We're Moving...Help!

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Elizabeth & Aiden

Elizabeth & Aiden

Member Since 2020
So, my fiancée and I put down a deposit for an apartment last week. Woo hoo! That means we'll finally get to get out into "the real world" again haha. I always planned on leaving Aiden's at my mom's house, as he has lived here for his whole of 11 years. However, after we were given his diabetes diagnosis, I knew he would be coming with us.

However, this poses some issues. First of all, I have never moved with a pet before...I take that back, I've moved with a hamster, but he was cool as a cucumber. Aiden has never been cool as anything haha.

Here are the issues I'm having...
  • Aiden has destructive habits. Tearing wallpaper off the wall when he wants to go outside, scratching up the couch (which, I understand that as other cats before him did it, so why not?), spraying (something I think he mostly does when he feels his litter box isn't clean enough, so we've stepped up the number of times his litter box gets cleaned), scratching the carpet literally down to the wood from trying to get in my room, dragging his bottom on the carpet...how do I curb any of these habits before they start in a new place?
  • What do I do about testing/giving insulin if he's hiding and/or more aggressive than normal?
  • I've heard about using Feliway...would it, or something similar, do anything for this situation?
  • A few of our pieces of furniture have been stored in a house with other cats. Besides washing the bedspreads and wiping down the shelving and bedposts with soap and water...is there anything else we can do so he doesn't freak out over smelling another cat?

I'd love to hear any general tips you have about moving, especially with a sugarkitty. Good news is that this apartment is about five minutes away from where we're living now, so he won't have too long to stress in the car, nor will we have to worry about keeping him locked up while people are going in and out of the house. However, we do plan on just starting him in one room with all his things set up in there.

Thanks for all your help!
 
wow I'd still be waiting lol not tech minded at all GOOD JOB!

Have you ever considered setting up a spreadsheet? Giving dosing advice will be difficult without being able to see how the insulin affects him. (especially before and during an upheaval)

Feliway is made for situations such as this but its only going to go so far. There are other products but I cant say whether they work better.

I think a good cleaner will take care of "smells and leavings" Never had to worry about this before so stay tuned for other ideas.

Heres a link for setting up a spreadsheet:

FDMB SPREADSHEET INSTRUCTIONS
 
Elizabeth & Aiden said:
I have a spreadsheet, I just didn't know it would be relevant for this post. I made another post shortly before this one specifically asking for dosing advice...my issue with moving is what to do if I can't catch him to administer anything :arghh:

Here's his spreadsheet~

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XCFRoDGK3u4XauZ9QloAChjTxvLkr4f0RKh4102e43s/edit?usp=sharing
Click to expand...
Understandable but if folks can see his numbers and the trends it gives a more accurate picture of his overall health. ;)
 
I can see hes in the yellows. To me he might be a little more sensitive to moving right now. Thats all I meant. Going forward I'd try the Feliway.
OR MAYBE I'm over thinking this :p
 
Sorry, I moved it but you replied on here so I wasn't sure what to do haha. I can delete the post here though and wait for comments on the other page? I just didn't know the stance on deleting posts here so I didn't want to get in trouble ;P I'm going to look into the Feliway...it's expensive from what I can tell (or more expensive than I'd hope, I suppose I should say haha), but I wanted to be sure it would actually be helpful before I shelled out the money for it. Or...potentially helpful, I should say. All cats react differently!
 
Leave it there lets see what happens
The Feliway IS expensive too expensive for me . I went with a product called Zen. It worked...ONCE :rolleyes::mad::oops:
Alot of folks here swear by Feliway. So theres that.

You wont get in trouble If I got in trouble for everything Ive deleted I'd be in permanent lock down :p
 
I have moved a few times with cats. First, if possible, wait until you have the furniture and boxes moved into the new place before bringing Aiden over. This way all of the activity will not spook him and keep him from escaping because he is scared.

When you do move him, keep him confined to a single room for a couple days. This will become his safe place. After a couple days, or sooner if he demands it, leave the door open part way so he can come out when he is ready. The reason I say to open the door part way, it still gives him the security if he goes back in to hide. He will come out and spend more time out of the room as he becomes more comfortable.

