Moving to a new apartment or house is often difficult - especially if you have a cat that will also be moved to a new home.
Difficulties can arise even if the cat is adequate, and the owner knows a lot about caring for her and knows how to cope with various situations. The pet may be frightened by something in the new home or experience severe stress from the situation itself - this is especially important to consider if the cat has increased anxiety.
By taking into account several recommendations regarding moving with a cat, you can minimize the risks of injury and escape of your pet, as well as find him if he got scared and hid so that he is nowhere to be seen.
A cat got lost in an apartment or house when moving - what to do?
A common scenario is that a person moves a cat into a new home, lets it out of its carrier, the cat quickly runs out and disappears to an unknown location. She is not visible either in the corridor, or in the rooms, or in the kitchen. The fact is that the pet is scared and disoriented, and the natural reaction to this is to hide in any shelter as quickly as possible.
Of course, the owner can not worry and go about his business. Probably, by nightfall the cat will get out and go explore the space. But still, most cat owners will worry and search. In addition, you need to make sure that the pet has not climbed somewhere where there are potentially dangerous substances and objects.
Most likely, in a stressful situation, the cat will not come when called, so it is recommended:
- Calm down. A frightened and lost pet is unlikely to come out if it feels that the person is also restless;
- Turn on calm, relaxing music. Cats respond well to this;
- Arrange bowls, scratching post, tray. Rustling the bag of food;
- Use a teaser toy to attract the animal to a sound associated with positive emotions;
- Say your pet's name in a calm voice.
If the cat is found in a hiding place (under the bed, behind the sofa, behind the curtain in the bathroom, etc.), but does not want to come out of it, there is no need to force it out of there. You should make sure that everything is okay with her and give her the opportunity to come to her senses.
The pet may not allow itself to be detected for several hours. If the above measures do not help, it is recommended that you remain calm, prepare (heat, buy) food and start eating. It is very likely that the cat, smelling food and hearing familiar sounds, will come to see what the owner is doing and why someone is eating without her.
There is a high probability that the cat will retain signs of being stressed in the first days after the move - these include decreased appetite, walking on bent paws, and distrust. This is a natural reaction to a change in habitat. The pet's condition will soon return to normal.
How to stop a cat from sleeping on upholstered furniture
It is well known that a cat living at home, even knowing perfectly well where its “bedroom” is located, in the absence of its owners and even in the presence of some of the kindest of them, prefers to rest not at all in the straw or rug standing under the threshold, but on a soft sofa, while generously covering the blanket, or even the duvet cover and sheets, with hairs of its fur. What can you do - the constant delight caused by the dashing cat tricks, regular games with the pet, every expression of one’s affection for it quite naturally gives rise to a feeling of permissiveness in him and puts him in his own mind on the same level as a person.
One can even say that in fact, the owner, who has shown the cat his affection for him in every possible way, does not have the moral right, after fun games, walks together, scratching behind the ears and other manifestations of good attitude towards the animal, to somehow limit him in finding comfortable places to sleep . This is completely wrong even from the point of view of ambiguous and sometimes contradictory human logic, and it will be very difficult for an animal, which tends to think simply, linearly and “directly”, to explain why, after watching TV, sitting in a chair “in an embrace” with the omnipotent owner on You can’t sit in the same chair and take a nap while it’s completely empty.
It must be admitted that the desire to explain to the cat that he has no right to do what he wants puts the owner in a rather delicate position. Being a very smart and even insightful animal, sometimes understanding human psychology better than himself, the cat will certainly be offended that, after ascending to the same level as the people living in the apartment, he is suddenly shown the boundaries of what is permitted. In the event that the animal’s self-esteem has been subjected to similar tests before, for example, by a ban on walking in the yard when it so wanted to, the cat can express its protest by simply leaving the house, where its rights are limited, at the first opportunity. This is evidenced by numerous advertisements about missing cats, which, for no apparent reason, suddenly run away from their “breadwinners” during their next walk and disappear without a trace.
