Cat Behaviour Problems: Settling into a new home

Going to a boarding cattery, Breeding catteries:

Question: I have only had my rescue cat, Gnasher, for about eight months but he's settled in really well, he's affectionate and seems very happy.

However, I'm going on holiday and, although I've booked him into a reputable cattery, I'm very worried about leaving him.

Do cats recall their owners in the same way that dogs do and, if so, will he be unhappy while I'm away? Any advice you can give would be gratefully received as I'm so worried about leaving him.

Answer: He won’t have forgotten you or his home and will quickly return to his old self once he returns from the cattery (he may be a bit disgruntled or ‘clingy’ for a few days, but this will soon disappear). Cats get almost as attached to territories as they do to their owners and going to a cattery can be quite stressful for some cats.

However, they seem to adjust to their confinement quite well and if it’s only for a few weeks, he will be able to cope with it easily. It is a safer option that leaving him at home as you know he will be well looked after if you have chosen a good cattery.

It is unlikely that he will sit there wondering where you are, so try not to worry or think about him too much as this won’t help and will just spoil your holiday. Take his bed and toys so that he has something with him that smells familiar and I’m sure he will have a far better time than you imagine.

Question: I've looked at all sorts of advice about moving house with cats and most of it seems to suggest keeping them indoors for about three weeks once moved. My two cats are 4 years old and have always lived in our current house.

They're booked into the cattery for the move but both, particularly Buzz (male) love going outside. Do we have to keep them in for three weeks? I'm sure they will hate it and create havoc!

Answer: The reason that the advice recommends waiting so long is that cats get lost easily when transported to a new territory with no recognisable landmarks. It is necessary for them to establish their home as their core territory so that they have a safe place to run back to when making their first explorations before they are let out.

This can take less than 3 weeks, but it takes at least one week to settle down and one week to begin to get used to all the new smells and noises. A further week helps you be sure they have settled in properly. It is better to be safe than sorry as it is not easy to find a frightened, confused cat lost in a new place. Keep them occupied with toys and new objects to explore while they are inside and they probably accept their confinement more easily than you think.

Escort them in the garden the first few times before bringing them back in for feeding so they get to know part of their outside world before going off alone. When they do venture further afield, ensure they are hungry so you can call them back in soon afterwards before they have strayed too far.

A good leaflet on moving home with cats is available from The Blue Cross Please send a s.a.e. and a donation to: The Blue Cross, Shilton Road, Burford, Oxon OX18 4PF

Question: I have had my 2 year old exotic shorthair since January and he has only recently become relaxed in his surroundings.

He is an indoor cat and only has contact with me; I have no other pets. He was previously with a family of two children and three other cats. He has been showing signs of immense stress, jumping at every little noise or movement, and is very wary of the windowsill and his mattress, both of which he loves.

I have no idea what could have made him so nervous; there have been no loud noises or new people. He doesn't have fleas, but could this be a possible reason?

Answer: No, fleas won’t be the reason for his nervousness. It is very likely that the cause of his fear stems from his very early life with his breeder. Pedigree kittens are often kept in catteries until they are 12 weeks old.

Since the critical time for getting them used to everyday sights, smells and sounds is between 3 and 7 weeks, many pedigree cats grow up afraid of things that we take for granted such as everyday noises and movements.

Sadly, there is no real solution to the problem other than giving him plenty of time, patience and kindness to come to terms with things on his own. Let him hide away if he wants to and give him selves to jump onto and boxes to hide in as this will help.

Gradually expose him to things that worry him, always allowing him to retreat if he needs to and he will slowly overcome his concerns.

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