The Cat Bible Q&A
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
The Stress of a New Home
We recently moved to a new house about 1/2 mile from our old house of 17 years, and the ONLY house our 5 year old, semi-feral male neutered cat "Monty" has ever known. Our other two cats, Tigger and Pepsi, both "indoor/outdoor cats" have made the transition and are content in their new quarters - our master bedroom. Monty has managed to escape twice and the second time he made his way home to our old house. Our neighbor called and we managed to find him and bring him home again. Needless to say, we are being vigilant and trying to keep him in our bedroom, with the other two, but are there anything, other than house arrest, to help him feel that this is now "home". There are no current litter box
issues (I have three set up for the three cats), plenty of fresh water and they are being fed twice a day, as was the custom before. The biggest problem seems to come in the wee hours of the night when the
nocturnal side of this cat comes alive and he paces while yowling, as if he's being tortured. I'm afraid my husband isn't going to be very tolerant much longer. He loves the cats, but he needs to sleep. Any ideas?
Betsy
Hi Betsy -
It took me a little while to think of some ways to help your yowling kitty cat and I turned to "Dear Sally," the behavior consultant on CAT CHAT for some ideas. She had some useful thoughts:
How about a play session and snack just before bedtime? That is always a good way to release energy and tension in any cat and settle them down for the night. Try to make the meal and play as late as you can to fit in with his natural rhythm.
If he has a feral background, he probably has insecurities that are resurfacing in the new environment. Try giving him some extra attention. Sally points out that there are some custom-tailored Bach flower remedies made just for cats at www.SpiritEssence.com (which is also linked on Dear Sally's page on www.CatChatRadio.com). She says there are several remedies that may work -- the names of them are New Beginnings, Stress Stopper, and Loss Remedy.
And we both recommend putting in a cat door that leads to a simple enclosure outside fro him and all the cats to enjoy. If you go on the Cat Chat website above, you will find a link fro a great product called Purrfect Fence: it uses the black PVC deer fencing and easy-to-install poles to create a play yard that you can easily move to another location and that will give the cat the pleasures of being outdoors without the dangers. In any case, however you choose to build some kind of an outdoor enclosure for all the cats to enjoy it will surely solve your problem. Your husband's desire fro some peace and quiet will probably be a good motivator to have him help you!
Good luck,
Tracie.
P.S. If you pre-order a copy of THE CAT BIBLE on the link at www.TheCatBible.com you’ll get one of the first copies next month and many more useful tips are in there.
The information contained in the answers posted on this board comes from THE CAT BIBLE: Everything Your Cat Expects You To Know, and from CAT CHAT™ The Radio Show, broadcasting live on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Channel 112 on Sirius Satellite Radio, every Wednesday from 8-9 p.m. EST.
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DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the advice I give on the air or in emails – or those you see posted here – are not intended to take the place of a veterinarian's advice or expertise. I say this to protect myself from being misunderstood or from your over-reliance on my advice in situations where your pet may be seriously ill and you would mistakenly delay seeking medical intervention. While I am confident in the research-based facts and common-sense advice I can offer, it is never meant to be used at the exclusion of trained, accredited and board certified professionals. But I also have this disclaimer to protect your dog – because what you learn from me is not intended to take the place of medical care or professional evaluation – on the contrary, my desire is to equip you with information that will allow you to enjoy your pets to the fullest, and also to encourage you to seek professional medical attention whenever there are physical symptoms or an overall change in your pet's attitude.
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