Also when you place him the room also put in a blanket or clothing that has both of your scents on it. That will also help him feel more comfortable.
 
If he doesn’t go outside, then you can try claw caps for his nails. They’re little soft plastic covers that you glue on the claws to help prevent destruction. They allow the claws to retract normally. There are different brands on on the market — some probably better than others — and they typically stay on for a few weeks, sometimes longer. I’ve used the “Soft Paws” as well as the “Soft Claws” brands. Hint: sometimes it helps to get a colored version rather than the clear ones, not as a fashion statement (lol) but because it’s more obvious when they come off.

As for the “spraying,” is he hitting horizontal surfaces (the floor) or vertical surfaces (such as the wall)? If it’s the floor or something similar, then it’s more likely inappropriate urination. Diabetic cats are more prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) and he might need to be checked by a vet. True spraying typically occurs on vertical surfaces and is more of a marking thing (claiming territory, etc). You might want to look at putting another litter box out or, if the urine is right next to the box, investigating whether he’s inadvertently overshooting the side of the box (diabetic cats who have some degree of neuropathy sometimes don’t squat as much). Dr Elsey’s Cat Attract litter sometimes works to encourage cats to use the litter box. You might also want to check out Dr. Lisa Pierson’s website at www.catinfo.org — she has some very good ideas and suggestions on litter box issues.

As already mentioned, Feliway diffusers can help some cats. There are also calming collars you can try.

I agree about giving him one room for a few days (or a bit longer) to claim as his own and to feel safe and secure in. Once he settles in, you can open the door and let him explore the rest of the apartment on his terms. I wouldn’t rush it. They all have their time clock and he’ll eventually settle in. You will want to keep the door open once he decides to come out as that will be his safe zone in the home for awhile and he’ll probably race back there when frightened. I suggest you leave the food and litter and his bedding in the original location for awhile, and also set up additional stations for food/water/litter outside the room once he ventures out. Nervous cats can be trickier to move but it can be done successfully if you’re patient and thoughtful.

Speaking of bedding, I’d take his current bedding to the new home (don’t wash it) so that he has items that smell like him already and are familiar. Same with anything else (cat tree, scratching post, etc.). That will give him comfort. The exception would be anything he’s already peed on — he’ll be able to smell that and is more likely to pee on those items again, which you don’t want to encourage in the new place.

Finally, be sure to clean any items/spots he has peed with an enzymatic cleaner, which breaks down the source of the odor, not just masks it. My favorite is a product called “Anti Icky Poo.” A product called “Nature’s Miracle” is good too, although they’ve had some formula changes over the years so I’m not sure about the current product. Others here probably have other suggestions as well.

Good luck with your move.
 
I moved with my diabetic cat in June.
I packed slowly over time. And on the day everything was the same, until she had her shot. Then the bedroom was moved into the new place, and then the cats with a feliway diffuser and spray into the new bedroom with old bed sheets that smelled like old home, and I was with them for a few hours while everything else was moved. I also played relaxing cat music from YouTube I really recommend that! Tested during the day and no stress on her BG readings.
When everyone left it was only my sister and I, and then we opened the door to the rest of the house.
My other non diabetic has idiopathic cystitis and reacts strong to stressful situations but he didn't this time.
I kept the feliway diffuser on for about a month afterwards.
It worked better than I could have hoped for.

My sister moved last month with her cat and she also used the feliway diffuser. Her cat also felt right at home.
 
Hi !
We just moved back to Virginia from a 6 month travel assignment in Miami, Florida. My guy used to be terrible in the car and with change but he's gotten so much better. I bought a better car seat/ carrier and used the feliway spray instead of the diffusers. I try to get his stuff set up first before I bring him somewhere- his box, his beds, blankets, food and toys all freshly sprayed with feliway or rolled in cat nip. This car seat allowed him to see what was going on, but not feel exposed- plus I coukd crank the AC and know it was reaching him in the passenger seat.I also give him a bit extra CBD oil for travels which seems to keep him pretty mellow, but not sedate like the Gabapentin can.
I think , all in all, you do what you can- take note of what doesn't work - and adjust!
Good luck to you guys!!!
20201009_114404.jpg

Him sleeping in his car seat ( from Chewy)
 

