I've got two cats - Boo and Radley, both indoor cats and both neutered/spayed.

We moved house on Saturday and while little cat (Boo) has pretty much taken the move in her stride, big cat (Radley) has kept us up for 2 nights wailing and pacing around every room.

Last night we sprayed some feliway around (just the spray as didn't want to pay £40 quid for the plug in without trying it first!) and let both of them into the bedroom with us (Saturday night they were alone downstairs with no access to upstairs) and his behaviour improved very slightly.

He's still wailing a little during the day and I'm hoping someone can suggest some alternative ways to try and destress him so we can get some sleep!

We used to only have a 1 bedroom flat but have moved to a 3 bedroom house so itsquite a change for him - much more space to explore and hide in and more noise from outside (our flat was upstairs and a bit out of the way).

We have got a timer and where thinking of setting a lamp and possibly the TV to come on part way through the night to reassure him that he's not alone. Would this help?

Many thanks in advance .

I really would invest in the plug in, it's so much more effective than the spray. If you are really worried you can look into clam aid (a herbal destressor) which we use in cases where the cat (or dog) isn't coping - but I'd try Feliway first.

Make sure he has an area that's 'his' with a non people perimeter of around. 6 foot, usually a nice dark basket in a quiet room will do, when he's there don't bother him at all, then it's his safe zone and he can come to you and explore the house when he wants, if he gets spooked he can retreat. Whilst its not you stressing him, cat just like to be alone when upset so don't take it personally!

Don't feed him in his zone, keep that in his usual place, and same with his tray- keep that out of the safe zone too, it should be a safe, place just for relaxing, not for other things. I'd is a good place to plug e Feliway into too.

Is he washing / grooming a lot? It's a common displacement behaviour - almost 'I can't cope with that so I'm going to do something normal to ignore it for a second ' but it's good because it means he's coping. Watch out for any spraying or scritting that's out of the usual patterns, that's when his stress is becoming more uncontrolled.

I found spray isn't as good as plug in check out ebay as managed in past to have plug in for £7 that includes a refill too !

I moved home and even though my cats go outside one basically stays in house I found she was like your cat . I did little things like carry her room to room giving her a little cuddle then each room played a small game like with string and gave her a treat , I left her to do her own thing for a day or two and not as often but she still seemed nervous and unhappy so I tried things like carrying her to one room and calling her to the next giving a treat then leaving her and swapping rooms .
I then carried the other cat room to room with her watching even though my other cat settled in very well I thought if she sees he ok she know it safe . I did this for about a week and then left her to explore and now she is queen of each room lol

Like I said I thought it something different but due to her age I wanted to show each room is safe and can be fun . good luck

Thanks for the replies guys.

He seems to be finding his feet slowly, last night was by far the most settled - he stayed in our bedroom for most of the night and having a lamp on timer seemed to keep him happy when he was downstairs.

He's been a bit funny with his food since we've moved but as we speak he's sat in front of me giving me the stare (which translates as 'its dinner time').

If he doesn't improve I think I'll get the diffuser, the spray has helped but the travel size one doesn't last long!

As a make do, try lavender (fresh is great but spray is good too) it's a natural calmer and may help, it does with dogs!

You need to give him something that had his scent on from the old house.

Something he used to rub-up to, (with his cheeks) sleep on etc.

That will provide comfort in the short-term.

Longer term he will soon rub-around the new house and pussyfy it!

Lots of good advice! It might take a bit of time, but be patient and I'm sure everything will be fine. I like to keep some Rescue Remedy on hand for stressful times - you can put it in the cat's food or water if they won't take it from the dropper. It's good for short-term stress relief.

I might try this, it seems to get good reviews - I see there is a specific pet version, is this the one you use or do you use the version for us adults? (Their website says its safe for pets).

I'll be able to pick the human version up today locally but can only get the pet one on-line.

I've never seen the pet one, so I use the human one. Just avoid the one that contains alcohol (I've forgotten what they call that one - emergency relief or something?)

Thanks for this suggestion, I bought some Rescue Remedy drops yesterday and put some on his dinner and in his water last night and he slept peacefully on the bottom of the bed all night!

I was sceptical about it but I'm now converted!