Help with moving cat

[Wishthiswasntthecase]

My mum died recently after a spell in hospital. My sister was often staying at her house whilst she was still alive and a bit after she died. Her cat stayed in the house, and I’ve been in daily to see the cat/feed him etc.

we’ve moved the cat in with me and my partner today. He seems settled enough (curled up on the sofa right now and is purring) but hasn’t eaten or drunk anything or used his tray. we don’t have other cats or children.

Anything I should be doing? I’m a bit clueless

I’d put a couple of trays down but otherwise not worry.

Bless you for taking on kitty, particularly at this sad time for you. Cats are very sensitive and can pick up on emotions. Plus they are in a new environment so that is unsettling. The fact that the cat is sitting with you and not hiding away is a good sign. Give lots of strokes and offer treats. A Feliway plug in can help cats adjust. Good luck and sorry for your loss.

Thanks. He is reacting when he hears street noise (we live in a much smaller house so closer to the road, although mum lived on an A road they were set back from the traffic) he’s under the sofa now as he heard me upstairs making a noise. He’s probably got used to a lot of quiet these last few weeks.

My cat hates the litter tray and won't use it. If I have to keep him in because he needs to see the vet or he's unwell then he will hold on for nearly a whole day before using it. He will use it at the cattery though. What about putting the cat in just one small room to begin with and letting it get used to that space first.

We only live in a small house (2 up 2 down) … he’s spent all afternoon in the living room, but his tray is in the kitchen. We’ve kept the upstairs doors shut but he’s not tried to go upstairs. (He usually follows me straight up when I go to mum’s house). He’s an indoor cat so he’s used to the tray (I’ve been shovelling a lot of poop these last couple of weeks!) and I’ve brought his tray so it should smell righ

Put his tray where he is for now. It doesn't need to be there permanently, just while he decompresses and gets used to his new environment.

I wouldn't make him go to another room to use the tray yet - he's likely terrified and will have an accident rather than go somewhere he feels unsafe.

thanks Moved food and tray this morning. He seems ok if we’re in the room - jumps on one of the sofas and curls up with either of us. He was under the sofa this morning when we got up. Moved him at the weekend to give him chance to settle with us before we’re in work tomorrow.

He sounds like he’s doing just fine. Cats are funny things, my first rescue marched out the carrier and acted like he owned the place the minute we got him home, the second wouldn’t leave the carried for a whole 24 hours and even then it was to sleep in the litter tray…. Right as rain within a couple of weeks.

Sounds like he is happy in the room with your company, he may well explore more whilst you are asleep etc. Just make sure you keep him in for a good few weeks so he doesn’t try and find his way “home”.

Thanks for the reassurance! When mum got him he just rolled round on the carpet and played with everything in the house immediately! He’s 3 now, and he must be missing mum (both mum and dad have died in a 9 month period) but I’ve been going to theirs every day for about 2 years so he knows me well! I’m probably just a bit paranoid! He seemed content on the sofa though.

Oh he's absolutely gorgeous! Is he a Persian? If so @ToddlerTeaplease will be very happy - she has 2 adorable persians.

Is he eating now? I would suggest keeping his food, water and especially litter tray as far apart as possible, even if in the same room. A cat tree/strong scratching post is a good idea if you have room.

I think if he's happy being around you and is already relaxing on the sofa he'll settle in well. Yes he'll be missing your mum and all the familiar smells and sounds of home, but they do adapt. He sounds like he likes company and will be used it having your mum around a lot so won't be used to being on his own much. Do you work from home at all? TempCat is very much a 'people person' and I find he's quite needy when I get home on the days I go into the office!

TemporaryCat also knew me fairly well before moving here, but still spent a lot the first 3 days under my bed as he likes dark enclosed places to feel safe. He also wasn't used to road noise and as I'm in a block of flats near a busy road with a bus route he was constantly being startled and feeling terrified by the sound of traffic and of neighbours going up the driveway on scooters or in noisy vans. He now spends hours lazing on the windowsills and doesn't twitch a muscle at loud noises (though he still hates fireworks).

It takes time for them to get their bearings when they move house, and cats can hold their bladders for a long time when they want to. If it gives you some solace, my previous cat wouldn’t come downstairs on her own for 3 months after I moved house, and would regularly go for 24-36 hours without a wee if her routine was disrupted.

Look at that face 😍

Some cats settle faster than others. Our adult rescue took months to come out of his shell but I've known others to adjust within days - it really is dependent on their personality and their confidence.

Though the adult rescue is now our most confident cat - you never know!

Awww he's gorgeous. Persians are just the best. That coat looks hard work though. A metal comb and a tangle teaser is your friend! Also find a professional groomer, to give him a good going over every few months. Also get the best insurance you can afford, mine cost a fortune.
They aren't the most dynamic of cats!

My new girl didn't see for 27 hours when I first got her. It took her about two months to fully settle. My other cat took 30 seconds to settle!

He's absolutely gorgeous.

So sorry about your mum and dad. I lost both mine inside 5 months - it's tough xx

Thank you all for the reassurance. I think I’m more anxious because he was mums and I promised her I’d look after him! We’ve had a successful tray visit this afternoon but I don’t think he’s eaten yet … doesn’t look like it.

I can’t work from home but there is usually someone here one day a week and we both finish for christmas on Thursday so he’ll have some company. He’s not enjoyed being on his own in the house the last few weeks and has howled every time i went in, he’s been quiet here, didn’t hear him overnight.

He is exceptionally cute and he knows it!

He’s eating 😀

He'll be fine. Persians are pretty dopey to be honest. They do little apart from lounging around looking gorgeous. (Well that was until I met Penelope, who's been a bit of a surprise!) very sorry about your parents.

So sorry to hear about your mum.

The cat will be fine. It takes them a while to adjust. Try not to fuss too much, just let it be. Otherwise, at this stage, it will think you're lining it up for the cooking pot 😂 Great that it can peacefully share a room with you. Things will improve over time, be patient and just wait for the cat to find its feet at its own pace. X

He’s found the window ledge … it’s so much narrower than mums but he’s managed to fit himself on there. @Toddlerteaplease he’s a lounger alright, and that suits me fine!

Another tip, keep the hair on his bum and trousers very short. (I speak from painful experience) 🙀😷

If you need any other advice about Persians. Feel free to
Message me. I'm on my 3rd and 4th Persians. You'll never have another breed of cat again!