a new move/new home

Question
We recently moved into a brand new home.  Our 2 yr. old cat who is front declawed runs through the house and jumps against the wall.  She is making scratches in our brand new walls.  We love her and want to help her with this behavior.  She never did this in our apartment.

Answer
Linda,

You didn't mention if the cat was spayed or how long you have been in the new home. I would suggest an examination by a vet to check for a medical issue that could be causing her behavior. She could possibly be in pain. It definitely is not a normal behavior or reaction for a cat.

More than likely the cat is stressed by the move. Everything is different with new smells, new sounds, new routine, etc. Nothing is familiar.

You should put her in a room with a litterbox, food, and water for a few days until she can acclimate to the move. Keep some of her familiar toys, blankets, etc. with her. Getting a kitty perch would also help her look out the window and see the new sights. Let her explore the house gradually, One room at the time, until slowly you familiarize her with the whole house. Turning her loose in a big house all at once is too overwhelming.

If her behavior continues to be bizarre then you can speak to your vet about putting her on 'kitty Prozac' for short term, usually about 2 weeks. It is very popular for calming stressed cats and cats with emotional issues.

Tabbi