Pet Problems Solved!
Dear Apartments.com,
I recently moved into a new apartment with my three cats. It is a little smaller than our last home but still has three decent-sized rooms. My cats don’t seem to be adjusting well, though, as they’re much more aggressive when I get home in the evening and seem to be mad at me. They are biting each other’s tails and fighting over food, things they rarely did before. I bought them some new toys and have been trying to give them lots of attention. I’m really worried that they don’t like it here and that I’ll have to give them to a friend. Do you have any suggestions for what could be wrong with them and how to make them feel more at home?
With thanks,
Confused in Clearwater Beach, FL
Dear Confused,
I’m sorry, but I have to ask you this question. If you had three children and they started fighting would you think the best solution to the situation would be to give them away to some friends? I didn’t think so. You see, animals are very much like a part of the family, and they have emotions and react to stimulus very similar to the way us humans do. Just as a child might react badly to a different environment, pets may respond in a similar fashion. Animals, also like people, sometimes get set in their ways. Breaking a pattern can mess up any one’s mood. Cats, believe it or not, are an animal that can react to a move more emotionally than many other pets. Buying them new toys and treating them differently will only worsen the situation as what they’re really struggling with is change. Try not to deviate from your regular routine with them, do things around them that make them realize that even though they’re in a new environment, life is pretty much going on in the same way that it always has. Take a look at where their food bowls are. Are they in the same general location as they were in your old place? How about their litter box? Toys? Try to arrange your new place very similarly to the way it was in your old place. If you want to change at a later time, do it slowly. Although giving your cats more attention is always a good thing, it is more important to do things to assure them that things are still the same as they’ve always been.
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