wrote:
In the last two days I have decided on the Graduate school to attend in
September and DH and I have bought a house. Yes, it has been a crazy 2
days. My question is on how to introduce the Simba and Pepper to a new
house. Both cats have lived in our current townhouse since they were
11 weeks old. The townhouse is two levels, has a staircase, is
carpeted and is in a semi-rural area. The new house is VERY different.
The house is one level, so it has no stairs. It also has NO carpet.
The floors are all wood or tile. The new house is also close to the
campus I will be attending, so it is in a more crowded "downtown" type
area. I am a little concerned because both Simba and Pepper have been
indoor only at the townhouse for 2 years and it is all they know. They
will still be indoor only, but the house is so different it has the
potential to upset them. DH and I plan on moving all the furniture and
boxes first and then the cats in a second trip. Is it best to put them
in a small room at first? Let them get accustomed to the smell of the
new house and then slowly introduce new areas?

This past weekend DH and I were also gone to visit relatives over
night. When we returned home it was obvious both boys had missed us.
Pepper spent all night glued to my ankles. I mention this because
usually when DH and I return from an overnight the boys look at us as
if to say "you were gone...Oh, we hardly noticed". Its nice to be
appreciated
~Jemfur, Simba and Pepper.


Congratulations on the new house and the coming education! You've got
the right idea. The furniture that they are used to and has accustomed
smells will help, and the small room at first is an excellent idea. Is
there an adequate way to keep them away from the outside doors so they
don't dash on you? Something else you might like to try is a bach's
rescue remedy diffuser, i've heard they're great for calming stressed cats.

Kristy