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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Cats and moving house

12 replies

PotterBot · 15/03/2016 11:35

We moved house a month ago and have a 2 year old cat.

A week ago I tried to let him out for the first time but he won't budge. He has become a complete nutter since moving. Charging around the house, scratching carpets, scratching the sofa.

Has anyone got experience of this? Is it worth a trip to the vets?

OP posts:

cosmickitten · 15/03/2016 11:37

Have you tried feliway? That helps my cat.

Also did the last owners have pets, could traces of old pete be upsetting him?

Original poster

PotterBot · 15/03/2016 12:22

It's a new house so new carpets, I've been putting down a pet behave spray is yours the same?

OP posts:

cosmickitten · 15/03/2016 13:53

Feliway is a lot more expensive, but I've found it really works to settle my cat ( stressed rescue cat).
If the behave is all post move I suspect stress. As for not out going out maybe your new garden is used by other cats / foxes etc. our cat was v nervous when moved due the stable cats next door ( other cats had never concerned him but these did) . Jet washing the patio so it was fresh seemed to help.

Might be worth moving this litter tray section to get more advice.

CiaoVerona · 15/03/2016 14:09

Cats are creatures of routine some cats cope with moves the majority take some time too adjust to the new environment on occasion with moving its best to keep them in one room at a time till they adjust.

The fact, he/she has all these new smells to get used to for a cat is quite disconcerting, they also release endorphin's when they scratch stuff its also a kind a marking territory thing too ,maybe try a post they can use.

Usually they adapt well depending on the cat it can take a while.

BurningGubbins · 15/03/2016 14:19

We moved about 6 weeks ago, with a cat that starts pulling her fur out at the first sign of any change (like us going back to work after Christmas, for example). Feliway does nothing for her but Zylkene tablets do help. You can buy them online or from the vet. We tend to start her on them a few days before the stressful event is coming and carry on for a few days on the other side. She's coped surprisingly well with the move but needs to know that she can get back in when she goes out I.e. won't use the cat flap but will happily explore if we leave the back door open for her.

MNHQ

BeccaMumsnet · 15/03/2016 14:34

We're moving this over to the Litter Tray for the OP.

OneMagnumisneverenough · 15/03/2016 14:38

Is it a new build OP? It could be that it is just too open at the moment for your cat. They like to have a good view outside before exiting and like to have somewhere that they can get to quickly to have a good look about. It might be worth planting some bushes near-ish to the door or putting something that he can run under nearby.

maamalady · 15/03/2016 14:59

I second feliway and zylkene. We moved in the summer with our 15 year old cat. When we first got her (aged 5) she was quite skittish, so we were worried how she was going to take the move. No idea if it was the feliway/zylkene combo (both recommended by our vet), or just chilling out with age, but she settled just fine.

Agree that a hiding place outside is a good idea too, even if it's just a few bushy pot plants - they like having something over their heads so they can peek out at the world.

maamalady · 15/03/2016 15:02

Oh, and try just leaving a door open for a while rather than assuming he'll use the cat flap. Try not to hover! They can take ages to steel themselves to take steps into the unknown. If the door is open hopefully it will make him feel more secure - his escape route back inside is clearer, sort of thing.

maamalady · 15/03/2016 15:03

Oh dear, I've just realised I've basically just repeated everything burning said, in a more long-winded fashion Sorry!

Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 15/03/2016 15:04

We left the door open too.

We had a yard and to start with they would only use a yard sized part of the garden - they didn't understand that they could use all of it!

Took a while - but baby steps

gingercat02 · 15/03/2016 15:11

Feliway does nothing for our 2 sadly but they love catnip. We have moved them twice. First time they were about 9 months, second time about 3 years old. They are now 14 and we are planning to move again this year. No idea how they will cope they've been here 11 years next month. Sorry I can't help more but def place marking for tips

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