Possible for 3+ month old kitten to live in 2 different apartments?

Question

My girlfriend is moving closer to me into a smiliar apartment as mine 10 minutes away driving time.I have a 2 bedroom and she has a 1 bedroom place. My cat is awesome, 100% litter trained and only had 1 mess up his first night with me when he was 7 weeks old when I saved him. I feel bad when visiting my girlfriend, going out or going away on weekends, and even working 8 hour days. I still play with him alot everyday but I am wondering if I go to my girlfriends place alot now since she is closer if my kitten (male) could get used to being in 2 places and would adapt with a little training if I brought him with me sometimes if I get similar food dishes/litter box, etc. I dont want to confuse the little guy or mess him up. Thanks! Im 27 years old by the way.

Answer 1

here's a really good question that I will take sometime to answer because not a lot of guy will ask that kind of question!

1) Don't feel bad about leaving your cat alone. This is the most common misconception about cats. They do not perceive time as we do. For them 1 hour or 6 hours is the same. Remember that cats are solitary creature that sometimes needs socialisation. By playing with him everyday and keeping a stricked routine you're doing just what he needs to feel secure within a good routine. If you keep at this routine your cat will be perfectly happy even if you're not there all the time. Avoid leaving for 14 days straight though.

2) The worst thing for a cat is to see his environement changing. It is the most stressfull event they can experience. Cats are very territorial and they establish bounderies to their territory. They also establish a routine patroling that area along your own routine (when you sleep, look at tv, etc). So moving a cat from one territory to another will break that routine and might cause a lot of stress. A cat should always be left in his environment.

3) That being said your kitty is very young and is not territorial yet. So you could get him used to switch from one environement to another rather easily. What you should do is to use the same kind of litter in both place and adopting a routine that include the two territory. So if you decide to bring him along, you should do it every week on the same day, at the same time (at least at the beginning). When you will do this the first time here's what you should do.

a) In the days prior to his coming to your girlfriend's appart, take a piece of clothing and place it where he normally sleeps so taht he sleeps on it for a couple of days. Then rub him with that clothe on the cheek and on the flank. Go to your girlfriend's appart and rub it against every corners, table, chair, sofa you can find at the level where your cat would rub himself. That is to put his odor everwhere so that he has the feeling he was there before and that is also his territory.

b) when you take him to bring him to the appart, associate that time with something fun. Use his favorite treat and play with a special toys that you use only at that time.

c) The first time he gets in the appart, put him in the litter (it's a good idea to have two litter put in two different places. See which one he will use and remove the other). Let him explore without looking at him and resume your normal routine with your girlfriends. Don't put too much attention and let him explore at his pace.

c) You should associate the new territory with something fun. Again use treats or the special toys

Remember that if you're bringing him along it's more for you than for him. I would never recommend that for a kitten more than 6 months old. Since yours is young, it's the best time to do this.

Good luck

Answer 2

Every cat is different but most cats are very bonded to one spot where they live and don't like to be uprooted or have their routine changed.  I've seen exceptions (like someone I know whose cat travels by RV with them) but most cats don't like it.

Answer 3

Most cats are very finicky. They're more content staying in one place. As a kitten they're prone to explore. Be sure to leave plenty of toys out to occupy the little rascal. Also leave plenty of water & food, I use the automatic feeders. Keep littler box clean so he won't wander off to do his business elsewhere.

Answer 4

Not recommended. It would be stressful on the kitten, not to mention confusing!

Keep your kitten at your place, or keep it at hers. Do not make the poor kitten bounce from one home to the other. They need stability!

Answer 5

Your kitty is young enough to be trained to travel with you.  It's a good idea, for you and the cat.  Only time will tell with your girlfriend and her stuff.  Cats can travel and be comfortable, ie: ship's cats, and show cats.  What better way to enjoy time than with both your cat and your girlfriend?

(Please make sure your cat travels in a carrier that is strapped in to the seat belt.)

Answer 6

Honestly, you kitty would be happier staying alone in one place, then being carted back and forth.  Cats like to have solitary time and they do not like to move from place to place.  I would leave him in one place and just give him affection when you are around.