This means that we must not forget for a moment that a cat is not a dog after all and can just as easily go wild as it can become a full-fledged member of the family. That is why, wanting to show a mustachioed pet that it is “undesirable” to sleep, rest, watch children’s pranks, and watch the birds fluttering outside the window while lying on the sofa, you need to, every time you catch him in this position, carefully lift him and carefully place him on the floor. You should not use more drastic influences such as pushing the cat down, meaningfully showing him a broom, slipper or towel, screaming, and especially spanking. Even without strong emotions, the cat will definitely understand that his equality with the owners does not extend to the use of upholstered furniture, and he will quickly stop jumping on it, at least when one of the owners is at home.
How to keep your cat safe when moving to a new home
Immediately before bringing a cat into an apartment or house, you need to close the windows and vents, and also check for unsafe hiding places. If your cat is at risk of getting stuck between cabinets or otherwise getting injured while trying to hide, it's best to take a few minutes and reduce the risks by covering potentially dangerous areas.
Ideally, if it is possible to create a good shelter for your pet, a special cat house will do. Staying there is safe, and the owner will know exactly where the cat is.
When you bring a carrier with an animal into a new home, you should not open the door right away. It is better not to let the cat out of the carrier, but to give the cat the opportunity to get used to the room a little, being in a familiar environment. This will reduce the likelihood that your pet will run away and hide for a long time.
Why does the cat sleep under the bed? There are several reasons!
Cats by nature love to be in places that provide them with comfort and safety. Check why your cat sleeps under the bed!
Is this a cause for concern?
Cats like to change their resting place from time to time. When it comes to sleep, they can fall asleep almost anywhere, even if the space seems uncomfortable. However, for deeper sleep, they prefer to choose a place that is calm, safe and comfortable. Why does the cat sleep under the bed?
Hides under the bed for safety
- Cats love tight spaces, so they often choose cardboard boxes for sleeping, their sides provide them with a sense of security and therefore comfort. During sleep, purrs feel most vulnerable.
- Perhaps the pet cannot find a quiet place in the apartment where no one and nothing would disturb its sleep. This is why he hides where he finds the peace he desires and will be difficult for other family members to access, which is under the bed.
- Sometimes loud noises or the presence of an unknown house guest can cause a cat to go under the bed - first to hide, and then to relieve stress by taking a nap. A scared cat will quickly go to a place it considers safe, and the space under the bed meets this requirement.
A cat may give birth under the bed
Also, at the end of pregnancy, the kitty will look for a safe place where her babies will be born. It is likely that he will choose a place under the bed.
Due to unexpected changes
- Cats don't like change - the birth of a baby, getting a new cat or dog, moving or moving house can make them anxious. In this situation, the pet will be forced to look for a place to hide from everything that it finds annoying. The space under the bed gives him everything he needs now - at least until he gets used to the new situation.
- A cat may also sleep under the bed when it is depressed due to the loss of a beloved family member or another animal. Once he gets used to being there, he can stay there for a long time. If in this situation you notice that the animal does not even come out to drink or eat, seek help from a veterinarian.
The cat hides under the bed to hide its illness
A cat that is sick often feels pain and tends to hide from people or other animals. Fluffies value privacy and their need for privacy increases when they are not feeling well. Their desire to hide from the environment of their disease is due to the fact that they are powerless at this moment and are susceptible to attacks by predators. It's clear. But why does a domestic cat behave this way in an environment that it knows well? Here his instinct comes to the fore, or rather the instinct of survival.
Attention!
If your cat often falls asleep under the bed, or you notice other changes in her usual behavior, be sure to take your pet to the veterinarian for a consultation.
The cat seeks shelter from the heat under the bed
Some cats sleep under the bed when it is very hot outside. They look for shady places where it is much cooler. And although fluffies love to catch the sun's rays, they certainly cannot tolerate very high temperatures.
