moving cat into a new home, new owners

@mememama (3076)
United States
February 19, 2007 5:59pm CST
A relative of mine is moving across the country, and her new home doesn't allow cats, she's renting :( So she's giving the cat to another family member (not me), a new home he's never been in. He's an indoor/outdoor cat and neutered. The new home has an indoor/outdoor dog and an outdoor cat. The dog is kinda grumpy too. Any tips to make this transition easy? I no longer have cats, but this relative is asking me since I'm the family "expert" lol, yeah some expert so I'm asking here!
1 person likes this
3 responses
• Canada
20 Feb 07
We have moved many times and have always taken our pets with us . I have always found that cats are very easy going when it comes to a move . They will want to check out their territory when they get to the new place but they will want to know that the people are going to be there to protect them also . So I would suggest just that when they take the cat over to let it go around smelling everything and when it feels it has checked everything out to spend some time with the animal and if there were any toys or dishes the cat ate out of or anything that would be familiar to the cat to take that along to so that the cat has something familiar to him/her .
@mememama (3076)
• United States
20 Feb 07
that's a great idea, thanx. I'll have to make sure that he has his toys and bowls.
@hezoid (2144)
20 Feb 07
About a month ago we got a cat off one of our friends who had split up with his wife and was moving house into a flat, and therefore couldn't keep the cat. We had bascially the same worries as you! (expect no dog) We've been keeping her in as we were advised to do so, and she doesn't even seem bothered about going out. It's best to try and get all of the cats toys, litter tray, food bowls, bedding etc from the previous owners if possible and put them in the cats new home so there's lots of familiar things around for the cat. Also, buying the same food and even using the same litter for the cat can make it feel more at home. It's going to be difficult for the new kitty at first as it's not just having a new home and owners but will also have fellow housemates in the form of the doggy and other cat. It would probably be best to introduce the new cat to them individually, and just in one room at first. I hope everything goes well for the iccle kitty!
@Randync (544)
• United States
20 Feb 07
That is good advice on keeping it inside awhile. They will often try to go back home. Usually this journey ends on the road with the cat being ran over. Maybe him being fixed will keep him closer to his food source but maybe not. And you should not trust anyone who lets a dog come inside and makes the cat live outside. They may be communists or something lol.