Rehoming Cats

Anti-histamine/allergy medicines

Depending on how severe the allergy is, there are a wide range of anti-histamine/allergy medicines. You could visit your pharmacist or doctor to see which would be suitable for you or your family member.

Grooming

Even short haired cats need grooming, so giving your cat a good brush once a week can get rid of most of the loose fur that may trigger an allergic reaction. Long haired cats need grooming daily.

Keep rooms off limits

Another idea is to keep the allergy sufferer’s room off limits to the cat/s.

Try different litter

Sometimes the type of cat litter or the type of litter tray can put a cat off using it. Try different kinds of litter, there are clay based, paper based, wood based, and many more. Try more than one and see which litter the cat favours. Sometimes perfumed or “odour-control” litters can put the cat’s off using it.

Try different style litter trays

Some cats prefer an open litter tray while others prefer an enclosed litter box. Make sure the tray or box is the right size for your cat, if you have a big cat, they will need a big tray…..otherwise it would be like us trying to go on a child’s potty!!

If you have an older cat, or one that has been diagnosed by a vet and suffers with joint problems etc, they may find it difficult or even painful to climb into the litter tray, so try one with a lowered lip, or modify one yourself, just make sure it’s safe for kitty to use!

Litter tray placement and cleaning

Make sure the tray is situated in a quiet place, easy to access and cleaned regularly. Cats are very clean animals and don’t like to use a dirty litter tray.

Are they stressed?

Sometimes cats will go outside the litter tray when stressed, so trying a Feliway plug in diffuser or spray can help. Try to remove or reduce any possible stress factors.

Are they ill?

If these suggestions don’t seem to be working, it is a good idea to take your cat to the vets and have him/her checked out. There could be an underlying health issue causing your kitty not to use the litter tray.

I’m pregnant

Many pregnant women worry about keeping a cat when they are expecting. Most worry about cleaning out the litter trays, and the first solution would be to give litter tray cleaning duty to another member of the household.

If this isn’t a possibility or you live alone, make sure your cat is vaccinated, and regularly flea and wormed, and when cleaning the litter tray make sure you wear gloves and follow strict hygiene practices.

• Wash hands and forearms with an antibacterial hand wash and using hand sanitizer when possible.
• Make sure the contents of the litter tray are taken straight out to the dustbin.

There are also many benefits to baby of having pets in the home, see below.

I have a new baby

As long as strict hygiene practices are in place, as well as a few other points, there is no reason to rehome a cat due to the arrival of a new baby.

• Make sure the baby isn’t left on their own with your cat/pet.
• Ensure the cat’s vaccinations are up to date as well as flea and worms treatments.
• Litter trays and cat food should be kept out of the child’s way when they start to crawl.

To reduce stress that could affect your cat, consider using a Feliway plug in diffuser or spray which can help to keep them calm in new situations.

Is your cat neutered?

If not, this could be the main reason for the spraying. Male cats who are entire (not castrated) will mark their territory by scenting and sometimes spraying. The best way to prevent this behaviour is to have your cat neutered. This means the testosterone levels will reduce dramatically and he will not have the urge to spray. It can even help with territorial aggression that may be seen with entire males.

Is your cat stressed?

Stress and anxiety can cause a cat to spray. Try to remove or reduce any possible stress factors. You could also consider using a plug in such as Feliway.

Speak to your new landlord

If you are moving home into a rented property, it is a good idea to contact the landlord/housing association and ask for permission to bring your cat/s.

Some do state in the tenancy agreement that no pets are allowed, but if requested some landlords/housing associations will make an exception.

They may write up another agreement that states that you will pay for any damages that may occur due to the pets, or may ask for a deposit, non-refundable if any damage occurs. It is always worth asking, and means you may be able to keep your beloved cat part of your family.

Can family or friends help?

Failing this, do you have any family members that would be able to take the cat in until you are able to rehome?

Introducing a new cat to the household and especially your current cat should be done slowly. While some cats are very easy going and will get along with any other cats, the majority of cats find meeting another feline for the first time distressing and overwhelming.

Neutering

First of all, please make sure your cats are neutered. This will prevent any added stress and hormones from hindering a good introduction.

Controlled introductions

We would suggest settling your new cat into one room of the house and apart from other cats in the household. When your new cat seems settled in his/her new environment, start swapping his/her toys, and a bed/blanket with some from the other cats. This will allow them to smell each other’s scent and familiarise themselves with it.

When you feel the new cat is ready to explore the rest of the house, swap the cats around so that the new cat can start to feel more confident in the rest of the house. Meanwhile, the other cat/s can be smelling items in the new cat’s room and familiarise themselves with that scent.

Feeding time

Next, you can try feeding the cats at the same time, at opposite sides of a door, so that they can smell and hear each other, but cannot see or get to each other.

When the cats all seem comfortable eating together at opposite sides of the door, you can think about cracking the door slightly, or using a baby gate. (if using a baby gate, position the food dishes so that they aren’t directly next to the gate, the cats will need some space)

If the cats don’t seem happy about this, go back to door closed with a small crack in it. These steps all take time, but patience is the key. And don’t forget to praise your cats for their good behaviour, but never scold for unwanted behaviour, this negative energy does not help any situation.

Face to face introductions

If feeding does go well, and you think the cats may be ready for introducing properly, make sure you play with all the cats first so they drain any excess energy before meeting.

Also, make sure there is plenty of space for the cats and they have escape routes if they want to get away from each other (i.e. cat trees, open doors, cat shelves).

Monitoring carefully

At this point, don’t push things and if the atmosphere gets tense, separate the cats and repeat the next day. A good scenario would be for the cats to acknowledge then ignore each other, or smell each other and walk away.

Using a Feliway spray or diffuser can also help to lower stress levels, so it is worth trying this alongside the introduction.

Be patient!

The process of introducing a new cat takes time and patience and some cats will take longer than others, but even though they are solitary hunters by nature, they are social creatures and when introduced in the correct way, can live quite contently with each other.