How to reduce stress with new living arrangement?

momto3cats

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I recently found out that my sister is moving back home for a while, and we will have to share a room. One of my cats (Niko, 10 yr. old spayed female Siamese) has a history of getting very stressed with this arrangement and spraying my sisters things. So, I would love any tips for lessening her stress this time and making the transition as easy as possible. My sister plans to stay for a year or more, so I really need to make Niko as comfortable with this as possible.

Niko would really prefer to be an only pet and to have me all to herself. She is used to spending most of the day with me in my room, as I work from home. She sleeps under the computer desk while I work. So, I think the main problem is having an "intruder" in "her" room, even part of the time.
 

larke

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Sounds like a real recipe for trouble... is there really no other place at all your sister can stay but in that room, and does the cat actually live 24/7 there too? What about moving your desk, etc. into another room?
 
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momto3cats

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Originally Posted by Larke

Sounds like a real recipe for trouble... is there really no other place at all your sister can stay but in that room, and does the cat actually live 24/7 there too? What about moving your desk, etc. into another room?
Yes, this is the only available room. The trouble is, our house is already full.

Niko is not in my room 24/7, but she spends much of the day here. At night the cats are confined to the laundry room, where the food, water, litter, cat beds etc. are. Of course I could keep her in there when I can't directly supervise. I will probably have to do that to prevent her from spraying. But that also increases her stress, because she's always wanting to come out and be near me (we've been through this before). I don't know where else I can work in peace and have Niko with me; there are just too many people here.
 

larke

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If she's spraying, I'd ask the vet about it as you say she is spayed, and it's less 'normal' for females to spray than males after being 'fixed'. She may have a UTI, which could make her pretty cranky! Are you suggesting locking your cat in the basement full time or only at night? I don't think doing it full time is the answer to anything and could really cause more trouble, but maybe you could bring in a well worn and not recently washed piece of your sister's clothing before she moves in and get the cat used to her smell, which might at least help the transition.
 
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momto3cats

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Originally Posted by Larke

If she's spraying, I'd ask the vet about it as you say she is spayed, and it's less 'normal' for females to spray than males after being 'fixed'. She may have a UTI, which could make her pretty cranky!
She is not spraying now, everything's fine. I'm just worried about how she will react to my sister moving in.

We have had off-and-on problems with this cat peeing inappropriately and/or spraying all her life. She has been vet-checked repeatedly and his conclusion was that it is behavioral, not medical.

Originally Posted by Larke

Are you suggesting locking your cat in the basement full time or only at night?
No, no, we have a room set up where the cats are comfortable and safe, and that is where they spend every night. I was suggesting putting Niko back in that room at times during the day, when I can't watch her; definitely not ideal, but if she sprays I can't leave her where she could destroy things.

Originally Posted by Larke

maybe you could bring in a well worn and not recently washed piece of your sister's clothing before she moves in and get the cat used to her smell, which might at least help the transition.
That's a good idea, I will ask her for something to use. Thank you.
 
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momto3cats

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Does anyone else have suggestions?
 
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