In the laundry basket
A cat's desire to hide on, in or under a bed stems from its love of laundry baskets, especially ones filled with clean, freshly dried clothes, because your closet is as comfortable as your bedspreads. If your cat hides in a basket and won't come out, can you blame her? After all, it's not much different from the love of her relatives to snuggle up in a warm blanket. You may want to break this habit because no matter how nice it may be to put on warm, freshly dried clothes, all the fun will be lost if they are covered in cat hair.
Secretive cat nature
Wild cats are predominantly nocturnal predators, able to navigate well in low light and come out to hunt at dusk. In the morning, the animals return to their daytime roosts, located in hidden places, such as:
- rock cleft;
- fork of branches in dense foliage;
- tree hollow;
- earth hole;
- hole under the roots.
Pets. The activity of domestic cats is also confined to the dark time of day. The mustachioed tabbys devote daylight hours to lazy pastime, getting up only to have a snack, visit the litter box, and lick themselves.
Kittens can hide:
- in the closet among bedding and things;
- on a bookshelf;
- in a cardboard box (read more about why cats love boxes);
- in a pan, vase, empty flower pot;
- in the washing machine;
- in a laundry basket;
- under a closet, sofa or bed;
- behind the central heating radiator;
- behind the chair;
- under the blanket.
In addition to a light half-sleep with closed eyes and the “inner guard” turned on, cats have real deep sleep, which is necessary to maintain health and restore strength. However, such complete relaxation is only possible in complete safety, silence and darkness. That is why mustachioed striped creatures choose hidden dark corners for themselves.
According to research by zoologists, the animal feels comfortable when the walls of the shelter touch the body. That’s why a cat’s favorite places to sleep are never too spacious.
Anti-stress nook
Personal space is of particular importance in a stressful situation, since a wise protective instinct commands cats to sit in a secluded place until the threat has passed. A disturbed cat will dive into its house, and if there is none, into one of its favorite inaccessible corners of the apartment.
Sources of fear. A loud noise or a previously unseen object can frighten an animal. So, a real shock for a timid pet will be a major repair or installation of large household appliances. Cats also quickly get tired of overly active guests and run away to the most distant dark room. Stress can be triggered by a move, an exhibition or a visit to the veterinary clinic.
Help for kids. The need to scoot and hide in a cozy den is characteristic of cats of all ages, but the psyche of small kittens is especially sensitive, instinctively striving for something warm and soft, so similar to the fluffy side of their mother. In order for the baby to quickly adapt to the new home, it is recommended to purchase a sleeping place in one of the configurations at the pet store:
- closed soft bed;
- frame house;
- “tunnel” or “hole” with a rounded mouth;
- an envelope or sleeping bag with a flattened entrance.
It would be great if the inner surface of the “den” is lined with plush or faux fur. The walls of a warm and soft shelter muffle extraneous noise and light, allowing the kitten to sleep peacefully. To prevent your baby from feeling lonely, you can put a plush toy or bedding in the house that smells like a native nest.
Cats that require special care. In addition to kittens that have just been weaned from their mother, the following are prone to “games of hide and seek”:
- timid and nervous individuals;
- young cats in the presence of an adult and confident fellow tribesman;
- cats picked up on the street and not used to living in a house;
- animals that have been mistreated and physically harmed at the hands of humans.
Owner actions.
The owner is not recommended to forcibly disturb the peace of an animal hidden in the saving darkness - this is how the body restores psychological balance.
Unsocialized wild animals can “thaw out” only with time and gentle handling. With a long “reclusion”, you can try to lure the cat out of the “den” with the help of a toy or treat.
Hiding, provoked by the clarification of the relationship between two individuals, will resolve itself when the animals get used to each other and establish the rules of the hierarchy. To avoid provoking a fight, it is recommended to install two different trays, two houses and two food bowls in different parts of the house.