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I've moved 11 times now with cats. I agree with the "all in place" idea. You open the crate and pretty soon they'll figure out almost everything smells (most important) and looks the same. I've even flown 3,000 miles with two older cats who settled right in. No advice on the furniture, sorry. Our home is decorated in the "Early Motel" style so we do have what some people call furniture, we call it padded wood with some exposed springs to avoid the Martha Stewart look.
Wait for the day you move a 50 gallon aquarium in the dead of winter. That was back when "fish people" believed old water was best so the water alone weighed 417 pounds. I spent hours stuck in traffic begging each fish not to float to the top. They all made it as did the cats.
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
I have moved a few times with cats. First, if possible, wait until you have the furniture and boxes moved into the new place before bringing Aiden over. This way all of the activity will not spook him and keep him from escaping because he is scared.

When you do move him, keep him confined to a single room for a couple days. This will become his safe place. After a couple days, or sooner if he demands it, leave the door open part way so he can come out when he is ready. The reason I say to open the door part way, it still gives him the security if he goes back in to hide. He will come out and spend more time out of the room as he becomes more comfortable.

Also when you place him the room also put in a blanket or clothing that has both of your scents on it. That will also help him feel more comfortable.
Click to expand...

These were all plans I had, so I'm glad I'm thinking on the right track :) Thank you!
 
JL and Chip said:
If he doesn’t go outside, then you can try claw caps for his nails. They’re little soft plastic covers that you glue on the claws to help prevent destruction. They allow the claws to retract normally. There are different brands on on the market — some probably better than others — and they typically stay on for a few weeks, sometimes longer. I’ve used the “Soft Paws” as well as the “Soft Claws” brands. Hint: sometimes it helps to get a colored version rather than the clear ones, not as a fashion statement (lol) but because it’s more obvious when they come off.

As for the “spraying,” is he hitting horizontal surfaces (the floor) or vertical surfaces (such as the wall)? If it’s the floor or something similar, then it’s more likely inappropriate urination. Diabetic cats are more prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) and he might need to be checked by a vet. True spraying typically occurs on vertical surfaces and is more of a marking thing (claiming territory, etc). You might want to look at putting another litter box out or, if the urine is right next to the box, investigating whether he’s inadvertently overshooting the side of the box (diabetic cats who have some degree of neuropathy sometimes don’t squat as much). Dr Elsey’s Cat Attract litter sometimes works to encourage cats to use the litter box. You might also want to check out Dr. Lisa Pierson’s website at www.catinfo.org — she has some very good ideas and suggestions on litter box issues.

As already mentioned, Feliway diffusers can help some cats. There are also calming collars you can try.

I agree about giving him one room for a few days (or a bit longer) to claim as his own and to feel safe and secure in. Once he settles in, you can open the door and let him explore the rest of the apartment on his terms. I wouldn’t rush it. They all have their time clock and he’ll eventually settle in. You will want to keep the door open once he decides to come out as that will be his safe zone in the home for awhile and he’ll probably race back there when frightened. I suggest you leave the food and litter and his bedding in the original location for awhile, and also set up additional stations for food/water/litter outside the room once he ventures out. Nervous cats can be trickier to move but it can be done successfully if you’re patient and thoughtful.

Speaking of bedding, I’d take his current bedding to the new home (don’t wash it) so that he has items that smell like him already and are familiar. Same with anything else (cat tree, scratching post, etc.). That will give him comfort. The exception would be anything he’s already peed on — he’ll be able to smell that and is more likely to pee on those items again, which you don’t want to encourage in the new place.

Finally, be sure to clean any items/spots he has peed with an enzymatic cleaner, which breaks down the source of the odor, not just masks it. My favorite is a product called “Anti Icky Poo.” A product called “Nature’s Miracle” is good too, although they’ve had some formula changes over the years so I’m not sure about the current product. Others here probably have other suggestions as well.

Good luck with your move.
Click to expand...

When he's spraying, it's true spraying- right on the wall. I'm surprised he never got electrocuted, as one of his favorite spots to pee was directly on an outlet...it's rusted so bad we can't change it out :/ He hasn't done it in quite a while, so I'm hoping I did get to the bottom of it that he needed his litter box changed more often (someone else was changing his litter box, but not I primarily do).

