we just moved two cats from their home of over a year to their (our) new residence. they are slowly getting used to the strange new place, but there are so many sights and sounds that are making them jumpy.
any advice as to how to help them become better acclimated to their new surroundings is appreciated! thanks in advance...
2006-09-10 05:01:00 · 12 answers · asked by patzky99 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
Keep the cats inside, so they do not run away.
As others have said, show them the litterbox a few times, and where their food and water are located.
Leave them alone, excpt for occasional offers to play, or some petting and stroking. Cats seem very place-oriented. They are already stressed enough by the move, do not hassle them further with a lot of coaxing and nagging.
Let them explore at their own pace.
Here's a rather odd, but helpful one: put some of your dirty laundry (socks are especially good) or old, well-worn shoes, near where the cats are holed up. These items smell *especially* like you, and will comfort the cats. They will offer a familiar scent of home!
My cats like to lay in my dirty laundry basket, and on my shoes and sandals, anyway. :-)) Petey is laying on my sandals, right now :-))
They will settle in, once things settle down.
A happy welcome to your new home! :-))
P.S. We moved my b/f's six-year-old cat from his home to mine, when he went overseas, and for the first couple weeks or so, all she did was hide under the bed, sneaking out occasionally to eat or use the litterbox, then - zip! straight back under the bed!
I thought we had irretrievably traumatized her, and that she would spend the rest of her life under the bed! :-))
Not so! She ventured out more and more, sorted it out with the other cats, and now spends most of her time in the herd, following me from room to room, or laying around in the living room, snoozing! :-))
She likes to lay on my dirty laundry, too! :-))
Right now, she is sitting, quite contentedly, on the end of my bed, quite close to me, licking the last few drops of milk from the bowl of cereal I just finished...
I think your cats will be fine!
2006-09-13 00:16:27 · answer #1 · answered by zen 7 · 4⤊ 16⤋
The first thing we did when we moved was to put the litter pan in a specific location and actually bring them there 2 or 3 times. It doesn't take very long for that part of it.
Other then showing them the route and location of their food and litter they simply need to explore and adjust on their own. There is no easy way of doing this, it is up to them to do all their exploring and they will reach their comfort level with their new home.
Also showing them love and attention as they always had before will help them realize only their home has changed but the love in it is the same.
2006-09-10 05:17:02 · answer #2 · answered by sf612 2 · 14⤊ 4⤋
Give them things that are familar to them maybe familiar toys. Make them their own bed in baskets. Give them Temptation Treats.
Use music.. see what kind they like music seems to work wonders when the cats like the music you're playing. Talk to your cats, pamper them alot!
2006-09-16 07:42:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 11⤊ 2⤋
put them in one room until you think they are no longer as scared as they are
then in a day or two you should be able to give them run of the house
when we move it upset one of cats so much she got the runs and was throwing up but this worked
2006-09-10 06:50:32 · answer #4 · answered by breakwhatz 2 · 14⤊ 2⤋
Give them their own room or space and surround them with their (and your) stuff. They just need some time and before you know it they will be their cold nosed selves again. Oh and dont change their food for a couple months if you have considered it and keep using the same kitty litter too.
2006-09-14 12:42:31 · answer #5 · answered by trancedancenae 3 · 7⤊ 5⤋
Don't let them roam,limit them to one room for awhile til they get more used to their surroundings,then introduce each area one at a time.Keep all doors shut and give them access to the different area one at a time. Good luck and be very patient.
2006-09-10 05:04:43 · answer #6 · answered by sookie1969 2 · 14⤊ 3⤋
go to pet shop-believe it or not,there is a spray u can buy,that releases calming pheremones similar to a nursing cat mother.cats who breathe it,feel more relaxed,calm and content,as they did as nursing kittens.u wont detect any scent,but the cats will.i forgot what its called,but in the us,u can get it at petsmart-probably most pet shops carry it.
2006-09-10 05:09:50 · answer #7 · answered by Lyn K 4 · 11⤊ 5⤋
just let them suff around and get use to it. just watch out that they don't spray. some cats do that to mark their taerroiorty. good luck.
2006-09-10 05:12:36 · answer #8 · answered by teddybearleogirl 3 · 11⤊ 3⤋
yeah...that's what happened with my cat...just let them do whatever it is they do...let them search little place...they'll get adjusted later on
2006-09-10 05:05:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 14⤊ 2⤋
Most of these suggestions are really good and advisable, well, except the throw them in a shower, I think that would just freak them out more.
The only thing more I could add would be to keep the house sounds similar to the ones experienced at the old house. Odd huh?.. I made a big move from a very close neighborhood to a country setting with no neighbors, my cat didn't handle it well and the only time he seemed relaxed was when my hubby played music, because it was a familiar sound to him.
So Maybe get a tape recorded sounds of the environment where they used to live Along with any of their favorite sitting areas or cushions placed in areas that will be just for them.
Of course a little catnip goes a LONG way, and playing helps release some good energy for the cats and starts making new wonderful memories.
2006-09-12 01:01:52 · answer #10 · answered by Craptacular Wonderment 6 · 6⤊ 17⤋