Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/a new move/new home

Advertisement

Expert: Dear Tabbi - 5/2/2008


Question
We recently moved into a brand new home.  Our 2 yr. old cat who is front declawed runs through the house and jumps against the wall.  She is making scratches in our brand new walls.  We love her and want to help her with this behavior.  She never did this in our apartment.

Answer
Linda,

You didn't mention if the cat was spayed or how long you have been in the new home. I would suggest an examination by a vet to check for a medical issue that could be causing her behavior. She could possibly be in pain. It definitely is not a normal behavior or reaction for a cat.

More than likely the cat is stressed by the move. Everything is different with new smells, new sounds, new routine, etc. Nothing is familiar.

You should put her in a room with a litterbox, food, and water for a few days until she can acclimate to the move. Keep some of her familiar toys, blankets, etc. with her. Getting a kitty perch would also help her look out the window and see the new sights. Let her explore the house gradually, One room at the time, until slowly you familiarize her with the whole house. Turning her loose in a big house all at once is too overwhelming.

If her behavior continues to be bizarre then you can speak to your vet about putting her on 'kitty Prozac' for short term, usually about 2 weeks. It is very popular for calming stressed cats and cats with emotional issues.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

Education/Credentials
***********

Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.