Acclimation stress for my cat

by Susan
(Seattle, WA)

I recently got engaged and preparing to move into his house, I have a cat and he has a dog. They have been around each other slightly here at my place. I am really concerned on how to acclimate him (my cat) to a new house with this dog.

The dog is a a yellow lab and seems more interested than anything in the cat. My cat a tabby has always been an indoor/outdoor cat since he showed up one day. I want to make him indoor only at the new place also.
Please help.
Susan

Answer by Kate
Firstly can I say that it will be very difficult and stressful for your cat to be kept inside from now on as he has been used to going out in the past. I think you will have a few problems emotionally and behaviourally if you do keep him in. Sorry, but I have had experience of trying to keep a cat in who was used to going out fro just a few days and it was awful, I had to let them out in the end.
About introducing your cat to a new home and dog, please read my pages about moving home and introducing cats (same for a dog) I find that if you can take the process slowly eventually your cat and dog will settle down together far better in the long run.
Congratulations on your engagement and I wish you every happiness in your new home.

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/introducing-cats.html

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/moving-with-cat.html

---