Reducing Moving Stress??

Ok, here's my dilemma:

As of Sept 1, I'm out of my apartment.

The catch: I don't move into my new place until Oct. 1

I decided to house my kitties with a more trustworthy friend in her loft, than leave them where I am staying (there are two other kitties there) or leave them in my current place (I don't trust my almost-former roommate as far as I could throw her).

Leo has been a little distant since I brought Lola home 5 weeks ago...he will let me pick him up, play with him, pet him, brush him, but he isn't NEARLY as affectionate with me. Almost never purrs for me (purrs for teh boyfriend, though), stopped rubbing on me. I'm worried that with all of this moving stress, that he won't respond to me at all ever again!

Here are my questions:
1. How can I reduce their stress while I am breaking down and packing up their territory? Leo already got a little bit listless, and meowed at me for packing 2 boxes!!
2. Are they going to hate me forever?
3. Honestly (honestly!) is this a horrible idea?
4. How do I deal with them a) when they are staying with Rachel and b) when we move into our new place?

Any help is appreciated!

Anyone? Anyone?

::bump::

Hi Lioness -- I will find myself in your situation in the next few months. I won't have a month overlap between residences but I will be moving again for the second time in 12 months. I had one kitty when I moved last -- moved from the one place she ever knew or called home...now I have two kitties. So on top of them trying to get to know one another in the meantime, we have to uproot the both of them again.

The one thing I can say and with 20/20 hindsight wish that I could do over again from the last time we moved, would be that the best thing to remember is that cats are creatures of habit. They do not like change but with some TLC, the transition can be easy. Make sure they each have a room they can be in at your friend's house -- is there enough room for both of them to be separated if they don't like each other? Do they like each other? Make sure they have their same food bowls, boxes, etc but also give them something familiar, like toys or a shirt with your scent on it. That may calm them down. Otherwise, I will look to get the same advice, because my cats are not really keen on one another -- they tolerate each other as of now but it's still early, but I have enough room to keep them separated when we are moving back and forth. then they can reacclimate to each other...yeah I'm looking forward to that LOL. Good luck

I can relate to your situation, I myself just moved from Pittsburgh to chicago with my 2 cats. The drive was traumatic and now we are living in a temporary living situation in Evanston. Le sigh. We are all sharing 1 large bedroom, which has been less than fun. Fortunately my cats get along pretty well, they don't Looooove eachother, but they play and every once in a while I'll catch them sleeping next to each other, so I don't know what to tell you about the whole 2 cats not getting along issue.

What I've tried to do with mine is keep our daily routine as similar as possible as it used to be. I feed them at the same times and clean their litter at the same times. I put all their toys in one box and that was the first thing I unpacked, and I try to play with them a lot and spoil them so they are as happy as they can be.

When we first moved into this house one of my cats got out and spent several days hiding, but eventually she relaxed and is now back to being herself. I was concerned as well that they would hate me forever, but as far as I can tell they don't. There was some stress the first couple of days but they gradually accepted this territory as theirs for now. I hope they like the high rise as much as the frat house.

Good luck with your move!

Originally Posted by Cessena

I can relate to your situation, I myself just moved from Pittsburgh to chicago with my 2 cats. The drive was traumatic and now we are living in a temporary living situation in Evanston. Le sigh. We are all sharing 1 large bedroom, which has been less than fun. Fortunately my cats get along pretty well, they don't Looooove eachother, but they play and every once in a while I'll catch them sleeping next to each other, so I don't know what to tell you about the whole 2 cats not getting along issue.

What I've tried to do with mine is keep our daily routine as similar as possible as it used to be. I feed them at the same times and clean their litter at the same times. I put all their toys in one box and that was the first thing I unpacked, and I try to play with them a lot and spoil them so they are as happy as they can be.

When we first moved into this house one of my cats got out and spent several days hiding, but eventually she relaxed and is now back to being herself. I was concerned as well that they would hate me forever, but as far as I can tell they don't. There was some stress the first couple of days but they gradually accepted this territory as theirs for now. I hope they like the high rise as much as the frat house.

Good luck with your move!

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Thanks for the advice!

Whereabouts in Chicago will you be? I'm in Lincoln Park/Wrightwood, and I'm just moving across the neighborhood....but it's just that idea of stressing my cats out that is making me crazy!

My two get along quite well. They've been together about 6 weeks now, and recently I caught them grooming each other and slaeeping in a kitty pile. Leo came to me and did his purring routine today, even though my apartment is even more disheavaled, so maybe it won't be so bad...

Summer was also less affectionate while I was packing (except to crawl and play in the boxes). My mom said that animals sense change. After the traumatic car ride to the new place, Summer was fine and very eager to explore the new place. She didn't let me sleep much that first night! It has been a week now since the move, and she is now behaving like her usual self (took a few days to explore though). Summer has never hid in new situations, but I heard that is a common reaction to change. I'm sure your kitties will adjust quickly. It may be a good idea to brong some stuff that smells like you to your friend's place while they are there. Good luck on the move! We were a little unforunate as to having the date we ould move in as the same exact date that our last lease was up. We did everything in one day!


Moving stinks!

I went through something similar. We left our last apartment on August 1st, and had to stay with the in-laws for 10 days before we could move into our new apartment. Are you staying at your friends with your kitties? Having you there will make the transition to your friends house easier on them. If not, be sure to visit as much as possible.

It seems your biggest worry was stressing your cats out, as well as fear that they will never be the same around you again. I felt the same way, but everything turned out just fine. My cats behaved in similar ways to yours as I was packing boxes and moving things out. They will get used to that. I made sure to begin packing as soon as possible so by the time it got close to the move, the cats were used to all the boxes and furniture being moved.

Bring some clothes with your friend's scent on them home to your cats so they can get used to her. Allow her to come visit with them too. When you're ready to move them into her home, put familiar objects that smell like you/the cat's into their room first so that when they get there they will recognize some of the smells. When you take them out of the carrier, show them the litter box and food/water first, then let them hide if they want to. Chances are they will. Be patient, let them hear your voice so they know you are there. They will come out when they are ready. It also helps to keep used litter in the box you put down for them. The smell helps them remember to use the box instead of the carpet. A little bit of used litter is all you need.

I had to uproot my cats from the only home they've ever known, make them live in a tiny bedroom for ten days, and then move them again to a much larger unfamiliar place. Everything turned out just fine. My cats still love me, and love their new home too. Remember that they are aware of your anxiety. If you're nervous about the move, they will be more nervous. Cats are creatures of habit, but given time and patience they can adjust quite well.

P.S. When moving day comes, put them in their carrier before you pack up their food, dishes, etc. You should have seen the look Alex gave me when he saw me put the food back in the bag when it was finally time to leave!