How will his behavior change when we move?

As many people know here (that visit the cat lounge ) I am getting ready to move from a 1 bedroom loft condo to a 3 bedroom house. We are moving this saturday! He is an indoor cat, but is allowed out on our patio only if supervised. Once we have the house we will let him out in the backyard to wander around, only if we're home and outside. I was wondering how you think his behavior will change when we change environments? When I first got him he seemed to transition smoothely from his old home to our home very quickly... but I wonder if it will be that easy going into a new environment?? What do you guys think?

I guess no one knows!

Take it slow. He is tripling the amount of space he is used to. The best idea would be to confine him in a smaller area for the first little while rather than let him have access to the whole house. You can also use these days to get down on the floor and view things from kitty eye level to help you 'cat proof' the new house. Give him a room where he can retreat as a sanctuary if he is overwhelmed by all the new space - a place that contains his litter box, his water dish, his food (don't put these beside the litter box, btw), his toys, his cat bed, whatever. As he gets used to the new space let him explore more of it. If you have more than one level, keep him on one level until he is comfortable with it, then allow him to explore others. If you have a basement really look for places where he could hide or could slip in behind the walls or into the ceilings. The last thing you want to do is to try and rescue him from within the fabric of the building. Invest in a feliway air diffuser and have it in place in the new house when he arrives. Also if you are going to be moving in furniture, try to move it all in before the cat arrives, or if you need to move it at the same time or after the cat has moved, make sure he is in his sanctuary room until you have the new house set up. Cats really dislike a break in their routine and moving is a big break.

I would really strenuously advise you not to let him wander loose at all, even just in your back yard, until you know the new neighbourhood. Are there dogs that run loose, are their cat hating neighbours who take pot shots at animals that enter their yard, are there loud noises that happen on a schedule that frighten him, are their natural hazards such as coyotes or venemous snakes or poisonous bugs that exist in the area? Big questions but you need to know the answers.

If you are going to let him outside I seriously recommend that you invest in a harness and a leash and make sure that you are with him when he explores. Take him for walks. Make sure he is comfortable inside before you begin to let him outside at all or you can run the risk of him panicking, slipping out of the harness, taking off and losing him. He needs to learn where 'home' is now and that will take a while.

Good luck with the move.

Originally Posted by Kathryn41

Take it slow. He is tripling the amount of space he is used to. The best idea would be to confine him in a smaller area for the first little while rather than let him have access to the whole house. You can also use these days to get down on the floor and view things from kitty eye level to help you 'cat proof' the new house. Give him a room where he can retreat as a sanctuary if he is overwhelmed by all the new space - a place that contains his litter box, his water dish, his food (don't put these beside the litter box, btw), his toys, his cat bed, whatever.

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He is a pretty easy cat and I think he's going to adjust well. I'm just really paranoid about his. My plan was to put him in our NEW bedroom with all his stuff and familiar items. Then we planned on moving everything into the house afterwards. Since he's such a good cat I figured I would let him explore the house a little bit (with me home) and then at night have him in the bedroom again with us.

As he gets used to the new space let him explore more of it. If you have more than one level, keep him on one level until he is comfortable with it, then allow him to explore others. If you have a basement really look for places where he could hide or could slip in behind the walls or into the ceilings. The last thing you want to do is to try and rescue him from within the fabric of the building. Invest in a feliway air diffuser and have it in place in the new house when he arrives. Also if you are going to be moving in furniture, try to move it all in before the cat arrives, or if you need to move it at the same time or after the cat has moved, make sure he is in his sanctuary room until you have the new house set up. Cats really dislike a break in their routine and moving is a big break.

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Luckily, it's all one floor... no upstairs and no basements!

I would really strenuously advise you not to let him wander loose at all, even just in your back yard, until you know the new neighbourhood. Are there dogs that run loose, are their cat hating neighbours who take pot shots at animals that enter their yard, are there loud noises that happen on a schedule that frighten him, are their natural hazards such as coyotes or venemous snakes or poisonous bugs that exist in the area? Big questions but you need to know the answers.

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This is a tough one. It really is. I am one of those people that don't like having animals inside\\outside... I don't allow my animals to roam around as they please, simply because of all the dangerous stuff!!! I am completely with you there. The thing is.. I have been letting PHX out on our little patio and it's always supervised. Now, have you seen the look of a cat that is allowed to roll in the dirt... when he's never been able to before. He loves it! He knows though that he can only go out with me. With that being said... I can't bring myself to take away that feeling from him. There will be no harm in letting him out in the backyard as long as I'm there. He doesn't roam far away. There's a fence up, so he would have to jump the fence into someone elses yard. I have given this a lot of thought and I think as long as it's supervised it's ok. Plus, he does have a collar and leash... he just doesn't like it.

If you are going to let him outside I seriously recommend that you invest in a harness and a leash and make sure that you are with him when he explores. Take him for walks. Make sure he is comfortable inside before you begin to let him outside at all or you can run the risk of him panicking, slipping out of the harness, taking off and losing him. He needs to learn where 'home' is now and that will take a while.

Good luck with the move.

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When I have him on the leash he does NOT want to walk. He trys 'backing' out of the leash. He does much better and is much more calm when he's free and able to roam.. but still supervised. I did plan to have him comfortable in the house before bringing him outside... This is all a big change for him. I know he's ready for it. Thanks for all the advice! You've really helped!