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Helping a rescued cat with a house move
My friend Margot has a rescued cat that, unfortunately, abused before Margot
got her. The cat has gradually come around but is still very uncomfortable with any kind of change. Even just moving a piece of furniture around disturbs the cat. Margot has just purchased a house and will be moving there from her apartment in about a week and was asking me for advice about the best way to do the move to minimize the stress on her cat. Since I've never had to do a move with a cat, I suggested she ask on this newsgroup but she's never really worked with newsgroups so I'm asking on her behalf. I'll forward any replies to her as I see them. Does anyone have any suggestions? Margot was wondering it it would be best to put the cat in a local cat hospital (which also does boarding) for three or four days until the move is complete? She could also keep the cat at the new house during the move but would then have to confine her in a room for the whole day while the movers bring things in so that the cat can't escape. We were concerned that the cat might be very stressed - and also exposed to germs and infections - at the cat hospital/boarding place. We are also worried that leaving the cat confined in the new house during the move would also be stressful; clearly, the cat would hear all the commotion and be very aware that it was in a new place and was also confined, which surely wouldn't help its stress levels. I have to assume that many of the users of this newsgroup have had to move house with cats so I'd like to get your best advice so that I can pass it on to Margot. -- Rhino |
#2
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Helping a rescued cat with a house move
I moved with a cat. I left her in the bathroom at the old house until
everything was moved. Then, I moved her, kept her confined in the bathroom of the new house for a couple of days. On the third day, I left the door open a bit and her them find their way out. Showed her where the litterbox would be and where to find her food. She was stressed but, with some of her own things strewn around, so at least some of the scents were familiar, it wasn't too bad. "Rhino" wrote in message ... My friend Margot has a rescued cat that, unfortunately, abused before Margot got her. The cat has gradually come around but is still very uncomfortable with any kind of change. Even just moving a piece of furniture around disturbs the cat. Margot has just purchased a house and will be moving there from her apartment in about a week and was asking me for advice about the best way to do the move to minimize the stress on her cat. Since I've never had to do a move with a cat, I suggested she ask on this newsgroup but she's never really worked with newsgroups so I'm asking on her behalf. I'll forward any replies to her as I see them. Does anyone have any suggestions? Margot was wondering it it would be best to put the cat in a local cat hospital (which also does boarding) for three or four days until the move is complete? She could also keep the cat at the new house during the move but would then have to confine her in a room for the whole day while the movers bring things in so that the cat can't escape. We were concerned that the cat might be very stressed - and also exposed to germs and infections - at the cat hospital/boarding place. We are also worried that leaving the cat confined in the new house during the move would also be stressful; clearly, the cat would hear all the commotion and be very aware that it was in a new place and was also confined, which surely wouldn't help its stress levels. I have to assume that many of the users of this newsgroup have had to move house with cats so I'd like to get your best advice so that I can pass it on to Margot. -- Rhino |
#3
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Helping a rescued cat with a house move
Rhino wrote:
My friend Margot has a rescued cat that, unfortunately, abused before Margot got her. The cat has gradually come around but is still very uncomfortable with any kind of change. Even just moving a piece of furniture around disturbs the cat. Margot has just purchased a house and will be moving there from her apartment in about a week and was asking me for advice about the best way to do the move to minimize the stress on her cat. Since I've never had to do a move with a cat, I suggested she ask on this newsgroup but she's never really worked with newsgroups so I'm asking on her behalf. I'll forward any replies to her as I see them. Does anyone have any suggestions? Margot was wondering it it would be best to put the cat in a local cat hospital (which also does boarding) for three or four days until the move is complete? She could also keep the cat at the new house during the move but would then have to confine her in a room for the whole day while the movers bring things in so that the cat can't escape. We were concerned that the cat might be very stressed - and also exposed to germs and infections - at the cat hospital/boarding place. We are also worried that leaving the cat confined in the new house during the move would also be