He is an outdoor cat, and he is buddy with the dog. They both stay outside. I am moving now and want to take the dog along, and am not sure how to handle the cat.They say cats are territorial, if I take him with me, will he try to come back to his familiar environment? or will he stick around in the new place because his buddy the dog is there? Am not sure what to do!!
I dont want to leave him behind, but i dont want him to get killed trying to find his way back home !! Plus could he survive if he stayed here, after being separated from the dog ??
HELP !!
2007-08-19 15:43:17 · 8 answers · asked by BerryPink 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Consider making him an inside kitty. Cats get confused when you moved them and will sometimes run away. Even inside kitties do this, which is why it is best to confine them to a single room for the first 2 weeks to allow them to adjust.
Still, what is the alternative? You can't leave him there with no one to take care of him. At the very least, move him and keep inside in a single room for two weeks to allow him to adjust if you're not willing to keep him inside permanently. You'll need to put food and water in that room, along with something for him to sleep on and a litterbox. and be prepared for him to FLIP when you move him. But keep in mind he'll calm down in a week or two.
2007-08-19 15:54:52 · answer #1 · answered by starbreezetarot 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My vet had an outside cat for 14 years, the barn burned down and the outside cat became an inside cat and never set foot outside again, he didn't want to,he lived to be 21. I've heard people say to make him stay inside the new place for at least two weeks so that he knows where he lives for sure, and will be less likely to try to return to his old territory. I had an outside cat, and he went to a new home with my mom and became an inside cat, and you can't push him out the door, he likes it inside better. Make sure he will use a cat box. Get him fixed if he's not already, so he's less likely to spray, and treat him for fleas if you don't do that already, it would be a shame to get an infestation in your new place.
2007-08-19 15:55:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He will stay wherever his family is. If you move and just leave him, you are not only killing him but subjecting him to a horriable life. I see people abandoning their cats at my apartments all the time, just thinking that someone else will take care of them. Well they all get picked up from animal control and killed at the local shelter. Don't leave him behind unless you have asked someone else to care for him, but if you leave him with someone he doesn't know and just expect him to stay, he probably will run off and you will never see him again. You should take him with you, keep him indoors for at least a week or two, and then if you really want to start letting him outdoors again you can, but just so you know.. in most city limits it is illegal for cats and dogs to be running loose. If you live on a lot of property in the country its probably fine. You will also want to make sure that your cat is up to date on his shots and is neutered. If not you need to get those done to keep him and other cats safe. I am glad to see that you care about what happens to him. Letting your cat be outside does not make you a bad pet owner. But leaving your cat behind does. The two people before me had great answers!!!
2007-08-19 15:56:22 · answer #3 · answered by Brianna T 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bring him in as an indoor cat, then get him used to a harness while you have him outdoors with the dog at the new place. They don't travel back to old haunts as much as the movies make it seem.
We converted two stray cats to indoors and they're fine inside so I know that you can get yours to do this as well.
2007-08-19 16:49:35 · answer #4 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do the leash and harness number with him when you move. Cats learn their way home by smell not by sight. That way you can familiarize him with his new "territory". Keep him directly under your control till you get a feel for the new neigborhood - the traffic patterns, predatory dogs, neighbors who do not take kindly to wandering cats, etc.
Cats do settle down as they age and their desire to roam lessens. He will be much happier and do better with his doggy pal and you and his former territory won't mean anything to him anymore.
2007-08-19 16:04:45 · answer #5 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
thats true cats are territorial....its gunna be tough..becuz its known the outside and the environment for along time
2007-08-19 15:48:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Leave the cat and get away while you can.
P
2007-08-19 15:50:33 · answer #7 · answered by PK 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
might not work out.
2007-08-19 15:53:21 · answer #8 · answered by dcrc93 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