Stress on my cat from moving...also her possible reason for being needing and sucking?

Question
Hi
My cat is almost 2 years old and shes a grey tabby mix. i got her when she was about 8 weeks old. she has a habit every once in awhile that she will be laying on my blankets and be needing the blankets with her paws and some what sucking. im wondering is it a habit from her being weaned from her mom to early or is it something that all cats do.
Also im planning on moving from my parents house to my own with my boyfriend who lives with me but im also possibly getting two other roommates and im worried that will cause stress on her. because ive noticed that when im gone long period of time she will be around me alot but when im around all the time she only comes around when she wants to be petted lol.. what should i do to introduce her to my possible roommates when we move intogether... because ive noticed you offer feilway but im not sure where i live in canada offers that.

Answer
Hi Allison,

The kneading and suckling is almost always due to being weaned too abruptly. When kittens are separated from mom at 8 weeks, this is typically the case. They have started weaning, but they are not completely finished. They are starting to taper off of nursing, but then they go to new homes and are still left with the desire to suckle. So they use substitutes such as pillows, blankets, or even ear lobes! Most kitties outgrow this behavior by one or two years of age, but some will engage in it far beyond those years when they are feeling nervous or are settling down for a nap, just as a child will suck his thumb.

As for the move, it will very likely be stressful on your kitty. Cats are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment. Fortunately, they are very resilient creatures, and she should adjust with a little time and extra attention. The best thing you can do for her is to bring as many of her old things as possible. Even go as far as to not disinfect her litter box or wash her bedding between the moves. These things will give her a constant to hold onto from one place to the next. Also, leave an unwashed t-shirt of yours out in the new place for her so she can have your scent to comfort her. Place it in her bedding if she has any. Be sure to keep her feeding schedule as regular as possible, and have definite play times and brushing times, if she enjoys that, each day.

As for introducing her to potential roommates, just have them be present, and hopefully, on the quiet side at first. Allow her to make the first move to introduce herself. The roommates can try offering her treats, or they can crouch down and get on her level and try to call her over, but if she isn't interested in making friends yet, encourage them to be patient. Most cats are put off if someone pursues them when they aren't ready cozy up to them, and this can damage their relationship before it starts. If everyone agrees, you can all take turns feeding her, and this can encourage her to start building trust for everyone.

I do recommend Feliway, and if you'd like to try it but can't find it in stores, you can find it through many websites. However, most cats without a history of behavioral problems won't necessarily need this.

Best of luck!

Jessica