traveling cat?!?!?
I live at both my ganrdma's and mom's house. I was wondering if I could take my cat back and forth to both houses? Would it do something to the cat?
I live at both my ganrdma's and mom's house. I was wondering if I could take my cat back and forth to both houses? Would it do something to the cat?
Sunflower81
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Cats are adaptable, and while most will complain about a short car trip it doesn't hurt them. After a few days of being on the road, most cats will get used to the care completely (take it from someone who has moved cross-country with three). Just make sure to keep the cat in a cat-carrier so s/he is safe in case there is an accident, and also to prevent them from getting under the gas/brake petals -- which they will try to do if scared. If your kitty has a favorite toy or sleeping bed/mat/etc then bring that back and forth for them so s/he feels comfortable. The cat will probably come to see this arrangement as doubling its territory and be quite pleased in the long run.
Anonymous
To answer to both your questions: Yes you can take your cat to both houses. And No, it won't do anything to your cat especially when you prepare
a place for it and make some subtle changes at first. Also I recommend just sitting your cat down quietly and telling it what you want it to understand.
The first question I would ask you to clarify your question is your cat used to travelling in a car?
If not, you can train your cat to relax during a car ride by taking short 5 minute car rides a couple times a week that end pleasantly (ie. you don't end up at the vet's or some unfamiliar place).
Use a pet carrier lined with a soft familiar blankie or pad and put in a favorite toy or object. Don't play the car radio if your pet is not used to it in the house. Sing or talk periodically while driving. It is best that your cat can see you at all times during the ride. If your cat yowls or whines, comforting words can sometimes help, or just putting your finger into the carrier can too. Keep your eyes on the road and slow down. Ensure that at each home you stay at, your cat has it's very own safe quiet out-of-the-way place to rest. It's litter box has to be easily accessible (but not in the same room as it's bed), private, and away from traffic.
Hope this helps.
Inundated in SF
Most cats don't deal with new situations unless they've been acclimated to that kind of constant change from babyhood. Mine don't even like being a car (or anything moving). You can probably eventually get it used to being in both houses, going from one to the other but it is going to be a long, trying adjustment for all of you. Your cat is going to be stressed at the new place, stressed in transit too. It'll take a while for it to get used to the new place--but with time and familiarity, it will see that this new place is also home and it will be just fine. But while it is figuring this out, it might not want to use the litter box, might go into deep hiding, might run away if it gets outside, might hiss and scratch at you and everyone else and might develop some other stress-related side effects. If you intend to spend long periods of time at each house (not just going to your grand's on weekends but like spending a month at one place and the next month at the other, etc.), you might be able to do it if you (and everyone else) is REAL tolerant and patient and you spend extra time with your kitty letting it know that you are there and are still taking care of it, etc. Be prepared for not normal behavior (even a kitty who had perfect habits will often get messed up when scared). If you're only spending Sat & Sun at one house but the rest of the week at the other, I'd just leave the kitty at the "rest of the week" house where it will feel most comfortable.
Ken
There is a product called Feliway that is especially helpful when transporting cats, although somewhat expensive. Spray a little of it (like perfume) inside a cat carrier 30 minutes before you put the cat in and it will make a noticable difference in their temperament. If you make regular trips, the cat will eventually become used to the two locations. Just watch for signs of stress such as hair loss and urinating behavior changes/problems. If the cat shows signs of stress, moving just might not be its cup of tea.
Also, dont ever try to transport a cat without a cat carrier. Their fear will either cause them to seek high ground, clawing their way to the top of your head, or low ground, behind the brake and gas pedals. Both are very bad situations for a driver.
ineeddonothing
It would probably be okay. Although at first it might be a little stressful for the cat. Try having some familiar objects (blankets, toys, etc) for the cat in both places and make sure everything always stays consistent as far as where it eats and goes to the bathroom. That should make the transitions a little easier. Maybe your vet could also recommend something. I know that there are certain pheremone sprays that can help calm a cat in a new situation. They are kind of pricey but you could try them.
Oh yes, and I have to agree with someone who replied earlier and said that the 'house rules' should be consistent in both places. I think that is very very important.