Moving with Cats: Butter on Paws Myth Busted
One popular myth about cats which many people still believe in today is something they think will help their pet through the trauma of moving home. The myth is to rub a little butter on their pet's paws in the belief that it helps their feline friends deal with the fact they are about to find themselves in a new and strange environment. However, you need to ask if this is fact or fiction and whether the theories as to why and if this particular strategy works, are true or not!
Theory Number One
When a cat arrives at their new home and starts to lick the butter off their paws they are taking a good look around at their environment and this is supposed to help them get a bearing on this new territory they find themselves in!
Theory Number Two
Rubbing some butter on a cat's paws takes away the smell of their old home"" which in turn helps them accept their new one.
Theory Number Three
A cat is so busy licking the butter off their paws, they completely forget about being stressed at the fact they have just found themselves in a strange environment!
Theory Number Four
As a cats licks off the butter from their paws, they become used to the smell and odours of their new home!
True or False?
However, none of these theories really sound that convincing and in reality rubbing butter on your cat's paws might just stress them out even more. On top of annoying your feline friend you get left with some messy and greasy paw prints all over your new home! If the truth be known, the four theories need to be analysed and explained as follows:
- A cat will take a good look at their new home and environment whether they have butter on their paws or not - besides which if your cat is licking butter off their feet, they are hardly likely to be checking out what is actually around them
- Butter may well take away the odour of your cat's old home when it's rubbed on their paws. However, the smell of their old environment is still everywhere else on their bodies
- Your cat will be less stressed if you don't rub butter on their paws – the whole process of doing so could well make them extremely angry!
- It is far better to leave your cat alone and not rub butter on their paws so they can start investigating their new environment in their own time without slipping and sliding as well as leaving unwanted paw prints all over the place!
The Reality of Moving House With Moggy
The reality of moving house with your moggy is that most cats find it stressful simply because they like routine and are known to be creatures of habit. Cats are also very territorial so they will need to find their own feet in their new environment without having any butter rubbed on them! The only real way to help your cat over what is bound to be an anxious time for them, is to be patient and show them loads of affection and care until they are happy about the situation once again.
More Realistic Options Before the Move!
There are many more realistic options you can organise when you move home which includes doing the following:
- Have your pet micro-chipped and if they already are, make sure the details are changed so they are up to date. Should your cat go walkabouts, at least you know that when found, they will be back in your arms through their microchip details
- Make sure your cat wears a collar with an ID tag on it which has your telephone number clearly marked on it. Your best choice is use your mobile number which tends to stay the same even if your land-line changes!
What to Do When You Move
Some cat owners take their pets to a cattery whilst the removal men are carrying out their work because like this a beloved moggy does not have to see or experience all the upheaval that goes on as all your prized possessions are being loaded onto their truck. If a cattery is not an option, you should leave your cat in a room with the door firmly closed making sure they have water, food, their bed and a litter tray in with them. You should also put a sign on the door with the words ""Keep Closed"".
The last thing to leave your house when you move, has to be your cat. Then when you arrive at your new abode, you should put your beloved pet in a room with fresh water, a little food, a clean litter tray and a comfy cat bed so they don't get scared at all the goings on and again, you need to keep the door closed so they are safe. Another good idea is to invest in a pheromone plug-in device which can help calm down your cat if they feeling very stressed at the whole situation.
It is always a very good idea to unpack everything that's in boxes and packing cases as soon as you can. If the house is set up you can let your cat wander around the home getting used to everything but make sure they can't escape into the great outdoors. Having familiar smells of the furniture, carpets and rugs as well as plants will help them settle in. However, you should not let your pet out of the house for at least a couple of weeks after that they can go and explore the great outdoors but always leave a door open so they can run inside if they feel they have to or get scared by anything!
Conclusion
All cats are different and boast their own unique personalities, as such you may find your moggy settles in to their new home in no time at all. However, other cats are more nervous and get more stressed out when things around them change, In short, they may need a little longer to settle down in their new environment which means you have to show your pet a lot of patience and give them all the time they need to settle down. Once you are happy they are no longer stressed, anxious or scared of their new surroundings, then and only then should you let them out into the garden, but make sure you always leave a door or a window open so they can get back inside when they think they need to!
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