When people move house the experience for some individuals can be quite uncomfortable, while others find their new surroundings stimulating. This can be likened to a cats experience when moving house, depending upon their personality some will relish their new territory while others may exhibit behavioural problems while trying to adjust. When outdoor cats arrive at the new family home they are going to be living in an area that is already territory to the local feline population. These local residents may not be so welcoming and finding a suitable position in the new hierarchy may be a struggle. Indoor cats have no concern about the local feline population. In theory they may adapt better to their new surroundings as they are around familiar family members. Preparing your cat properly for moving house could reduce behavioural problems when you arrive. The days running up to the removal date and the first days settling in are crucial to putting your cat at ease. Packing for the move Cats have three distinct areas within their territory that they operate between. The core, the home range and the hunting range. The home and hunting ranges can see a lot of changes throughout a cat’s life and therefore changes to these environments may have less an effect on a cat’s behaviour. The core area is usually represented by the family home while certain cats may only regard one or two bedrooms as its core territory. Upheaval to this area can be very distressing and it is very important that disturbances are kept to a minimum. Keeping boxes out of view and removing items progressively from core areas may help reduce anxiety and stress. It is clear that at some stage your home is going to have to be packed fully away into boxes. The kindest option an owner may consider is to put your cat into a cattery over the removal period. Introducing cats to new homes The main aim is to offer your cat a new territory that is stable. Moving house can take weeks until all the boxes are removed and furniture settled in suitable positions. If this is the case then ensure at least one room is complete with all boxes and suitcases removed. By creating a stable environment your cat may find it easier to adjust. If boxes or suitcases are left lying around then this may trigger anxiety within the cat and thus fearful of their new territory. Controlling your cat’s movements around the house is a good idea. Only introduce your cat to rooms that are finished and all boxes and suitcases have been stored away. Even if you are organised and can have all rooms completed within a couple of days it is advisable to stagger the introduction of rooms so that your cat is not overwhelmed by its new territory. Home from home Getting your cat to accept a new territory can be made easier by trying to recreate a familiar environment from which they have come from. Use your cats old sleeping quarters, any familiar bedding, scratching posts, toys and furniture. This will help create the stable environment you are striving for. Another option that can be applied is Feliway. This product is a synthetic feline scent. It is applied by using a diffuser to the new room that your cat is being introduced to, and should be initiated thirty minutes before the introduction takes place. The scent acts in a way that makes your cat believe that the new environment is a similar one to that of old, hence reducing any possible anxieties. Will my cat settle in quickly? The adjustment to a new home may take days for some cats and weeks for others. It is entirely down to the temperament of your cat. Your cat will only be entirely secure in the new environment when they feel they are in control. A natural coping strategy for cats in a new environment is to hide. This must be allowed. Forcing your cat into an area that is uncomfortable may be more detrimental and put back adaptation even further. While your cat is hiding on top of the wardrobe or peering from under the coffee table they are observing the environment for which at the moment they feel unsafe with. In time your cat will feel at ease with the adjustments and will come out of hiding when ready. If your cat stays in hiding and refuses to eat for more than a couple of days then it is advisable to seek veterinary advice. This action will help resolve the distress your cat is under. You may aid the difficult transition by making the new environment as feline friendly. Your aim is to make the room as inviting as possible so that your cat removes itself from the safe haven they have created. Offering desirable play or food treats may be enough yet remember the offerings must be seen as gifts and not something that must be earned, this way the cat will feel in control and happier to interact. Introducing cats to gardens Deciding when to let your outdoor cat into its new home and hunting range can be a very difficult choice. If done too soon then there is a danger that your cat may wander off and getting them to return to the home becomes a very difficult task. Cats work on a basis of scent gradients. This means that they follow scents that are familiar to them and what they know to be secure. It therefore makes sense to keep your cat indoors for two or three weeks until the cats scent is a sufficient gradient to keep them attracted to their new home. Feliway has been identified as helping your cat set up a scent gradient quicker than when left alone. This will therefore decrease the time period for letting your cat outside. Once you believe there has been sufficient time to set up a scent gradient then an introduction to the outside world may be possible. The best way to do this would be to wait until dinner time when your cat is hungry. This will mean that your cat will be less likely to run far from the house. Let your cat outside for a few minutes and then call them for dinner. When your cat returns for food it is also reinforcing the owners command to return to the house.
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