Rehoming a cat... Ways to lessen impact?

Rehoming a cat... Ways to lessen impact?

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Discussion

carreauchompeur

Original Poster:

17,830 posts

203 months

Friday 24th July 2015
quotequote all
Aargh.

Currently feeling mega guilty. Off travelling for at least 6months-1yr so my lovely cat is moving in with some friends. He's an 11yo indoor-based moggy. I am the centre of his world and he is currently on my lap (standard)

He's moving into a nice new place, slightly bigger than here but with no children or other pets. What other things can I do to lessen the trauma of the move?

frown

Ste1987

1,798 posts

105 months

Friday 24th July 2015
quotequote all
Rub a blanket over yourself, so that it smells like you to your cat, thus giving him comfort when he moves? I'm only basing this on the fact that our cat (RIP) used to love sleeping on my mum's dressing gown when she wasn't in

Mobile Chicane

20,740 posts

211 months

Friday 24th July 2015
quotequote all
As above pus a Feliway plug-in for his new home.

ali_kat

31,988 posts

220 months

Friday 24th July 2015
quotequote all
Yep as above and he needs all his toys, bedding, food/water bowl, litter trays, carrier etc to move with him too, rather than new ones being bought; as they will all be 'home' to him.

Also leave some of your clothes with him... wear them around the house (when you are alone) for a few weeks before, so that they really pick up your smell for him (& don't wash them & tell your friends not to wash them either).

Feliway (or Pet Remedy) will help him settle as MC suggested (ours don't react to Feliway).


carreauchompeur

Original Poster:

17,830 posts

203 months

Saturday 25th July 2015
quotequote all
Thanks, I'm intending to do all of those things. Unfortunately it'll be a new litter tray as the current one has become very stinky but everything else is going with him. I'm going to go to the new home with him so he at least knows I'm there for a while. Just feel mega guilty but he will be well taken care of. frown

ali_kat

31,988 posts

220 months

Saturday 25th July 2015
quotequote all
Can you get the new one now?

Don't forget, he should have 2 wink

carreauchompeur

Original Poster:

17,830 posts

203 months

Saturday 25th July 2015
quotequote all
ali_kat said:
Can you get the new one now?

Don't forget, he should have 2 wink
Unfortunately logistics dictate it's already at the new home.

Why 2?1

ali_kat

31,988 posts

220 months

Saturday 25th July 2015
quotequote all
Because you should have 1 per cat & a spare

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Saturday 25th July 2015
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He will do fine esp if you are going to be there for a bit first.My old two had to stay with my parents for a few months, I was there initially but my boy being very nervous took a while to bond with my parents. He actually bonded with them better once I had moved!

I know how you feel but you seem to be doing everything right for him smile

And as Ali said two trays.

Edited by bexVN on Saturday 25th July 17:56

carreauchompeur

Original Poster:

17,830 posts

203 months

Saturday 25th July 2015
quotequote all
ali_kat said:
Because you should have 1 per cat & a spare
You learn something new every day. Why is that? He's never had any accidents other than when I first had him and hadn't changed it and I received some 'eggs' laid around the house hehe

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Saturday 25th July 2015
quotequote all
It is meant to be a stress reliever. Especially for cats that are very particular about using a tray twice, also if put in different places they are more likely to find privacy when they want to go! (very important to some cats)

If he has always been good with one don't worry too much, however two in a new home wouldn't be a bad move especially if he is to be an indoor cat.

carreauchompeur

Original Poster:

17,830 posts

203 months

Saturday 25th July 2015
quotequote all
Thanks, good shout. I know he will be fine in time, he's a very forward cat and confident with everyone who comes around but we do have a strong bond and I don't like having to move him.

ali_kat

31,988 posts

220 months

Saturday 25th July 2015
quotequote all
What Bex said smile