Moving an old cat - advice and views

[CiderMonkey]

Our cat is 17/18 years old and currently lives with my family (I stay there at weekends and holidays). She has, for a while now, started to mew loudly at people. It seems it is just to get some attention. Nobody at home talks to her or strokes to her or anything. She was fine with me when I stayed with her for one week in the summer and when I am with her at weekends. I think she just misses the odd stroke and hug. Now when she mews she gets put in the garden or told to shut up (poor thing!). She has also started to get a little picky about food which the folks aren't happy about. And she has had a wee indoors twice this year which they were very cross about. They are just waiting for her to die, it seems.

I shall be buying a house very shortly and have said I will take her with me. Her mewing and fussiness doesn't bother me - i think that as a so very old lady she needs a bit of pampering! She seems fine other than being a bit slow.

I guess I will have to keep her indoors (at least at first)and will need a litter tray and will need to be ready for her having accidents. I can keep her in the kitchen/conservatory while we are at work, with her tray and food and water.

I am worried the move might stress her out as it will be all new. Has anyone got any advice or views? I would rather not move her but I am sure it can't be a nice life for her being ignored or shouted at all the time.

[maggie01]

I am sure she will think she has gone to heaven. I know they are your family, but what a sad way to treat a cat. I doubt she will be anymore stressed out by the move than spending her days without any love. At her age she deserves all the love you can give her and I am sure she will be fine. She is very lucky to have someone like you who cares for her. Make her last few years happy ones. All the Best!

[funnywebsite]

She will be fine after getting used to the new place. Cats love exploring anyway. Keep her in for a week for her to get to learn her new habitat. At that age I expect she sleeps most of the day anyway.

[woofgang]

elderly cats are rehomed successfully. Does she have a bed or blanket that you can take with you (unwashed) to help her to settle in at the new place?

I think that you should do it and good luck she is a lucky cat.

[drgnrdr]

When any animal changes it's normal routine or behavior a trip to the vet is needed, she could, at 17-18 have a tooth ache, or Bladder problem or she could go deaf, and meows at your parents and when they yell she hears that and knows where they are and such with you she gets attention and love to reassure her without causing a fuss.

Watch out if she is going deaf and is a bit slow, she may loose her sight, so walks slower and is more cautious, I would not put her outside if these are happening.

If all these things you discuss with your vet and he checks it out and she is just a senior cat and all is well then take her with you and make her last years happy ones and give her lots of attention.

How you ended up affectionate and loving to animals when your parents aren't, says an amazing thing about you and your character. Good Luck..~/:\~

[Litchick]

This post broke my heart and I actually starting crying! CiderMonkey you are an angel!!! Please give this baby (cause we all know all pets are our babies no matter how old they get!) all the love and kisses she can handle and please throw in some extra from me!!!!xxx

[Litchick]

PS - CiderMoneky --- is there any way possible that you could take her now??

[CiderMonkey]

thanks for your answers. I now feel more confident that she will be fine when we move her.

woofgang - no, she doesn't have a bed/blanket. Shame, as that sounds like a good idea.

drgnrdr & IAP - i think i will take her to the vet. she sometimes doesn't look right away when called so perhaps she may be going deaf. which would also explain the loud mewing.

Litchick - sadly i can't take her now but hopefully i will have bought my house in the next few weeks so will move her asap.

Thanks to you all for your best wishes!

[drgnrdr]

For a thought to follow woofgangs tip, take a blanket/bed she will have in your home over to your parents and let it soak up the smells and such until you move her, that way it will smell like what she is use to.

I did this to the pup I got from the foster home, I took a towel over to let her(foster) rub the mother and let it be in her(foster) home and put it in with the other pups for a short spell and I picked it up at the same time I picked my 8 week old pup.