stressful; clearly, the cat would hear all the commotion and be very aware that it was in a new place and was also confined, which surely wouldn't help its stress levels. I have to assume that many of the users of this newsgroup have had to move house with cats so I'd like to get your best advice so that I can pass it on to Margot. -- Rhino Try to leave her in her favourite place with some of your to be laundered clothes so she has the scent of you constantly around - then after seeing the vet get a couple of low dose valium, around 2mg. This will make her a bit drowsy for the transportation and pop her in a warm room with your to be laundered clothes. Another trick to help bonding (sounds revolting but) spit in their mouth. It's an old working cattle dog trick that works with cats and especially kittens - what else do you think they are doing when they try to lick your face - 'they' the little manipulating beasts are taking ownership of YOU!! |
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Helping a rescued cat with a house move
On Jul 5, 11:30*pm, Netmask wrote:
Rhino wrote: My friend Margot has a rescued cat that, unfortunately, abused before Margot got her. The cat has gradually come around but is still very uncomfortable with any kind of change. Even just moving a piece of furniture around disturbs the cat. Margot has just purchased a house and will be moving there from her apartment in about a week and was asking me for advice about the best way to do the move to minimize the stress on her cat. Since I've never had to do a move with a cat, I suggested she ask on this newsgroup but she's never really worked with newsgroups so I'm asking on her behalf. I'll forward any replies to her as I see them. Does anyone have any suggestions? Margot was wondering it it would be best to put the cat in a local cat hospital (which also does boarding) for three or four days until the move is complete? She could also keep the cat at the new house during the move but would then have to confine her in a room for the whole day while the movers bring things in so that the cat can't escape. We were concerned that the cat might be very stressed - and also exposed to germs and infections - at the cat hospital/boarding place. We are also worried that leaving the cat confined in the new house during the move would also be stressful; clearly, the cat would hear all the commotion and be very aware that it was in a new place and was also confined, which surely wouldn't help its stress levels. I have to assume that many of the users of this newsgroup have had to move house with cats so I'd like to get your best advice so that I can pass it on to Margot. -- Rhino Try to leave her in her favourite place with some of your to be laundered clothes so she has the scent of you constantly around - then after seeing the vet get a couple of low dose valium, around 2mg. This will make her a bit drowsy for the transportation and pop her in a warm room with your to be laundered clothes. Another trick to help bonding (sounds revolting but) spit in their mouth. It's an old working cattle dog trick that works with cats and especially kittens - what else do you think they are doing when they try to lick your face - 'they' the little manipulating beasts are taking ownership of YOU!! Okay....this sound like what we've done in the past--except for the spitting in the mouth part--never tried that. We kept our kittehs in our bedroom the first couple of days. Of course we got NO sleep the first nigh because they circled the perimeter of the bed howling every minute for several hours, but they eventually settled down and we just let them explore a little at a time--room by room--after a couple of days. |
#5
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Helping a rescued cat with a house move
Your friend is wise to plan this ahead of time. I would start giving
her (the cat, not the friend!) Rescue Remedy in her water now. It's an herbal blend that you can find at health food stores and even Walgreens (near the sleep aids). Also, have her get a Feliway diffuser to plug in the room she'll be in. During the move, I would keep her shut in a bathroom in the old apartment. Like another poster said, put a t-shirt or something you've worn in with her. Put a big sign on the door that says "cat inside. do not open" so mover don't let her out accidentally. Before you move her to the new place, set up a room for her with all of her favorite things. Because she's a nervous cat, you might need to keep her confined to this one room for a few days until she's settled in. Don't rush her. Let her investigate as she feels comfortable. Keep up the Rescue Remedy and Feliway for several weeks to a few months. However long it takes her to get comfortable in her new place. Slowly let her explore the rest of the house as she's ready. IMO, I would not use valium or any prescription medication on her. |
#6
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Helping a rescued cat with a house move
Thanks to everyone who replied to my question. I've passed your replies on
to Margot. She was very grateful for your suggestions! -- Rhino |
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