moving and introducing cats

by A. Lindahl

Hello,

My boyfriend and I live seperately and we each have a cat. We will be moving in together in a new home within the next 6 months, and we are nervous about introducing the cats. One cat is 4 years old, one is 8 months. We are worried that the introduction, combined with the new environment might be too much at once. Should we introduce them before moving to the new home? Or would it be better to wait until we move?

Answer by Kate
There is no point introducing them before you move as they won't really remember each other and won't be able to build any bonds until they do live together.

Basically you have two issues firstly the move for both cats will be stressful and then the meeting of another cat is another issue.

You will have to take small steps and be very organised about the whole thing if you have any chance of a easy transition and future harmony between the cats.

Please read my page about moving with cats. you will have to follow this process and provide two separate areas for the cats for a few days to allow them to get used to their new environment.

Then you will have to follow the introduction process period which can take up to a week of so before you may feel confident enough of the cats reaction to each other (all cats are different, some accept quickly while others take longer).

Here are the two pages covering these issues
https://www.our-happy-cat.com/moving-with-cat.html
https://www.our-happy-cat.com/introducing-cats.html

best wishes and good luck in your new home

Kate

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