Expert: Tina - 2/21/2007

Question
I just finished reading another answer that you gave regarding inappropriate spraying. I have 3 cats (2 male and 1 female) so I suspect territorial behavior is the cause for their out of control behavior. I am going to try the Natures Miracle and Feliway. My question is how can I prevent them from doing this when we move in a couple of months?  Three cats in a new home sounds like a recipe for a very smelly house! Any advice you could give on how to make the transition easier for all of us would be greatly appreciated!

Answer
Hi Kathy,

Have your cats lived together for some time? Is this new behavior? I assume all are spayed or neutered of course, and have you had them each checked for urinary tract problems? One cat with a bladder infection might urinate outside the box and the smell would draw the others to do the same.

Moving to a new house is actually great because this will be a fresh start and new territory for your cats. I would advise using the Feliway plug-ins and/or spray for a few weeks before you move and then at the new house as well. Keep in mind the plug-ins only cover about 250 square feet so you may need several!

Before and during the move, add some Bach's Rescue Remedy (herbal calming supplement) to their water dish or to wet food -2 to 4 drops should do. It is sold at Whole Foods, some drug stores, and most health food stores and online.
(http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=EL-1097)
This well help calm them and reduce the likelihood of stress-induced urination or fights.

When you arrive, it is best to set up the cat in a small room such as a bathroom or guest room – one you will not be moving things into right away. Set up the food, water, and litter. Check the room to make sure the windows are closed or the screens are very strong (test them by pushing all around the frame). Remove any potential poisons or dangers. Then put the carrier on the floor and open the door, leaving the cat to emerge on his own.

Cats are often very upset by moving, because they are territory-oriented. You may expect the cat to hide and act frightened in unfamiliar surroundings, and you need to be extra careful not to let him get outside.
Set up your furniture and do all your major moving around of belongings before you let the cat out of the room he is staying in. This will help avoid accidents and also be less frightening to the cat.

Check your new home thoroughly before letting the cat out of the room. Make sure doors and windows are secure, and any unsafe items are removed. Look for rat poison in the backs of cupboards, etc.

Make sure when you move you keep the cats confined to one room that stays fairly quiet until all the furniture is in place and some things unpacked. Cats feel very insecure when their home is in pieces. A large bathroom is a good place to confine them since it has hard floors in case of an accident.

Also make sure your cats will know where the litterbox is in the new place - start it in the room they are confined to and once they are allowed out gradually move it to the intended final position, never more than one room away at a time. Remember that for 3 cats you should have 3 or ideally 4 boxes.