Cat Problem.

[cupid04]

We've just had a new kitchen fitted and our 12 year old tom cat refuses to go
in there for his food. I know cats don't like change. We've taken to feeding
him in the front room which is not ideal. We've tried tempting him over the
kitchen threshhold but he seems genuinely anxious.How could we resolve
this? Do you think he will eventually get used to it? Has anyone else had
similar problems?

[wolf63]

Have you tried this stuff - http://www.feliway.com/gb

I know with cats sometimes if you make a fuss to get them to do something it seems to make them even more determined not to do it.

I would leave his food in the kitchen and leave it - nice smelly stuff might entice him into the room. They can be a bl00dy pest sometimes.

[RATTER15]

Sometime!!!

[Eve]

Is there a different floor in the new kitchen?

[boxtops]

Have you laid a new floor, cupid? You've changed his habitat - perhaps there is a smell in the new kitchen which is not nice to a cat, glue or something like that. Pick him up and carry him into the kitchen, talking soothingly - then take him back into the front room again. Does he have to go through the kitchen to go out to poo? - he needs to know that he is still safe to do that, you don't want him sneaking off somewhere indoors to poo if he feels the kitchen is too scary.

[Rodge2]

What about a trail of irresistible food from the hall into the offending area?

[cupid04]

Thankyou for all your replies. We did have new tiles laid, perhaps he finds it a
bit cold. [ Mr. Cupid suggested knitting him some bootees]. Cats certainly
know how to get everything on their terms. I've also run from the lounge to
the kitchen trailing his toy mouse behind me, but he still stops at the kitchen
entrance. He did eat a little bit earlier when I carried him out into the kitchen.
I had some trouble though as he clung to the hall carpet with his claws for all
he was worth. I suppose we will get there eventually with some gentle
coaxing. I shall buy him some tasty titbits tomorrow and try again.

[boxtops]

spend time in the kitchen yourself, cupid, so he sees you're not scared of it. I bet it's the new smell he doesn't like.

[Eve]

Have you used any kind of strong cleaning stuff, especially on the new floor they could be avoiding the smell of as well.

Chances are it's all newness, especially the floor. I was going to say the same as Boxtops, make it was unthreatening as possible - maybe a bit of bribery thrown in in that nice things are found in the kitchen! Does he have triggers that he might just override the fear in his head for - something like the carving knife on a Sunday lunch meaning nice meat titbits are on the way?

Maybe linger in it a bit, chat away to the cat from the kitchen like all is normal and just keep calling him in.

[horseshoes]

My cat eats her food in the kitchen sometimes...... sometimes she likes to eat it by the patio doors (closed)....... the sometimes she likes to eat it al fresco. She meows for her food and when I get it ready she runs to the door and back again until I follow her..it's her way of telling me she wants to eat outside. Why am I such a b****y slave to her?

[carmalee]

sorry to so prosaic - just feed him where he's happy for a while - don't make a fuss and he won't - over time move him to where you want him to feed (bearing in mind this is a cat so not usually open to suggestions)

[micmak]

Cats !!!! don't you just love em what ever they do.

[Jemisa]

He probably thinks if he refuses long enough it will all go away & be his old habitat again. Eventually he'll twig on & say to himself "I don't think i'm going to get my way this time" and he'll give in,
Just leave his food out there with the door open, he will not starve himself.
Show him he is NOT the boss in your house.

jem