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Hi all. I'm planning on moving out on my own this month and briefly considered taking my cat Emilio Estevez with me. I reconsidered however because he has a pretty standard routine, and a specific "territory" I guess. I thought taking him away from what he's most familiar with wouldn't be such a good idea. It sucks to not be able to take him, but I wouldn't want the move to mess with his head or anything. He has a pretty good life as it is, he would be staying with my mom if I don't take him along with me.
He's 7 years old. Would it be possible and safe for him if I just plopped him into a brand new place?
people move with cats all the time. some adjust.
best would be if you could make him an indoor cat. I'm very much in favor of indoor only cats. it is heartbreaking to have a cat killed by wild animals or cars. the guilt you feel is horrible to say nothing of the pain for the animal. many outdoor kitties adjust well to being inside.
if you insist on moving with him will you have your own yard or in apartment complex where he might annoy others climbing on cars, refusing to move from stairs, etc? whatever put him on a leash and walk him around the area so he can know the smells. if possible leave him in his carrier in the yard to learn the noises and smells. gradually introduce him to his new surroundings. One problem you might encounter is he might be intruding on another's already claimed territory and he could be attacked or challenged.
BUT if your mom loves him, he is happy there and is taken care of it might be best to just let him stay where he is.
He's 7 years old. Would it be possible and safe for him if I just plopped him into a brand new place?
If this is an indoor-outdoor cat I would leave him where he is known and familiar. You can't know what will happen if you let him go outside in a strange area.
I have a cat that travels - she is actually travel cat #2.
It really depends on the cat.
My travel cat #1 would venture out where ever we were and when we started the motorhome, he'd come running. He surprised me with this quality since he had been raised for his first two years in an apartment with his previous caretaker. I got him and tried to keep him indoors since she had him declawed. But he wanted out so bad and in his first escape, he went to my van and sat in it as if to say 'take me someplace'.
He traveled from Southern California to Maine and back without any issues- and never a leash, he hated being restricted.
Cats know where easy food is and will not give that up too easy.
Travel cat #2 enjoys her outings. We have taken her to festivals and camping ('primitive'- not state or private campgrounds. She knows that the tent is 'home for here'.
I believe that she looks forward to it. When the truck is getting loaded with gear, she hovers and will get on or in the truck.
But like I say, every cat is different. Some adjust like its no big deal at all, others can be scared or confused.
It also depends on what the outdoor cat population is like at place #2 - a single aggressive and territorial male (or even female) can and will chase Emilio out, or even kill him.
Or different traffic patterns. Or hawk or dog populations. Or crazy, evil neighbors who put out poison. Or any of the many other things that quite often kill outdoor cats.
Or if Emilio has never moved before, he may become so freaked out that he'll take off and you'll never see him again.
I have personal experience that attests to both of the above. I have moved with indoor-outdoor cats (in my younger years) and fewer than 50 percent stayed around. Also a neighbor and I care for a feral colony now and the dominant male (now neutered) chases off any new cat and I suspect has killed kittens. I've seen many cats and kittens show up briefly, then disappear; he is very aggressive towards any cat that isn't "his."
Also, Emilio is seven and you're (presumably, correct me if I am wrong) renting; assuming he lives out his natural cat lifespan of somewhere between 15-20 years, how many times to you expect him to have to move with you?
Honestly I would leave him at his home that he is used to and presumably safe. He is happy where he is. He will most likely be very distressed if you move him and disrupt his routine.
Get another cat if you want one in your life and keep it an indoor cat.
It also depends on what the outdoor cat population is like at place #2 - a single aggressive and territorial male (or even female) can and will chase Emilio out, or even kill him.
Or different traffic patterns. Or hawk or dog populations. Or crazy, evil neighbors who put out poison. Or any of the many other things that quite often kill outdoor cats.
Or if Emilio has never moved before, he may become so freaked out that he'll take off and you'll never see him again.
I have personal experience that attests to both of the above. I have moved with indoor-outdoor cats (in my younger years) and fewer than 50 percent stayed around. Also a neighbor and I care for a feral colony now and the dominant male (now neutered) chases off any new cat and I suspect has killed kittens. I've seen many cats and kittens show up briefly, then disappear; he is very aggressive towards any cat that isn't "his."
Also, Emilio is seven and you're (presumably, correct me if I am wrong) renting; assuming he lives out his natural cat lifespan of somewhere between 15-20 years, how many times to you expect him to have to move with you?
Honestly I would leave him at his home that he is used to and presumably safe. He is happy where he is. He will most likely be very distressed if you move him and disrupt his routine.
Get another cat if you want one in your life and keep it an indoor cat.
I agree with this post.
When I moved out when I was 20 I left my cat home. I missed her terribly, but she was 8 years old and used to her home and the other pets, and like your boy, indoor/outdoor. I didn't think it was fair to uproot her. My little sister used to comb her and send me the fur from the comb. She did miss me, but I think she would have missed the other cat she was bonded to, and the dog, and her home, more.
I waited a couple years, and then when the time was right and the situation presented itself, got another cat. He, of course, came with me when I moved from Texas to New York, and again through a couple more moves after that. (as have subsequent cats) But that was different, it was just me and him, and he was an indoor cat, I wasn't uprooting him from his whole family and territory.
Thanks for your replies and advice everybody. I will leave Emilio with my mom, he is beloved there and spoiled lol But most of all knows that place very well and is comfortable. My new place is in a high traffic area and I wouldn't want him getting hurt or killed because he wasn't familiar with his new surroundings. For now I will have to visit him lol
Thanks for your replies and advice everybody. I will leave Emilio with my mom, he is beloved there and spoiled lol But most of all knows that place very well and is comfortable. My new place is in a high traffic area and I wouldn't want him getting hurt or killed because he wasn't familiar with his new surroundings. For now I will have to visit him lol
Somewhere Emilio has an evil step brother - WINNING!
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