Sunday 20 March 2016

Sunday Selfie: Moving with Cat

As we are going to be moving house soon and I am filled with trepidation (and so is my stressy mum) here is a photo of me not looking too good.


moving home with cat

I always look good of course, because I am a cat, and a goddess one at that, but what I mean is this pic above shows me to be looking a bit worried. Yes, I am a brave kitty and a wise one as well as beautiful, but when it comes to strangers coming into my private space I am not happy about my territory being invaded. I know when we are expecting viewers for the house because Mum and Granny start tidying up more than usual and open the curtains wide to let in more light (Mum is sensitive to light so likes to keep a lot of sunlight out). They start getting all fidgety and this stresses me out even more. I know my mum tries her best to act normal but she fails big time because I'm a cat and highly sensitive to energies, especially to my mum's energy.

So she bought this very expensive thingie called Feliway Diffuser Pack 48ml and also Feliway Pheromone Spray, 20 ml in the hope that it'll help me. It is meant to calm me and she reckons it's starting to work a bit. She also gives me Reiki healing (but only after she's done some self-healing to relax her).

We will continue to keep you updated on this adventure (that's what Mum is calling it.) In the meantime, you can watch our new video that Mum filmed after the first viewer came to see the house. Mum says she hates filming herself talking, and that's why she appears really nervous in it. It's also the first time she has published a video of herself talking to camera. 





If you are looking for advice on moving house with your cat here are some links that might help.

http://www.feliway.com/uk/What-causes-cat-stress-or-anxiety/Moving-home-with-a-cat 

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/stress-in-cats/

http://icatcare.org/advice/keeping-your-cat-happy/moving-house-your-cat

https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/moving-house-and-travelling-cats

Disclaimer: Some Amazon affiliate links are included in this post. Full disclosure.




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26 comments:

My GBGV Life said...

Mom has always moved a lot and with cats and dogs. We all love moving, the cats almost more than the dogs. They love the boxes on both ends of the move the most. You will be fine.

The Florida Furkids said...

Mom moved to Florida from New Jersey with 4 cats and a woofie and it went just fine. Feliway really does help too.

We loved your video! The nose close ups and the smacky paw at the camera were pawsome!!!

The Florida Furkids

The Daily Pip said...

We moved a few years ago and know it is so stressful when people come to look at your house. Wishing you the best of luck. I'm sure everything will go very smoothly.

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

We hope that the move goes smoothly and you aren't too stressed. Dragonheart and Merlin have moved many times (including across the ocean once and across almost the entire country twice), so they are old hats at it. But we know not all kitties take moving so easily.

Peaches and Paprika said...

Nose Alert! We got to see a close up of Athena's beautiful nose! But seriously, she does look nervous & we commiserate with you both! We have to go through this soon. Looks like your camera strap saved the day because she seemed to forget her worries when she got to play with it!

Quinn and Angel brandi said...

Wish we could give Athena some (((hugs))) and loves. We hope the move is not too stressful, but lots of kitties worry, and sometimes it takes a while to adjust to a move. Feliway seems to help, and of course you are helping with Reiki, mom.
Athena, you have such a cute nose!
We are sending calming vibes across the ocean. Hope they reach you both.

meowmeowmans said...

That's a great video, Athena and Mum. We are purring and praying that your move goes smoothly. Big hugs and headbonks to you both.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

OH Athena the big "M" word. We haven't had to do that ... yet. And we hope never to, but you never know....right?
Happy Selfie Sunday!!
Annabelle, Boo, Ping, & Mr Jinx

Lone Star Cats said...

Good luck wif da move! At least dere will be boxes to play in.

pilch92 said...

Don't worry Athena , as long as you and your Mum are together, you will be happy. Very nice video.

Purrseiodn said...

Athena, in my experience, things usually turn out for the best, but sometimes there are a few 'bumps' getting to that point.

The Swiss Cats said...

Nice video. We cross our paws so that your moving goes well ! Purrs

Summer said...

Don't worry, Athena - I'm sure everything will go fine! And I bet you will love your new place when you get there1

Anonymous said...

