Settling an Adult cat into a new household

16 Jan 2015

We got this email from a friend yesterday. Our response is below......

From: Chris
Sent: Tuesday, 13 January 2015 8:15 a.m.
To: [email protected]
Subject: cat advice

Hi David

My friend has just inherited a 5 year old cat from across town. The cat has been in the house only 24 hours.

It looks a little freaked out and miserable. Not himself.

How long would you propose keeping the cat inside to lower the risk of him trying to scarper across town from the new house back ‘home’ to his old house?

Thanks
Chris

To: Chris
Subject: RE: cat advice

Hi Chris

Thanks for your question - it's a good one.

Cats are territorial - so some don't tolerate getting moved very well.

The more freaked out the cat, the longer you should keep them in.

I'd suggest giving the cat their own room as much as possible. access to litter tray, water and food and a place to hide. When my adult cat moved first in she hid under the spare bed for a week.

There is a product called Feliway which is a synthesized pheromone which helps cats feel more relaxed. Very good stuff, quite expensive BUT GOOD VALUE, that comes as a wall plug in (30days) or a spray. I'd recommend that.

I'd also suggest slowly trying to coax the cat to play (fluffy toys on a string) so the cats feels more relaxed/happy with the humans.

When the cat is wandering freely around the house, enjoying interacting with the family and eating without fear in 'public' then it's likely s/he is ready to try outside. Might be two days, might be two weeks - it depends on the cat. (Your mates want to try feeding the cat in the spare room, then moving the cat food a shade closer to the kitchen each day maybe)

Unfortunately there is always a risk that the first time you let the cat out will be the time that it's going to run off. If they're super worried they coud get a cat leash to use til the cat has explored the property.

Is the cat microchipped and has the chip been updated with the new owners details on www.animalregister.org.nz?

Lastly, if the cat does disappear, the chances are it has found a hiding place nearby to wait and take stock of its surroundings. I don't think s/he'll head straight for his old house, like a homing pigeon. So all is not lost, s/he might come back if s/he's hungry.

Cheers
David