Hunting games
Wild animals. Representatives of the cat family belong to ambush predators, not adapted to long pursuit of prey, and therefore hunt from shelters. Lions lie down in front of a herd of antelopes in the grass of the savannah, a spotted jaguar is hidden by the play of light among the branches, and a domesticated murka is spread out on the asphalt, sneaking up on a pigeon.
Domestic individuals. The mustachioed striped one, which does not leave the apartment, has fun through hunting games, suddenly jumping out of its secret hiding place. Especially young, uncastrated animals and representatives of hybrid breeds obtained by infusion of real “wild blood” like to go on safaris.
Any moving object can be the object of the hunt: from a ball made of candy foil to a shaggy vacuum cleaner and the ankles of the hostess. The simulation of an attack and capture of the “victim” turns out to be quite realistic, using the entire cat’s arsenal of 30 teeth and 20 claws.
What should the owner do? To wean your pet from making unexpected attacks, it is recommended to work with it more, socializing it and teaching it to play in a “civilized” manner. An abundance of various fun activities will help to throw out the hunting ardor, and a game complex and targeted training will teach the energetic cat intricate tricks.
Some cats have a genetic tendency to hide food supplies in secluded corners because their wild ancestors did not always manage to eat regularly.
How to remove a blanket correctly and when to do it
How long a cat can wear a bandage after sterilization depends on the method of surgery, the state of health, and the behavior of the animal.
In most cases, it can be removed after 1-1.5 weeks (depending on the decision of the veterinarian). If threads were used during the operation, sutures will need to be removed. After their removal, you can stop wearing the bandage any further. If the cat's sutures are removed, it means the healing process has been successful.
It is necessary to extend wearing the bandage for 2 or 3 days if:
- the animal is active, runs and jumps a lot;
- the cat licks the incision area;
- After examining the animal, the doctor decided to postpone removing the stitches for a while.
After 5-7 days, you can remove the bandage if self-absorbable suture material was used during the operation.
Extending the life of the blanket may be necessary as a result of:
- poor scarring;
- impaired coordination in the animal during the period after surgery;
- vigorous licking of the incision site.
Unsterilized male cats
Unsterilized pets try to attract members of the opposite sex. The change in behavior is explained by the influence of sex hormones on the animal. The pets begin to meow often and loudly, marking their territory. Because of this, owners are forced to constantly clean up puddles and wash the bed.
How to stop an unsterilized cat from shitting on the bed
If the cat will not participate in breeding, it should be sterilized. The same can be said about cats. The operation is safe and relatively easy, with most animals recovering within 2-4 days.
Sterilized animals will not attract the opposite sex, so you don't have to worry about puddles. If you don’t want to carry out the operation, then you often have to endure unwanted behavior during the mating season.
Blanket for a cat after sterilization
Many owners who are faced with the sterilization of their pet see the animal trying to remove the blanket or starting to deliberately walk “wrongly”.
As a result, the question arises: is a blanket necessary after sterilization of a cat? The answer is unequivocal - yes, and veterinarians insist on putting on a blanket immediately after the operation until the animal comes out of a state of deep anesthesia.
Putting a blanket on a cat after sterilization is just as important as after other types of abdominal surgery performed in the abdominal area (for example, during surgery on milk bags).
In some cases, a special bandage is not required for minimally invasive interventions, which is the laparoscopic method of removing the ovaries and uterus.
Wearing a blanket after sterilizing a cat is necessary in order to:
1. Create additional protection for sutures or wounds from the penetration of dirt and dust, allowing you to prevent inflammatory processes.
2. Restricting the animal’s access for licking (in addition to the fact that a cat who has recovered from anesthesia may begin to lick the suture, pulling out threads or injuring the wound surface, it may swallow medications used to treat the wound in the postoperative period).
3. A wide bandage allows you to limit the flexibility of the animal, thereby reducing the risk of seams coming apart;
4. From a fresh wound after surgery, bloody discharge (ichor) is released for several days, drying on the fur. During the hot summer period, this can attract blood-sucking parasites to the animal, which are sources of dangerous infectious diseases.
