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10-03-2003, 06:07 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Groveland,Florida
Posts: 564
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For all the cat people out there.
I just moved to my new house two days ago and let me just say that I was a tad bit stressed.Needless to say I took some of that stress out on my cat.Shes now buried under all my covers on the bed and will not come out.How long do cats usually stay freaked out?This is the 2nd time I've moved with her and both times she just about had nervous breakdowns.I'm trying to reassure her and tell her everything is ok.But,I think shes afraid of me right now.I wasn't exactly to gentle getting her to go in the transport box.I could kick myself for being so nasty to her.Sometimes I'm a real jerk.Any advice would be appreciated.
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10-03-2003, 06:15 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: South Bay, CA
Posts: 600
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Well, I won't rant on ya since you already know you messed up....cats are extremely sensitive animals. You can expect the cat, when she DOES come out, to be avoiding you.
Some cats adapt okay to a move, some don't adapt at all. But believe it; they KNOW as soon as stuff goes into boxes that something is wrong. They don't have the intellectual capacity to understand the WHY of it, just that their sense of security is going bye-bye.
Give her a couple of days, and just understand that however much stress you experienced with the whole thing, she felt it a LOT more.
In the meantime, you could get some stinky Mackeral, put it in a dish in the room. I bet it'll go a long way in patching her up!  | |
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10-03-2003, 06:24 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Groveland,Florida
Posts: 564
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10-03-2003, 06:33 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: MA
Posts: 1,154
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I guess I depends on her personality. I have two cats one isn't really bothered by anything he just sits and stares into space for hours. The other is so skittish you walk into a room and he takes off, we've had him since a kitten and no one ever did anything abusive to him, I couldn't imagine moving with him we really can't even take him to a Vet he freaks out so much. Like Knot said give her some time to get used to the changes
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10-03-2003, 07:07 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,119
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Alittle time will reassure your love and your cat will come around appreciating you very soon...
My cat finds security in her carrycrate---she bails to it as soon as the vet allows her---ive left it open on the porch and found her sleeping in it---odd eh?
She rides in it monthly to the groomer that she adores---that might have something to do with it...
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10-03-2003, 07:21 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA USA
Posts: 6,966
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A move is pretty traumatic experience for a cat. They don't like their surroundings fooled with...and to be transported to completely new surroundings usually freaks them out pretty good.
One of the best ways to overcome their anxiety is to be really close and pay them an extraordinary amount of attention for the first few days. The message you're trying to convey to them is that even though our surroundings have changed I'm still here and I'm still going to take care of you. But it sounds like you may have instilled some doubt in place of whatever trust she had in you. The whole environment change is traumatic enough for the kitty but on top of that she had to be frightened of you, her master, the one person she could trust? You put that poor kitty through a lot. It may take quite some time for her to warm up to you. And if you try to force it she may never warm up to you…you just have to wait it out.
In the meantime do all you can to tend to her every need. Surround her with as much stuff from your old place as possible. Stuff that she'll be familiar with and will hopefully help make her more comfortable. Let her see you getting fresh food and a CLEAN water dish every day for her. She'll start to remember you're not someone to be frightened of, but someone to trust.
Try to play with her, but don't force it. She may not want to play with you for some time. That's ok. You still try, everyday. If she doesn't want to play then leave her be. Give her a kiss on head and try again tomorrow.
As Knot said, it also couldn't hurt to try to bribe her with some special treats.
I'm assuming she's an inside cat. If she not, then keep her inside for at least a week maybe more. Otherwise it might be the last you see of her.
Above all, don't expect to be forgiven by her too soon. It could take many weeks before you guys are even back to square one. And again, don't force the issue. Don't think you can smother her with love for a couple days and then everything will be back to normal. Depending on her personality, this is probably going to take many weeks. Just let it happen. Let her come to you. Be patient, it will happen…eventually.
When I went to work in Denver and had to leave my buddy Simon with relatives for approx. 8 months it was pretty rough. When I returned home Simon wouldn't even acknowledge my existence. He didn't act like he didn't know me…because he's very cautious and hesitant around strangers. But he literally acted is if I were invisible. Just totally, and obviously intentionally, ignored me. It took a good 3 weeks to for things to start to return to normal. And it was probably 6 months before everything was completely back to normal.
At least you have some remorse for what you did, and that's good. If it were another human you're dealing with then you could say you're sorry and hope that they understand and forgive. Unfortunately, as smart as some cats are, they don't understand language the way we do so it won't be that simple. It's gonna take time and a lot of work on your part to fix this. That should be punishment enough for your actions. DON'T let it happen again. | |
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10-03-2003, 07:34 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Western PA
Posts: 2,296
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yeah....OuT's definitely a cat person 
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10-03-2003, 08:44 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: South Bay, CA
Posts: 600
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"Cat people" are the BEST people.
It takes patience and insight to love a cat, they are extra-ordinary creatures. And the way they love you back, it's amazing. They DO respond to your emotions, I sincerely believe. They know when you're wounded, and they do their darndest to help.
The rest of the time, they just want sensual pleasure (ever skritch their butts and see 'em do "elevator butt"? lol!) and attention.
Cats are actually a LOT like women, I think! | |
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10-03-2003, 10:27 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 590
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While I do agree with the rest about giving her a bit more time, I have to disagree with Knothead's suggestion to give her 'Stinky Mackeral' or any kind of fish, meant for humans is bad for cats. But the suggestion to give her a special treat is a sound idea. I suggest trying Pounce. Our guys go crazy for it, or maybe a good strong scented catnip will make her happy.
Good luck, and yes, as sensitive as they tend to be, they will forgive you eventually.
The CaAaT
(You think you had it bad moving one cat? Try moving 8 of them! LOL)
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Cats are angels with fur!
Last edited by angelcat; 10-03-2003 at 10:31 PM.
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10-03-2003, 10:36 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: close to Los Angeles
Posts: 934
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Feed it a gerbil but not me
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**Gerbil Army strikes soon**
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