uld give me suggestions on what to do to make the transition in the new place as easy as possible, ,they are all geriatrics, and have never moved before, they are already upset about all the boxes and stuff that they are nt used to ... please help im worried that I will upset them too much......
2007-09-02 10:59:55 · 5 answers · asked by visituhere 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
I moved around a few times with my cat and from what i've learned is first find out if previous tenants owned pets. If so then either have the carpets cleaned if the landlord did not have it done, or febreeze the entire house as a temporary solution so your cats do not smell the previous animals, this could make them nervous. Also keep their litterboxes and food/water bowls away from windows (I put them in the bathroom for the first few weeks), also have a "lounging area" for you pets that is away from windows at first, if the area you are moving to has alot of traffic then the lights at night could spook them when driving by and shining through the window (my cat really flipped out about this when we moved from a fairly isolated area to an apartment in the city). Another thing you could do as a transition (and your cats will not like this at first but will get used to it) is the first week or two put a collar and leash on them and take them for a walk around the new area every couple days(front and back yards, the block, or even neighborhood its a personal decision) so they can examine the new area without getting out of your sight. Lastly on the car ride over I didnt put mine in a cage or carrying bag, I let her ride in my lap so she could see where we were going, cats are curious creatures. After about a week or two you can move their litterbox (or keep it in the bathroom, i did i found it more convinient to clean up since she loved to throw her cat litter around) and move her food/water bowls. They should be more comftorable about this time to roam around themselves, my cat still likes to go outside and check out things but shes comftorable enough now that she stays with me so I dont have to use the collar and leash. And of course keep plenty of toys around to keep their minds busy. I even had one friend who bought her cat a "cat treehouse" which the cat used for a "safe zone" when she got scared. I've never done that for my cat but it would be worth a try if you would like. I hope i've been helpful and good luck with the move.
2007-09-02 11:23:28 · answer #1 · answered by flutterby_cowgirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you get there, put them all into one room with their food, water, litter, some 'safe' places to hide like empty boxes on their sides with towels in them, and let them get used to the one room first for a few hours.
We did that, got all our stuff moved in, every door closed then went and sat down on the floor by the door to the room and opened it up and just sat there talking. The cats came one by one to be over by us, were very hesitant to move past us for about half an hour, then started exploring once the first one went out of sight into another room. Once all of them were out of the first room, we started putting stuff away and left the cats to look around, then moved the litter and food into the kitchen and showed them all where it was so they wouldn't be confused.
It'll take time. Let them look around at their own pace.
2007-09-02 17:22:49 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try putting feliway diffusers at the new house ( you can find them at petsmar or petco ) also be sure and introduce them to only one room ( tthe room you will be in the most hopefully - or your bedrom ) at one time. Leave them in there for 2 days at a time or more before showing them more of the house. Be sure and upack their most familiar things first, cat beds, scratching posts whatever, use the same littler and food and bowels. But the most important thing is the one room at a time, since they are older you might want to limit them to one room for at least 4 or 5 days And be sure they have a safe quiet dark place to hide and don't disturb them there
2007-09-02 11:08:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a cat's mind is very different than a human's and if u change too much around, they aren't used to the environment. Just like if they see a new cat in they're house, they get scared that they are being taken over. It may take them time to adapt, to the new surroundings, but if you have someone hold them the whole car ride up, they will be just fine and eventually get used to their new house. GOOD LUCK
2007-09-02 11:09:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are moving a short distance they will probably be ok. But if not, then go to your vet and ask for some tranqulizers. A friend of mine moved from Iowa to California in a U-Haul. She and her cat are still doing great, he is 10 years old
2007-09-02 11:45:13 · answer #5 · answered by the fnho 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