Home Life - Travel Tabby

Cats are creatures of habit and often prefer to avoid change. However, sometimes it's necessary. If you're sharing custody of a cat or living between two homes yourself, you may be wondering if your cat can comfortably live in two houses. Cats can live in two houses whether you're sharing a cat with someone else or moving between two homes yourself. Some cats will adapt better to living in two houses than others, and that mainly depends on their personality. If your cat is anxious, elderly, clingy, or mainly outdoors, it may be best to establish only one home instead. If you're thinking about sharing a cat between two homes, there are a few things you can do to make the transition as smooth as possible. In this article, I'll cover everything you need to know about having multiple homes for your cat. Sharing a Cat: Can My Cat Live in Two Houses? Whether you're sharing custody with a partner or ex-partner, visiting home on the weekends, or you just bought a summer home, there are several reasons you may be hoping to introduce your cat to a second home. As a general rule, cats don't enjoy change. But your cat can live in two houses if you keep their routine consistent. You'll also want to make sure that your cat doesn't mind the trip and that they have a good experience at both homes. While my cats and I have visited other houses together and moved several times, they've always lived in one home at a time. So I turned to the internet and spent an hour reading about other cat owners' experiences with sharing a cat between two homes. Here are a few of the most helpful posts I found: Source: Quora: Can my cat live in two different houses at the same time? Here's another post I found on the same thread with practical advice on how to help your cat adapt to both houses, including creating a space for your cat in both homes that looks and smells the same. This user also recommends bringing your cat's bed to both houses and making sure they have the same litter: Source: Quora: Can my cat live in two different houses at the same time? I read over 50 responses on online forum sites and found that the general consensus is this: whether your cat can live in two houses or not depends on your cat's personality. If they're naturally calm, agreeable, and curious, it's very possible that your cat will thrive in both homes. Many cat owners successfully share their cat between two homes. However, others warn of the stress that the constant change in surroundings can cause for your cat: Source: Quora: Can my cat live in two different houses at the same time? Aimee Gilbreath, executive director of Michelson Found Animal Foundation, reflected this sentiment in a 2018 interview with Bustle: "New homes and new schedules can cause distress in pets and can even result in illness, trauma, and behavioral issues." If your cat is highly anxious or hates to travel, it may be best to ensure they have one stable home even if it means you have to part ways for a while. Your cat's health is always a top priority. That being said, cats are very adaptable creatures and they can even get used to having two homes. In the next section, I'll take a closer look at what you can do to help keep your cat calm and comfortable at both houses. Introducing Your Cat to Multiple Homes If your cat is going to be living at two homes, there are several things that you can do to help prepare them for the transition. In a 2018 interview with Bustle, Aimee Gilbreath, executive director of Michelson Found Animal Foundation, gave the following advice: "It is important to work together to minimize the stress your pet feels and create a routine that works for your animal. This means both parents need to maintain the same boundaries and rules. Consistency in food is extremely important for their sensitive digestive systems. Pick one type and brand of food and agree to use that at both homes and feed the same amount at the same time." Whether you're sharing custody of your cat with someone else or you and your cat are moving back and forth between two houses, the same advice applies. Here's what you can do to maintain consistency for your cat in both homes: Keep a routine that works for you. Try not to spring random trips on your cat to their second home. Instead, establish a routine that allows your cat some time to get used to each house.Establish an eating routine. Give your cat the same food in the same amount at the same time in both places. This will help them establish consistency and also avoid potential gastrointestinal issues.Bring comfort items between homes. You may bring your cat's bed, blankets, toys, etc.Use the same litter box and type of litter. Some cat owners recommend bringing your cat's litter box between homes as their scent will let them know where to go. Clean out the litter box before trips, but don't change out the litter entirely during each transition. Keep them inside. It takes cats a while to get used to their outdoor surroundings at one home, let alone two. Reduce the chances of your cat getting lost or hurt by keeping them inside if they have two homes. If your outdoor cat has also decided to take up residence at your neighbor's, this suggestion doesn't apply. Another way to help keep your cat calm in each new space is by using a calming pheromone spray like Feliway. I recommend getting a plug-in diffuser (Amazon or Chewy) and keeping it in your cat's favorite place in each house when they're there. When it's time to actually introduce your cat to their second home, the actual process will vary based on your situation. Check out these tips on how to make a cat feel comfortable in a new home for more advice. Be sure to check in with your cat regularly and look for signs of anxiety. If they aren't adapting well to having two homes after the second or third trip, it may be