Moving Caleb

by Steffie
(Aberdeen)

Due to unforeseen circumstances my partner and I are having to move out of our city flat back to our parents homes.
We have an 8month male kitten (indoor cat due to busy roads!) whom we got at christmas and who will have to move with us. Due to my partner's parents redecorating we can't move him in with them, and so he shall be moving with me to my mothers in a much quieter village.
Problem is that my mother has a 17 year old female outdoor cat who doesn't need to be stressed out as she suffered from a heart attack a few years ago.
The two cats have met before when Caleb (kitten) was only a few months old. Caleb hissed and fluffed himself up whilst hiding under the kitchen table, whereas Tilly just looked at him briefly and walked on. She also sniffed all of his things, but never seemed to bat an eyelid at the fact another cat was in her home.
Further complications occur as we only have the weekend off to introduce them as our flat inspection is this coming wednesday(25th) and he has to be removed before this time. We move out on the 4th of June.

We may introduce Caleb to the outdoors too as there is quieter roads and plenty of places for him to explore! Is this best to do on a leash or will we just butter up his paws and hope he returns?!

Thank you in advance!!

RESPONSE:

It is likely that your mom's 17 yo cat will continue to be uncerned by Caleb - unless he bothers her than she will likely just put him in his place. When you first arrive, put Caleb in his own room and leave out items with his scent on it (like a towel rubbed on his face and body) for the resident cat to get used to. Do the same with the other cat and rub her scent on Caleb. Use "scented" towels as placemats for their feeding so they will learn to associate good things with each other's scent. After a day or two, let Caleb out of his room to explore his new surroundings, and let the other cat explore the room Caleb was in. Then just see how it goes. As to letting Caleb outdoors, we don't advocate letting cats go outside to wander the neighborhood because of the many dangers they can encounter but it is entirely up to you if you do it and how you do it. We don't let any of our babies run free outside because it is just too heartbreaking to have them dissappear and never know what has become of them.

Donna - House Full Cats Mom