How many days a cat should wear a blanket after sterilization must be approved by a veterinarian, who bases his conclusions on a clinical examination of healing wounds. In most cases, the postoperative bandage is removed from the animal after the external sutures are removed. During this time, the wound has time to heal, and even if the animal licks the surface at the site of the cut, it will not be able to cause significant harm.
If your cat does this, sound the alarm!
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Cats often take very funny poses, photos of which owners like to share with each other, without even suspecting that they give cause for concern, and not for a smile.
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For example, on the Internet you can find many photographs of cats sitting with their faces to the wall and resting their foreheads on it. The owners accompany them with humorous captions like “I’m offended” or “I can’t see you,” etc., without even suspecting that such a pose indicates a serious disorder in the cat’s health!
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It turns out that in this position the animals are trying to somehow relieve the headache, which is most often caused by injury accompanied by a concussion. This is a very insidious condition, because sometimes the owner does not even know about what happened. He jumped unsuccessfully, did not fit into the turn of the corridor, was hit on the head by an object thrown by another pet - all this can happen in the absence of a person, and a cat naturally cannot complain of a headache.
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- rapid twitching and movements of the eyeballs,
- dilated pupils that do not contract in bright light,
- impaired coordination of movements,
- loss of orientation,
- convulsions,
- rapid pulse,
- heavy breathing, etc.
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The set of symptoms depends on the severity of the injury and the location where it occurred.
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It should be remembered that even a mild concussion causes quite extensive damage.
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Brain tissue suffers not only at the site of impact, but also on the opposite side, because the brain, not fixed, but floating in the brain fluid inside the skull, is sharply deflected by inertia and hits the other wall of the skull.
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Only an experienced veterinarian can alleviate the animal's condition . We say “experienced” because diagnosing a concussion is very difficult, and there are no specific methods for determining it. In human medicine, a detailed description by the patient of what happened to him and his condition helps; in veterinary medicine, one has to rely on the consciousness of the owner, who will carefully observe the cat and be able to describe all the symptoms.
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Having made a diagnosis, doctors usually prescribe vascular agents to prevent edema, as well as painkillers, antiemetics, sedatives, and, if necessary, medications to support the functioning of the lungs and heart.
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The owner’s task is to provide the cat with complete rest , which is a prerequisite for recovery from head injuries - without it, even the most competent drug treatment will not be effective. So for a while you will have to forget about receiving guests, loud music, watching football matches on TV and general cleaning. It is advisable to ensure that other pets do not bother your sick friend.
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In conclusion, we will say that in addition to a concussion, the cause of headaches and dizziness that causes a cat to rest its head against the wall can be acute toxic conditions, that is, poisoning, diseases of the nervous system, tumors of the brain or spinal cord, and some other conditions.
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So in any case, this is a very serious symptom that requires immediate attention to a veterinarian..
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What to do if your cat shits on the bed
First, it’s worth considering the most likely causes of negative behavior. If you eliminate them, the situation often improves on its own. For example, some animals play dirty tricks out of resentment, so it is important for the owner to make peace with them. Other cats have health problems and need treatment.
An experienced owner will immediately understand what is wrong with the pet. If the reason remains unknown, it is worth familiarizing yourself with common explanations for the situation. It is also recommended to take your pet to a veterinarian.
Early withdrawal
How many days after sterilization a cat will need to use a bandage depends on many conditions. You can reduce the duration of use of the blanket if:
- the pet becomes aggressive and tries in every possible way to get rid of the blanket;
- the cat behaves passively, lies most of the time, refuses food and water, is afraid to walk;
- the pet does not rise from its bed, signs of deterioration in health appear: the nose becomes hot, weakness and lethargy appear;
- abrasions are noticeable in places of contact with the bandage;
- the blanket appears dirty or torn.