I'm looking for some advice or maybe somebody to share their experience with me. My wife and I have a kitten named Paws. She is 4 years old. We are moving in 5 days from a 3000 sq ft home to a 600 sq ft apartment in a downtown metropolitan area. Our kitty is an indoor kitty and loves the space in our house to run and play.
Will the small space be really disappointing to her?
The second issue deals with the trip. We are taking 1 car and a huge rental truck to move our furniture. It will take us atleast 2 full days to travel. Our kitty hates car rides. She has only been in the car to go to the vet. We've taken her on a couple car rides lately to try to get her used to the car, but she has the saddest meow that will not let up, her little paws sweat, and she is very tense. I'm really worried about how she will maintain her daily functions (eating, going to the bathroom, etc) during the trip.
Does anybody have any suggestions or advice? I want her to feel safe on this trip.
2006-07-22 19:20:48 · 11 answers · asked by RMC 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
we drove our kitten from boston to denver. we had to smuggle her into a couple of hotel rooms..but it worked! she freaked at first but then she slept on the dashboard and that little space by the rear window.
this might sound nasty but we also kept a little poobox on the floor in the back just in case...but she was good, always waited poor thing!
and cats are only disappointed if their food isn't gourmet. don't worry about the lack of space. it will be so busy exploring to notice.
2006-07-22 19:25:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 2⤋
Your cat will adapt to the smaller apartment, but you must provide her with more activity, time you play with her and a large climbing scratch post will help her be happier.
The travel is going to be more of a problem. Could you fly? Then leave her with a friend at your new home? You go back and do the journey with your wife.
You can try a Bach Remedy called 'Rescue Remedy', many people use it on cats and dogs when they are stressed and it has a calming efect. There are no side effects and you can use it often over the two days. You either drop it onto the fur or into their drinking water.
How are you providing food, water and exercise for those two days? The best idea is for your to use a car where the seats fold down and you can cage off the back of the car. so she can run around and not be in the carry cat box all the time. You will need to buy a cat walking harness and take her for walks on grassy areas every couple of hours. give her water every time you stop the car and make sure you stop every couple of hours minimum. Where are you staying overnight? Make sure you keep windows and doors closed wherever you stay as your cat may try and run outside and get lost. Also do that at your new home for at least the first week.
As a last restort you could speak to your vet about sedatives for the journey. Not recommended but they may be able to advise you. I mean for you cat, not you!
2006-07-23 07:47:38 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cat's never like to move but they do adapt rather fast! The best thing you could do for your cat to avoid the actual 'moving' trip is to not take it along. Either leave the cat at the house while your moving into the other one, and bring the cat on the last day...or bring the cat right away and let it get settled into the new place while you continue to move. That cut's the cat's trip down to only one! Also the cat will be 'talking' quite a bit during the trip, talk back softly and quietly and make sure he/she is in a travel cage. The amount of space the cat will be missing , is not enough to worry about. It may be way smaller to us humans, but to the cat it will be fine as long as he/she gets to run around. Also during the move and a few weeks after, don't be surprised if your cat doesn't eat as much or has problems urinateing. This is common in moving cats from an area that they are used to. However if the symptoms last more than a few weeks, there probably caused by something else! Remember, your not the only one who the move is going to effect, and trying to treat your kitty as you would like to be treated!
stv
2006-07-23 02:37:45 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask the vet for a sedative to calm the cat or you will not be able to travel with the constant meowing. We traveled with a cat from NY City to Missouri a lot of years ago and the cat meowed the whole trip. Since the new apartment will be much smaller, have a vertical play area so the cat can climb, exercise and lounge. A disposable turkey pan makes a great cat litter pan while staying in the motel. Your vet may also offer some advice about carsickness.
2006-07-23 02:28:20 · answer #4 · answered by kriend 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We brought our cat from England to Southern France in the car, driving through the channel tunnel. The cage is big enough for Toby (12 y.o) to stand up and turn around. He maiowed for the first hour then went to sleep. The trip took two days, we stopped for a few hours sleep in the car and let him run loose - he explored the inside of the car then sat on us to help us sleep.
Our vet said a sedative was not necessary and it wasn't, on this occasion, every cat is different.
Don't worry if she doesn't eat during the trip.
On arrival we put him in a room with his bed, blanket, scratching post (all familiar smells, don't bring cleaned things!), bowl of water, favorite food, biscuits, litter tray. Just to let him get over the journey.
That was a year ago, he is fine.
2006-07-23 02:50:10 · answer #5 · answered by XT rider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I moved from TN to FL, I also brought my cat with me. I was so worried that she would cry the entire trip, but thank the good Lord, she sat in her carrier and didn't make a sound. I bought a leash and collar for her, so when I stopped at rest areas, I took her out of the carrier and let her get some exercise too. Like your cat, my cat hates car rides. She associates them with going to the vet! When you feed her, only give her a small amount, so she wont get car sick and throw up. Give her water and when you stop, be sure to empty the water and give her fresh. Also, you may want to check with your vet and see if he/she recommends giving your cat something like benedryl to calm her down. Good Luck with your move.
2006-07-23 02:29:26 · answer #6 · answered by Dorah C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow that sucks! I dont think that the change in size will be that bad and even if she misses the space it will get usedto it. as far as the ride is conserned, I would just put it in the car and go. do not pay attenchin to its meowing that will just make you feel bad. the cat should be fine when you are not moving but I would not go by my advice because all my cats love cars! I would both search online for tips and call a vet for advice. I hope you like your new place!!!!!
2006-07-23 02:26:34 · answer #7 · answered by starfishsandwich2000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i moved w. 2 kitties from the Midwest to California, 2.5 days in the car. i used pet taxis. cats like to hide and the taxi was like their personal cave. at every rest area, i tried to let my kitties stretch. i would put out food and litter, water; they were totally uninterested. they were too freaked out to care about anything. at night in the hotel they would relax and take care of daily functions.
As an aside, i hope you are renting from U-haul. Our truck broke down 2-3 times on the 2.5 day trip. it was miserable AND it added an extra day to our travels. customer service was difficult to get a hold of and they were slow to respond.
2006-07-23 02:32:32 · answer #8 · answered by a_muse@prodigy.net 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We moved cross country with a similar cat.
Talk to your vet. He/she can give you a tranquilizer to help her (and you!) relax during the trip. Take along her favorite food and plenty of water.
As for the smaller apartment, she'll adapt. Again, familiar toys will help. If you have room, a "kitty condo" might help.
Good luck!
2006-07-23 02:26:42 · answer #9 · answered by ckm1956 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your kitten should do fine i take my cat with me every wherte i go and she does just fine
2006-07-23 06:28:45 · answer #10 · answered by sdelight_192002 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