Yur Mumma has thee rite idea...look at thee move like an adventure an it will not bee as stressfull. When mee moved frum Aunty Nikki'ss to Aunty Elka'ss when mee was a kitt mee thott of it as an adventure an then back to thee farm an then to Ladymum'ss....
As long as you an Mumma are together fingss will bee OK an mee iss all wayss here to meow with you deerest Athena....
**nose kissesss** Siddhartha Henry xxxxx

The Whiskeratti said...

Oh, moving....!!!! We hate it too. But sometimes these things are necessary.

Angel Prancer Pie said...

Moving can be so stressful, but we think your Mom has things under control.
Our Mom is a firm believer in Feliway, too.
Good luck, we'll keep our paws crossed for a smooth transition.
XOXO

Lola The Rescued Cat said...

Good luck with your move, Athena. Your in good paws with your mum.

Kitties Blue said...

We enjoyed having Mum Marie in the video talking to you. She should do that more often. Let's up that your house sells really fast so not too many strangers come through. We are very lucky 'cause our humans moved into our house 32 years ago before they started loving kitties. But we don't like strangers either. Thanks for hopping. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

The Island Cats said...

We hope all goes well with the move, Athena. It sounds like your mum is trying to make it as easy as possible for you...and her.

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

I think your Mum has a beautiful voice!!! I am not a believer in Feliway (I know many are, but I think it is all a hoax). They have it in the exam rooms at the Vet (in the cat part)...while Cody doesn't get that upset at the Vet at all, I have yet to notice a change in him with the Feliway in the room. Often we are in there waiting long enough that I would notice something. It's probably just me, but i think it is a waste of money. They say to bring the kitty to the new house BEFORE you move in.....(if that is possible) and let her walk around when there is no furniture there so she can get familiar with it and put her scent on things. My Bobo used to hide for a day or two when we moved (and he moved at least 4 times in 18 years).....and he did fine!!! The main thing is for YOU to exude positive vibes, that's more important than the Feliway. Athena will pick up on YOUR vibes!! I am sure all will go well! xoxoxo Oh and I think Kitty Cat Chronicles did some posts on moving and a few other bloggers did! catchatwithcarenandcody

lorraines resources and rewards said...

love the selfie and thanks for the tips we hope to move this year to washington still waiting on disability its going to be an out of state move frankie used to love riding in the car but we don't have a car anymore and the only time he goes his to the vet in some elses car will be reading your links have great day and sending zen hugs and purrs for a happy and easy move

Dash Kitten Crew said...

Feliway works a treat for us, I know you will find it helpful. It can take a while but the effects are wholly positive and will help you and Mum settle much more quickly.

Have a good and safe move.

Savannah's Paw Tracks said...

I'll chime in on Feliway and in support of it. We have feliway in primary cat use rooms all over the house. It takes days even weeks before cats will easily respond to the feliway. So you might place 2-3 around the new home a few days or even a week before moving if possible. Otherwise get them plugged in as soon as you arrive. We have moved Savannah twice in her 4 years with us and will likely have to do so again this year. Our strategy is this: we move most ourselves that goes in boxes etc. we hire local mover to move all the furniture. On moving day, we put Savvy and now Sage, in our bedroom while they move all the furniture out of the house. I then load them into their carriers, and we have our master bedroom loaded last. They drive the few minutes to our new place and we have them unload all our bedroom furniture first. We immediately set up the bedroom as close to what it was before, make the bed, get cat towers in it etc. Then we let the girls out in the bedroom while they move everything else into the house. With music of course for the girls. hope that helps.purrs

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

Athena, you and your mum will do fine. I like your mum calling it an adventure. The hardest part will be the inbetween time, and you have each other to help you. Your mum has such a lovely voice! And I can see the strong bond between you.

I've heard good things about Feliway. When we went took Abbey to the Virginia Tech veterinary hospital, the vet and students wiped their hands with pads of the calming substance before they handled her.

Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty said...

Thanks for the tips :) Feliway is very expensive and it's not something I would want to use full term. Positive vibes is what it's all about. Athena is great at keeping me calm so I have to be the same for her.

Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty said...

Thank you for the comments and tips, everyone! Much appreciated :)