Divorce is never easy, and it’s even more complicated when pets are involved. Cats love their activities, and they are attached to their caretakers. Unfortunately, significant changes are on the horizon when it comes to divorce. While you can’t eliminate these changes, you can minimize their impact, with planning and collaboration. Hopefully, you can find some common ground with your ex to help your cats adjust to the new situation.
Chances are, you both love your pets. They are innocent in this situation, nor do they understand what is going on, even though they may have sensed the discord in your home. Your kittens are probably already stressed. Let’s find ways to drop it down a notch.
Before You Begin
Discussing the situation on a neutral basis can help you and your ex-partner come up with a plan. This initial conversation requires honesty. You must decide where your cats fare best. It may be obvious that they are more attached to one of you than the other. Consider who will be moving from your home and where your cats are most content.
The best scenario is to minimize the changes they will experience. This covers everything from their daily activities to their diet to household activity levels. Determine which of you can provide these conditions, and make decisions based on what is best for everyone involved.
10 Tips on How to Help Cats Adjust to Divorce
1. Plan the Move
If cats are moving, plan the move carefully. We recommend keeping the household layout as close to normal as possible. Let your cats explore moving boxes during downtimes, which will allow them to reassure themselves that everything is okay. While moving can be disruptive, try to keep things low key. Loud noises or sudden movements will stress your pets, but planning ahead can reduce them.
2. Board Your Cats or Sequester Them in a Room
Boarding or keeping your cats in a closed room can make it easier and safer for them during a move. This will allow you to focus on the task at hand and the emotions it is likely to evoke. This is a difficult time for you too, so getting out of the task of caring for your cats can help relieve some of the stress. This can streamline the process if you don’t have to worry about your cats’ reactions to the disturbance, or them accidentally slipping out of the house while a door is left open, for example.
3. Reduce Distractions
We suggest keeping interruptions to a minimum. Pack room by room to avoid changing the whole house at once. If you plan to hire movers, refer to number 2 on this list. Even the best-adapted cats can find having people moving in and out of the house very stressful.
4. Leave Some Articles of Clothing With Human Scent
If you and the cats are staying, and your ex is leaving, ask them if they can leave some clothes behind. Familiar scents can calm your kitties down when things get messy. Cats are good at smelling, and changes may seem less threatening to them if they can coat themselves in a scent they know and are comfortable with.
5. Expect Your Pets to Be Stressed
Change is not easy. Don’t be surprised if your pets are upset by the situation. They would rather everything stay the same because it makes them feel safe. Divorce can cause tremendous changes that they may not be able to handle. Be patient with them as they cope with the situation. Signs of stress in a cat are usually shown by inappropriate urination (peeing around the house or spraying on walls), inappropriate defecation, excessive grooming and/or hiding.
6. Maintain Their Normal Routine
Try to keep work at home as close to normal as possible. Do not change their diet, litter, or daily schedule, if possible. Let them get used to other changes while keeping their routine as close to normal as possible.
7. Use a Pheromone Product
Some research suggests that pheromone sprays can calm cats and help them deal with stressful situations like divorces. These products mimic scents that will reassure your pets that they are safe despite the changes happening around them. This is another reason why we suggest leaving clothes with your partner’s perfume!
8. Bond With Your Kittens
Try to interact with your cats as normal, even if there is a disruption in your lifestyle. Remember that your pets will pick up on changes in the household, so interacting with them as you always do will reduce their stress levels.
9. Get Some Interactive Toys
Interactive toys are a great way to entertain your pets and provide welcome mental stimulation. Cats are intelligent animals. If your partner plays with cats the most, these products can make up for that loss. Plus, they’re a welcome distraction from all the other chaos that might be going on around the house.
10. Secure Your Cats
We understand the high emotions that come with divorce. Because of this, it’s important to reassure your kittens that everything is fine despite the changes. Provide your pets with attention and playtime. Create positive associations with their new activities or environment by using treats and praise.
Final Thoughts
Pet owners may underestimate the effects a significant life change like divorce can have on their cats. Cats tune in to what’s going on in the household. Instinct causes them to react to change suspiciously. Your goal is to make the new chapter as non-threatening as possible to your kittens. They don’t like change, so you must assure them that it will not affect the care and attention they will receive to make this a smooth transition.
Featured Image Credit: Lightfield Studios, Shutterstock
