Will my bonded cat be stressed moving to a new home with another male?

Hello, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Cats tend to be quite adaptable and able to adjust to a new environment well, so I think Blueberry and her kitten will probably do just fine! Of course, every cat is different - some cats love the extra stimulation and socialization that comes with having other cats in the household, while other cats prefer to live on their own and are stressed by having other animals around. You know Blueberry best and might be the best judge as far as how she'll do. If you're worried about how she'll respond, you could always consider this a "trial run", and let your friend know that if your cats don't seem to be adjusting well, you could take them back to find better arrangements. You should anticipate that the first week or two will be an adjustment period and your cats might do a bit more hiding than usual, and initial encounters with the other household cats will probably include some hissing as they figure each other out - but within a few weeks Blueberry and her kitten should be looking more relaxed and comfortable in their new surroundings. Good luck - hope this helps!

It's kind of you to think about getting Josie a kitty friend for company, since you'll be starting work soon - I'm sure she would appreciate it, if you can find her a good match :) You're right that it can sometimes be difficult to successfully introduce adult cats to each other, so a kitten may be easier. And generally speaking, male/female pairs tend to do better - so I think a male kitten is a great option. To help make the introduction go as smoothly as possible, I would recommend setting up a separate room for the kitten when you first bring him home - he should have his own food and water bowls, litter box, toys, and a scratching post or cat tree. Keep him in this room with the door closed for the first week or two, so that Josie can get used to smelling him and hearing him through the door. You can also help her to associate good things with the kitten by feeding her treats outside his door a few times a day. Once she is no longer reacting at all when she hears him or smells him under the door, you can start to leave the door open for short periods so that he can venture out into the house. This way, Josie will already be used to his presence before they actually meet face to face. Feliway pheromone diffusers placed around the house can also help to reduce Josie's stress and encourage more social behavior during the adjustment period.

Hello. This is a tricky question to answer because you never know how things will go until you try. Some cats absolutely hate other cats, others love company, & others are OK with a newcomer as long as the food dish stays full. I would try introducing them shortly after you move. Give Kofta a few days to a week to get used to the new house first. Then, after she seems comfortable, introduce the new boy under supervision. Often, a kitten is readily accepted after a few swats & hisses. Make sure there are double the resources for the cats at first. 2 litter boxes in separate areas, 2 food & water dishes, & plenty of places to escape & hide ( save those cardboard boxes ). I am always rescuing cats & kittens, & eventually, everyone settles down. Good luck & take care.

Hi there, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I would decide based on how bonded Cinder is with the other cats, and what would cause the least amount of stress for her. If she is not particularly bonded with the other two cats, then it could be best to move her first and let her scope out the new house while it's still quiet. However, if she is bonded with one or both of the other cats then it's best to move them at the same time so she doesn't suffer additional stress from being separated. I also recommend using Feliway Classic diffusers in the new house for the first several months (you may need several diffusers to permeate the whole house, depending on the layout) to help decrease the cat's stress. Finally, I would add that if you still have a lot of general moving to do (if your boyfriend is moving in first and so there will be several weeks to months of boxes and "stuff" getting moved around) then I'd wait to move the cats. Changing the layout of the house causes additional stress, so it's best to have the new house as put together as possible before adding the cats. Hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Cats are finicky creatures. Cats tend to only like the cats they know. Even though your cat seems to like the ones she lives with doesn't mean she will like a new cat. Cats are territorial and like their own personal space. I would first allow your cat to get used to your new house with your boyfriend. See how is goes over several months. She will be stressed for a while just because of the move. Then see how she is once she is settled. If you want to get another cat for company consider it in a few months. Good luck!

That's a tough situation for you both to be in! In my opinion, I think it would be best splitting the cats. While it may be tough at first for them to be apart, the stress of moving them back and forth between homes would be even more stressful. They would adjust easier to having separate homes than be moved around all the time, and if either become lonely, you can get another cat to keep your cat company. Another option is one of you take both of them for good, but that may not be feasible. I hope this helps!

You may be surprised at how well he will take the move. If he becomes car sick, you may want to discuss anti-nausea medications with your vet that will ease this stress. Supplements like Zylkene or Comfort Zone Feliway Diffuser Kit for Cat Calming can be used during travel and when he gets to his new house to help with the transition. I would recommend keeping his food, litter, and litterbox the same. Give him plenty of attention. If he has any specific behavioral concerns once you move, post a new question and we would be happy to help again!