Moving with Pets

Plum, my cat, loved the old apartment, but it was time for me to leave. The move was a bit traumatic for me, but it really rocked my dear cat's world. To make things worse, I threw out Plum's favorite chair, which he used as a scratching post, and replaced it with a lovely new couch. I have two questions. First, is there any way to ease Plum's relocation anxiety? Second, how can I keep Plum from scratching the new couch without resorting to declawing him?

Moving can be traumatic for humans, but it is far worse for pets since most of their lives are limited to the inside of our homes. It's particularly worse for pets that never venture outside, such as indoor cats. Add to that the removal of one of your pet's favorite pieces of furniture, and you have, effectively, rocked his world. Had you asked me before the move, I would have advised several things:

• First, see if a friend can keep your pet on moving day. It's a hectic time--crates are dropped, doors and windows are left open and strangers come and go with furnishings--which is enough to make any cat's hair stand on end.

• Second, pack your pet's favorite possessions, such as feeding bowls, bed and toys, so that they are the first things taken out in the new home. Something familiar in a strange environment will go a long way toward making your pet feel more comfortable, just like a child with his teddy bear. Sometimes one of your old, dirty sweatshirts will suffice. Cats measure territory by odor, so old things that carry your pet's scent help to create a sense of belonging. Along the same lines, be sure to have your pet's regular food and litter brand readily accessible. Moving day would not be the best time to explore a new neighborhood for your cat's favorite flavor of canned food.

• Last, if your cat does go outdoors, keep him in for a good while after you have moved as he will surely try to find his way back to the old house. If he disappears, look for him at your old home first. Alert the new owner that should a cat appear at her door, it is most likely yours.

If your new space is very large, start your pet off in just a small part of the house with all of his necessities close at hand. Put your cat and his food and litter box in a bedroom for several days. If all seems to be going well, allow your cat the run of the place and make sure to show him where the litter box is situated, perhaps adding it to the one already in use in the bedroom. Once you feel secure enough that the second box is being used, remove the first one.

It's important to understand why your cat is scratching in the first place. It is not so much a destructive behavior as it is a territorial marking instinct. Cats have glands between their toes which give off a secretion that has a distinctive odor. When they scratch objects it is a way of signing their name. This will undoubtedly happen a great deal more in a new home and will be hard to prevent. Some cats merely scratch to remove old molting claws. In this case it is merely a grooming issue, and can be prevented by keeping their nails trim. I recommend cutting them once a week. Here are some suggestions to reduce the damage to your new furniture:

• If the old chair is still accessible, cut a piece of material from it large enough to cover a scratching post. If the cat scratched vertically (the sides or back of the chair), use a standing post, and if he scratched horizontally (the seat) use a flat board. If you cannot find the old chair, find a fabric similar in texture and use that. Encourage your cat to use the post by placing a toy, such as a cat dancer, or some fresh catnip at the top of it.

• To keep your pet from destroying your new chair or sofa, try placing balloons along its perimeter and either pop the balloons as the cat nears or let the cat pop the balloon on his own the first time he attempts to scratch. There are also repellents available in spray form that keep cats off furniture. These are available at most pet supply stores, as are electrified mats that give a gentle jolt if your pet ends up on the cushions, which may be a bit excessive. Keep in mind that all of these practices will keep your cat far away from the sofa, so you may miss out on some quality snuggling in these sites. Once you make the couch off limits for scratching, it becomes undesirable for any purpose.

I don't think it's a good idea to declaw your pet right after a move. The procedure entails removing the last digits of the front feet, which is very traumatic, especially for a pet who is already stressing over the new digs. This should never be considered if your cat ventures outdoors.

In my experience, some cats take a move very hard, and at times I have had to medicate them with antianxiety drugs. These have been occasions where the cat has stopped eating and has taken to hiding for days on end. This could become even more devastating if the owners don't take action and let the cats wither away. If your cat has entered a severe depression, seek veterinary assistance immediately. A cat who goes off their feed for even three days can develop an irreversible liver ailment so it is very important that this not be overlooked.

Be encouraged that cats do adapt to most new situations. As time passes, Plum should learn to call your present place home. Just try not to move too much.

Dr. Peter Kross, DVM, has had his own veterinary practice, the Rivergate Veterinary Clinic in New York City, since 1989. He lives in Manhattan with his three white boxers, Buchanan, Wilhelmina and Laila.