bonus! I wish you the best of luck with your pregnancy and both your babies. This time flies by so fast, so treasure every single moment! Take care and God bless!
There's a product called Feliway that helps cats adjust to new surroundings. We've had to move 3 times in 3 years and Feliway has helped us a lot. I think it contains hormones that help them to calm down. You just spray it on corners and edges in their new place and it helps them to adjust easier. It's also available in a plug in atomizer.
You can also get Rescue Remedy for cats and put it in their water to ease the transition.
Feliway is available at pretty much all pet stores. You might have to look at Whole Foods or health food stores for the Rescue Remedy.
Good luck!
HI R.,
Butter their feet! Stick all four paws gently in soft butter and put the cat in a secure place where they will be OK for about 2 hours or so. They become obsessed with cleaning their feet and when they have licked themselves clean, they are ready to live in the new place.
Then add some catnip and let them explore!
Good Luck,
Sun
Hi R.! I have moved four times in 10 years with 5 cats. The move last May was the toughest for them and I have to say that the advice Jill F. gave was spot on. The most important things to do are close the cats in a bathroom before the move so they do not see everything being taken away. Then get one room set up for them before you let them out of their carriers. It is a wise idea to butter their paws for all the reasons mentioned by others and it is also good to get some Rescue Remedy and put it in their water. The other important thing to do that everyone seems forget to do is NOT wash their bedding before or immediately after the move. Let them keep something cozy that already has their scent on it. If the cats hide, do not try to force them out. They will come out in the own time. And if they don't - well, let them live their lives however they are most content to do so. I have one cat that prefers to live under the bed all day and then behind the couch at night. He's happy - and that's all that is important. Good luck to you!
I'm not a big cat person, and have never moved with one, but am wondering if having some of the plants around that cats are supposed to like would help. I know there's catmint, and catnip (are they the same?) and think I've seen other plants mentioned in the gardening magazines that cats like to have around.
I also think the person who mentioned it might be more their age than the moving that has changed their behavior may be right on target.
Hi R.! Wow, you are one busy mom, and now on top of having a new baby, and moving, you're stressed about your cats. I would think that if your cats keep to one room, they're not as prone to mentally 'pick up' the disturbance of the packing up of the household? Perhaps you could ready them for another move by gradually packing up the contents of their 'chosen' room, to get them ready mentally. I know when our family was moving, our outdoor cat got so upset, he did a disappearance act. and later after we had moved, our neighbor caught him and we went back to pick him up. We moved 40 minutes away, so that was no hardship. Hope this helps you some, CJ.
Hi R.,
I have moved with my cats sooo many times, even 2 x across country. Every time is stressful for them and me. However, here are a few tricks:
1. Have their space ready for them, and move them last. Do not take away their familiar things until the last minute when you move them. Try to set those things up immediately, before you unload them from the car.
2. Keep them in one room for a few days to weeks after they move. Cats feel safer in a smaller space.
3. For the car ride you may be able to get a sedative from your vet. It helps a lot.
4. There is a product on the market that is like aromatherapy for cats. It is feline pheremone that plugs into the wall with a little air dispenser. It is fine for humans and human children-no effect, but calming for cats. Try to get one and plug it into the room you will have them in.
Good luck.
