In a couple of months time my mum is moving to a place where our cats won't be allowed, therefore meaning we'll be moving them to my dad's place. However, there's already been a cat there for about 10 years...
How do I settle them in, get them to know nearby boundaries, not run away, etc...
And how do I make the really old cat not get all "this is my house" and start attacking them?
I've been googling around but any proper first-hand advice would be nice
Thanks
In our terrace there are a couple of perenially underfed cats.
My mother being the potential cat woman that she is is forever letting them in for a spot of food.
Our cat doesn't like them and used to take swipes at them, chase them and hiss at them. After a while he has got used to their regular incursions. He still doesn't like them but doesn't get hugely aggro with them.
After a while they'll get used to each other. Until then you'll just need to keep them indoors for a week or so and make sure that when they are out they have adequate contact details on their collars.
Hmm, I'm a bit worried that
a) my dad will put too much food out (that's what he does for Pele, the one who's already there. But he eats a sensible amount). Crystal would be massively greedy and get really fat.
b) one of the moving cats would be really hostile too. she's lovely, but aggressive.
c) don't cats start to wee when their territory is under threat? I don't want cat wee :(
But, yay, thanks
Or
get them microchipped as cats are quite good at losing collars.
You could try keeping the new cats in a separate room at first, and introduce them to the old cat gradually. Don't let them outside for a few weeks until they're used to the new house.
Cats are awesome.
It's difficult to know exactly what will happen as cats can behave very differently to each other. How many cats are being moved in? More than one seems a bit unfair for the old one... with regards to stopping them running away, they need to be kept in for a couple of weeks so they know it's their new pad. After that they'll be fine. Space should be given so they can settle themselves in on their own terms. That's about it really, just don't force the buggers. If they're aggressive, separate them for a bit and feed them together.
The person whose mum is feeding the underfed cats knocking about. It would be much more in their interest to have the RSPCA check them out than just feed them. That just doesn't solve the problem and means their diet is probably not balanced.
My dad
relocated his overweight, overfurry moggy when he moved in with his woman. They were a little hostile at first (the cats, not my dad and his gf) but now they are the best of friends. Yay for cat love!
Bag, Brick
River.
sorry,
quite alergic to cats.
Don't let them out for two weeks
Until they're used to their new territory and know the smell of the place well enough to be able to find their way back. This is the golden rule. Don’t even let them out to pee. Get a cat tray. If this means you have to let the other cat in and out all day, then sobeit.
Tried and tested with my folks and various house moves over the years and it works.
Regarding the other cat - well - they all have personalities. Either master cat will mark the place as their territory or it won't. There's nothing you can do about it. Bringing new cats into the family has usually resulted in a clear master - but eventually that master becomes accustomed to/becomes fond of the other cats. It takes time though. Over the first week or two you may want to separate the fighting ones - but only for brief periods. They have to get used to each other and fighting is all part of it, even if it upsets you.
Disclaimer* I am not a vet.