time to consider an alternative living arrangement. Do Cats Remember Different Houses? If your cat is living in two homes, they'll absolutely remember both houses. This is especially true if they have a good experience at both places. They'll also remember traumatic experiences, and you'll see signs of anxiety in your cat if they don't want to be in a certain house. As a whole, cats have a great memory. Studies have shown that cats have the ability to remember experiences for the duration of their entire lives, including previous homes and other houses. That doesn't mean your cat will try to find their way back to an old house, but if you take them for a visit, there's a good chance they'll remember the space. If your cat is visiting other houses in your neighborhood, they'll likely remember who feeds them, who pets them, and where other animals are. Make sure they're eating most of their meals at their primary home so they don't get confused about where they live. Do Cats Like Visiting Other Houses? Whether or not your cat likes visiting other houses depends on their personality. If they're calm and curious, they may welcome the change. However, if they're naturally anxious or older, they may not want to leave their own home. As a general rule, cats are homebodies that prefer not to travel. However, if you frequently visit another house with your cat, they'll likely get used to the trip and may even look forward to it. I've taken my cats to visit my parents' house in the past and two of them always have a great experience— my youngest cat is terrified of their Yorkie. If you plan on taking your cat to visit another house, check out this guide. On the other hand, if your cat is visiting other houses in your neighborhood, they clearly like something about it. This is nothing to be worried about, just make sure your cat knows where their primary home is. Your cat's personality will be a huge indicator of whether or not they'll enjoy visiting other houses. If you decide to try visiting other houses with your cat, here's what you can do to prepare: Choose an appropriate carrier (check out my top picks here)Let your cat get used to their carrier and being in the carStart with short drives and short visits to other housesReward your cat often with treats to reinforce good behavior while traveling/visitingBring comfort items from home for your cat How Long Can a Cat Travel in a Car? If your cat is going to be living in two houses, they'll likely be traveling back and forth in the car. So how long can your cat travel in the car? On average, cats can stay in their carriers for 4-6 hours before needing a break. Cats are capable of staying in their carriers for longer, but they'll need to take breaks periodically. If you're driving less than an hour or two away, your cat will likely be fine in their carrier the whole time. But if it's your cat's first time in the carrier or their first trip in the car, let them work up to this. Start with a few minutes at a time and work your way up to short drives. For a longer journey, make sure to plan for pit stops so that your cat can stretch their legs, use the litter box, and have some water. Check out our full guide on how long you can travel with a cat before needing a break for more information. Is It Bad To Move Cats Around a Lot? Most cats prefer consistency and familiar routines. That means they'd rather not move around a lot if it can be avoided. However, sometimes moving is unavoidable. Plus, not all cats hate to travel. If you're sharing your cat between two homes, moving around a lot is inevitable for your cat. But with the right preparations, you can make each transition as stress-free as possible for your cat: Give your cat time to get used to their carrierStart with short trips in the car before the movePrepare the new house immediately by setting up your cat's bed, litter box, and food and water bowlsBring comfort items from home that your cat is familiar withMaintain a routine before, during, and after the move, especially your cat's eating scheduleKeep your cat inside after the move If you have to move around a lot with your cat, that's okay. In the past four years, we've lived in four different apartments. All of our cats have settled into each home perfectly, but they did need some time to adjust after each move. If you can avoid moving around a lot with your cat, they'd probably thank you for it. But as long as you prepare properly and check in with your cat regularly, each move will go as smoothly as possible. For more advice on how to make each trip as smooth as possible, check out our full guide on how to travel with a cat in the car. Final Thoughts: Should Your Cat Live in Two Houses? Introducing a second home to your cat can be stressful. Depending on your personal situation and your cat's personality, it may or may not be the best idea. To decide whether or not your cat should live in two homes, ask yourself these five questions: Is your cat naturally calm, curious, or open to traveling?Will your cat be safe at both houses?Does your cat have a good relationship with the people and animals at each house?Can your cat maintain a consistent routine at both houses? Same food, same schedule, etc.Is living in two houses the best/only option for your cat based on your current situation? If you answered "no" to any of these questions, try to figure out an alternative living situation so that your cat will have only one primary home instead. If you do decide to introduce your cat to a second home, give them time and space to adapt to the change. The most important thing is going to be maintaining a consistent routine at both houses. Related Travel Tabby Content You May Enjoy: Can You Take Your Cat to Your Parents’ House?Moving With Cats: What To Do on Moving DayMoving Across the Country With Cats: Everything I Wish I Knew