I worry about selecting a room for him to be safe in, because the only option is really going to be the guest room...and that's carpeted and he is sooooo messy with his litter and food. Do you have suggestions for anything large I can put down underneath both? The only thing I can think of would be a tarp...but I'm not sure if he'd try to eat it or not lol. It's different than the plastic he usually tries to eat :P

I am going to take all his things along with us, the only change being I'm going to vacuum his hut a few days before because it is coveredddddd in hair haha. Do you suggest completly cleaning his litter box or just scooping like normal and leaving the "old" litter in there?

I will check out the suggestions for places where he may pee. Luckily, he has never peed on items...only on the wall/dripping down to the floor. I am hoping it isn't a habit he takes with him.

Thank you!
 
SashaV said:
I moved with my diabetic cat in June.
I packed slowly over time. And on the day everything was the same, until she had her shot. Then the bedroom was moved into the new place, and then the cats with a feliway diffuser and spray into the new bedroom with old bed sheets that smelled like old home, and I was with them for a few hours while everything else was moved. I also played relaxing cat music from YouTube I really recommend that! Tested during the day and no stress on her BG readings.
When everyone left it was only my sister and I, and then we opened the door to the rest of the house.
My other non diabetic has idiopathic cystitis and reacts strong to stressful situations but he didn't this time.
I kept the feliway diffuser on for about a month afterwards.
It worked better than I could have hoped for.

My sister moved last month with her cat and she also used the feliway diffuser. Her cat also felt right at home.
Click to expand...

I am going to have to look more into the feliway diffuser. We may potentially be moving this weekend, so I don't think it'd get here in time in that case...but I'll check and see if I can find it somewhere where I can go buy it instead of ordering online. Thank you!
 
Si am cat mom said:
Hi !
We just moved back to Virginia from a 6 month travel assignment in Miami, Florida. My guy used to be terrible in the car and with change but he's gotten so much better. I bought a better car seat/ carrier and used the feliway spray instead of the diffusers. I try to get his stuff set up first before I bring him somewhere- his box, his beds, blankets, food and toys all freshly sprayed with feliway or rolled in cat nip. This car seat allowed him to see what was going on, but not feel exposed- plus I coukd crank the AC and know it was reaching him in the passenger seat.I also give him a bit extra CBD oil for travels which seems to keep him pretty mellow, but not sedate like the Gabapentin can.
I think , all in all, you do what you can- take note of what doesn't work - and adjust!
Good luck to you guys!!!View attachment 57140
Him sleeping in his car seat ( from Chewy)
Click to expand...

Aww, I love his car seat! I'm going to have to look into something like that. Luckily, the drive for the move will only be about five minutes, so I'm not worried about that portion of our new journey :) But I am looking to change vets, and a potential new one would be about 35 minutes away, and he stresses in the car...maybe that would help! Thank you!
 
Noah & me (GA) said:
I've moved 11 times now with cats. I agree with the "all in place" idea. You open the crate and pretty soon they'll figure out almost everything smells (most important) and looks the same. I've even flown 3,000 miles with two older cats who settled right in. No advice on the furniture, sorry. Our home is decorated in the "Early Motel" style so we do have what some people call furniture, we call it padded wood with some exposed springs to avoid the Martha Stewart look.
Wait for the day you move a 50 gallon aquarium in the dead of winter. That was back when "fish people" believed old water was best so the water alone weighed 417 pounds. I spent hours stuck in traffic begging each fish not to float to the top. They all made it as did the cats.
Click to expand...

So many moves, oh my!! I have moved myself nearly a dozen times in the past four years (moving to and from college, two apartments, moving back home and moving now), but Aiden has never moved before, nor have I ever moved with a cat. I've moved with a hamster, but he was pretty easy haha! I can't imagine trying to move such a large and full aquarium!!
Thank you!
 
Aquariums are fun at the start. I had a 25 gallon, then went up to the 50 but the money I spent on special light bulbs and chemicals was too much. Now we have a 10 gallon tank and the real plants and snails keep the water clean except for the occasional filter change. There's a place near here that does saltwater aquariums and they even have live coral. Very expensive.
 
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