I have a 5 year old kitty and I'll be moving in a few days and my new apartment complex requires that all pets are spayed or neutered. I was thinking of taking my cat to the vet the day before I move and bringing him home to the new apartment a week later. Will my cat be too traumatized?
2006-09-17 01:47:48 · 11 answers · asked by nicola k 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question. I've gotten some really great advice. I think I should add that the reason my cat hasn't been neutered is that I haven't had him for all his five years. I got him from an elderly neighbour who was moved away several months ago. Again thanks for all the replies!
2006-09-17 02:40:34 · update #1
I don't think he would be extremely traumatized but he will be traumatized. He's not going to like moving, under normal circumstances he'd be traumatized by moving. Everything's new, they don't know what's where, different smells, different sounds.
Getting a cat neutered is also a little traumatizing, I think it's mostly the drugs after and disorientation after the fact. Heck, he's gonna get part of his body cut off. Having him not be in the apartment while all the boxes and stuff (a huge stressor for my cat, being locked in a room while stuff was being brought out of the old house), were being moved would certainly help.
I don't think he'll be too traumatized. I'd keep him in for longer (maybe two or three weeks instead of just one or two), or until you decided he seemed comfortable enough to go outside (assuming he's an indoor/outdoor kitty) just to make sure he doesn't run off.
Explain the whole thing to your vet when you get it done. I'm sure they'd be happy to offer some advice on the situation.
2006-09-17 02:01:09 · answer #1 · answered by Mariah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Each event is going to be traumatic no matter what. I would say that going ahead with your plan is okay...but just make sure that you have "his" place all set up for when you bring him home. Try to keep the set-up the same as in the old place for now (if his litter was in the bathroom, and his bed was in a corner of the livingroom, and his dishes were in the kitchen underneath the plant table...stay with this configuration in the new apartment).
Make sure you wash down all walls and floors with a strong disinfectant before placing your furniture and rugs out. Since the building allows pets, you can be sure that your new apartment will have the smell of other animals in it. Try to get rid of as much of this as possible, so your cat won't feel threatened when he gets there.
Why is your vet keeping your cat for a week? Neutering isn't that much of a trauma. The standard procedure is only one day for observation after the surgery to make sure the cat has recovered from the anaesthetic and is eating well.
2006-09-17 02:02:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He should be fine, make sure everything is set up in the home for him (his food, litterbox, toys etc) before he comes home and just know that he may act a little off for a few days due to all the changes. But the neutering and moving will be far less traumatizing than the alternative of finding him a new home.
2006-09-17 01:55:57 · answer #3 · answered by Kmcquestion 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Neutering your cat isn't usually traumatic, but moving him might be a difficult experience for him at first. He'll get used to it though. However, after he gets neutered, I think it would be best for him to spend at least enough days for him to recover in a familiar environment and with familiar company. It isn't a big surgery, so a week should be more than enough.
2006-09-17 01:57:23 · answer #4 · answered by Ricardo P 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you give lots of love and attention I'm sure he'll feel better soon. When you do move him in keep him warm and close all windows and doors so he can't go out for about a week. If he escapes he'll go back to his old home so that's the first place to live. I don't think he'll be traumatised as long as you're there 4 him. Good luck
2006-09-17 02:17:26 · answer #5 · answered by Horse crazy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best bet is to ask the VET, but with my experience, cats are really flexible. Unless the cat is ill, having it spayed is like any operation. As long as you are there it will be OK. Just remember to confine the cat after the surgery to avoid stairs.
Cats love to investigate new places.
2006-09-17 02:06:19 · answer #6 · answered by BirdCatFishlady 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i dont think so because if u get him fixed a day before u move he will be out of it they put him on medicen and he will act like hes high or drunk 4 like 2 days so it ok he will sleep most of the tim i have 3 cats 6 horses and 2 dogs i know
2006-09-17 01:52:23 · answer #7 · answered by kit kat 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he'll be fine.
in the future, get your animals fixed at an earlier age.
not getting fixed can increase the risk of cancers. if their not using it, get rid of it. if it's not there then cancer can't get in it.
i don't know if your cats an indoor cat or not?? but if he got out, he could get another persons cat prego. then there would be two irresponsible pet owners.
spay and neuter!! it a good thing!!
good luck.
2006-09-17 02:13:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's highly irresponsible of you to not have neutered your cat whether your apartment complex requires it or not. Your cat will not enjoy being neutered, but you're being overly dramatic to suggest it might be traumatized. Cats don't enjoy being poked and prodded. Neither do people. But to never go to a doctor would be stupid. Not having your pet neutered is also stupid.
2006-09-17 01:55:03 · answer #9 · answered by rotten_toast 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
No, not at all. Why didn't you neuter him when he was younger anyway? Ever heard of pet overpopulation?
2006-09-17 01:55:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