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Question
I currently own two cats around the ages of 3-4 years. They have been at my current residence for their entire lives and unfortunately I have to move.
They have been mostly indoor cats that go outside right near the vicinity of the house. They are also very clingy cats. They are always in the same room as I am and sit on my lap all the time.
The problem being is I am moving to a MUCH smaller house(Grandfathered Mobile Home). What complications can I expect from two outdoor cats that will be converted to indoor cats? Complications on the beginning of the move?
I was also thinking along the lines of http://www.kittywalk.com/ as well.
Dagan,
No matter what, keep them inside, at least for a number of weeks or months. Cats tend to get very attached to territory and, if where you are moving to is not very far away from where you are moving from, they might wander back to the old house. I expect as long as they are eating properly and using the litter pan, all is OK.
The KittyWalk stuff looks pretty good. You can also check for outdoor enclosed pens (i.e. with roofs) at Fosters and Smith or Revival.
I would not worry too much about complications at first. The biggest problem may be if they see strange cats through the window and get into a fight/flight/fright mode. However you can cross theta bridge once you come to it.
Please let me know how it goes.
Best regards... Norm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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