Expert: Dear Tabbi - 8/26/2008

Question
Hello,

My boyfriend and I are moving to a new apartment a few miles from our current one, and we are taking our cat. Peanut is a female and about two years old. She is sometimes a bit skiddish but loves to explore. Peanut has lived in our current apartment since we brought her home as a kitten. We want to make this move the least stressful as possible for her. We plan to confine her to a room with all her things while we are moving furniture and boxes around.

We have also wanted a second cat for quite some time now. A boy preferrably. A friend of mine would like to give hers to a good home. He is 14 and very social. He has also lived with other cats before. Peanut has not.

My question is, since the move will probably be stressful enough for Peanut, should we even consider bringing in a new cat shortly after the move? I don't want her to freak out and hate us forever. On the other hand, I didn't want to bring in a new cat to our old apartment because Peanut knew that was HER space. I'm thinking that with a new bigger apartment, she may be willing to co-exist with another feline.

Any advice would be most helpful. I hope I don't drive my cat to future therapy!

Answer
Laura,

Help your cat become familiar with her new home by helping her spread her facial pheromones (a cat's natural and personal scent). Pheromones are used by the cat to scent mark her territory, and also her familiar smell helps to calm her. Put a sock on your hands or use a soft rag, and gently rub it around your cats head, sides of his mouth, and cheek area. Then rub the sock (or whatever you used) about 6-8" high (depending on where the nose height of your cat is) along wall corners, doorways, furniture legs, etc. Do this before you let the cat out to explore the house. When she smells "her  pheromones/scent" she will feel more at home and may not be so stressed. You can also buy Feliway or Comfort Zone with Feliway, which is synthetic pheromones, at PetSmart, Petco, a vet's office (they use it too for calming), etc.

If an indoor cat gets out accidentally it is very common that they will get lost - even if they are only 10 feet away from home - because they will not know where they are or how to return home if they have not had the opportunity to scent mark their outdoor territory.   At some point you should let her outside on a leash or, if she won't run off, set her down (with you there!) and let her  explore and mark the area near the house by letting her rub on things. Also it is a good idea to collar train her then tape your phone number and address on it in case she somehow does slip out the door and gets lost, or tries to go back to the 'old neighborhood'.

If she is going to be an indoor/outdoor cat, at the new home the cat needs to stay inside for at least 2 weeks to learn the new smells, noises, etc. of the new home. Then when you first let her out, leave the door cracked open so she can run back in if she gets scared. Let her venture out as far, and when, she feels comfortable.

Here is an article to read that may be helpful too on moving your cat. (Copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.wikihow.com/Keep-a-Cat-from-Running-Away-when-It-Is-Moved

A 14 year old is approx. 72 years old in human years. Old cats don't take stress as well as a younger cat. The key is to go slowly and not rush the process. The 14 year old cat will probably grieve and will suffer separation anxiety from losing his home and his owner.

I would keep him separated from your cats for a while until he adjusts to you and his new home. Introductions to new cats may be too much right now. If he shows signs of severe depression or starts pulling out her fur I would ask the vet about putting her on 'kitty prozac' for a short term to keep him calm. You need to give him lots of love and attention to reassure him. Do not leave any doors open for awhile because he may try to 'go home'. Putting a collar on him  with your address and phone number would be playing it safe in case it happened and he got lost.

Hissing, spitting, and slaps are normal kitty communication. You only need to worry if there are ears pinned back flat, blood being shed, or major fur flying. Also keep your cats claws trimmed so there aren't any deadly points.

I am including some good links to articles that will help you with the introduction process:

Here is a good article about cats grieving:
http://www.messybeast.com/cat-grief.htm

Introducing cats to older cats:

http://www.messybeast.com/Oldcat.htm#addition
http://www.understandinganimals.com/article/7
http://www.messybeast.com/first-impressions.htm

If there any way possible, it would be better to leave the old cat with it's current owner where it is happy and used to his routine. He is social now, but with a new home at his age he may become a different cat.

It is best to get a cat nearest your cat's age and temperment for the best chance of them getting along. Cats like to have friends to play kitty games with and snuggle with, but there are some cats who are happier being an only cat and won't accept a new cat. You need to find out which type of cat yours is before you make TWO cats unhappy (or happy).

I hope this information is helpful and everything works out OK in your new home.

Tabbi