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Written by Sandra Murphy
It starts innocently—just replace a few pipes in the basement and the hot water heater is near death, why not do that too? Remodeling is like standing dominoes on end. With the first coat of paint or thought of new carpet, it begins. You wonder, “Will it ever end?”
Cats want to see what's going on but are afraid of strangers in the house. The stress of remodeling will show itself as weight loss, throwing up, late night wandering room to room and loud meowing. What can you do with cats during an upheaval like this?
If the remodeling will start with a major clean up, crate the cats so they can see you sort and toss. Crating prevents stepping on tails or tripping over sleeping cats. Once you get to the point of moving furniture and tearing up carpet, put the cats in a secure room. A sign on the door saying “CATS – Do Not Open” will help but it's no guarantee someone won't take a peek so keep them in the crate. Turn on a radio or fan for white noise so the cats don't jump at every sound the workmen make.
Be generous with treats and special foods. All cats have favorite treats or foods, even if it's just for a meal or two before they change their minds. Bring out the best and reward their good behavior as you change things. Regular meals will decrease the throwing up and treats will bribe them into the crate.
Buy new toys—the catnip kind if your cats like that, some furry, some plain. Every few days swap them. Remember, the one that makes the noise will always be the one they play with at night–under the bed. Rethink the noisy ones!
After the workmen leave for the day, walk through the house and think like a cat. Will your cat try to get inside the wall where the new plumbing is going in? Block that hole or shut the door. Are there nails and tools lying around? Ask workmen to clean as they go so you and your cats can walk without worry. Sweep up dust and debris so there's nothing to lick off paws. Watch for a sheet of drywall or plywood leaning against the wall. Can your cat jump on it and get hurt if it falls over? After you've cat-proofed an area, let them take a look. When cats are allowed to explore, it satisfies their curiosity as they sniff and examine every change.
Try to leave one room with a play area. Cats need to use up excess energy. Give them room to run or expect the Kitty 500 to erupt just as you enter REM sleep. Make sure to spend time with each cat. It will relax you and comfort them.
Remodel green. New paints are odorless and safer not only for the environment, but for you and your pets. Oil based primers may be needed if you have older plaster walls. Plaster absorbs odors over time. Oil primers block cooking, smoking and pet odors better than latex primers. If you shop for mis-tints, the colors people decided they didn't like after all, you'll find some real bargains which of course, leaves more money to spend on the cats!
If you are having old floors refinished, find a place you and the cats can stay for a while. Be sure to take familiar things along—food dishes, bedding, litter box, and a toy or two. You'll have a fine layer of dust on everything when you return home so plan on dusting before letting the cats out of their carriers. Polyurethane takes a long time to completely dry—you won't want dusty footprints and shedding fur embedded in the finish.
Bamboo floors are a sustainable resource and good for racing cats—scratches don't show like on dark hardwood. Opting for carpet? Go green there too with recycled fibers that don't give off chemical fumes. You or your cat might be allergic.
Find green cleaning products for your new floors and furniture too. Keep in mind, there will be accidents or illness so you'll want a product that cleans well with the lowest impact on you, your cats and the environment.
Is it better to make small changes over time or do one big blitz? For a major remodel, go all out and get it over with as soon as you can. Continuous change is continuous stress. For smaller projects like painting a few rooms or moving furniture, work at your own pace.
In order to survive remodeling, treat yourself well during the process. Treat your cats even better. Change is hard—we'll like it when it's done but while it's going on, treats for everybody!
Sandra Murphy lives in the land of booze, blues and shoes - St Louis, Missouri. When not writing, she works as a pet sitter. In her spare time, she caters to the whims of Reilly and BB, stray cats rescued by her dog, Avery.
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