Decorating

Lilith1980

Hi all,

Hopefully I will be moving house within the next month and am taking my cat Charlie with me. (Separating from husband).

The house I have seen is a bit 'tired' inside so I am willing to get the paint and rollers out to brighten it up.

I was just concerned about my cat though, not so much about whether he would step in the paint (although this is an issue!) but more so about the fumes.

I was going to shut him in another room, but wondered when I could let him back in after painting? Obviously I would open the windows while painting to ventilate the room but I didn't want to let Charlie back in too soon and make him ill

Thanks

Apricot

I shut my cats in another room when painting but as soon as it was pretty dry I let them out and they ran straight into the painted room. Didn't do them any harm at all (had patio doors open).

cinderellacomplex

One of my cats went straight up and nudged a painted wall once, an outside one on someone else's house. Maybe he didn't smell it because of the wind.. or maybe he is just as thick as bricks!.. but he had white paint down the side of his head for ages.

I would say that if he is quite happy where he is while you are painting then leave him there for a while after so that you can leave the windows open longer. If you have just moved then he'll be stressed enough without paint smells adding to it, and you don't want to risk him escaping and not knowing where to return to if the windows are open and he's new in the area.

Lilith1980

Thanks peeps

Was thinking of buying a Feliway plug-in thing as well to try and help him settle into the new place quicker, do you think this would help or should I just let him come round in his own time?

I'm so glad he is coming with me - he's a little monkey but he has kept me going

cinderellacomplex

Feliway can be good but many cats manage moves without it. Personally I prefer treats and cuddles unless he is a nervous kitty. If he has his own bed then maybe keep it unwashed and in a cosy little corner at first, if he doesn't then do the same with a blanket or cushion that will smell of the old house? He'll very probably be absolutely fine. I only have one cat that I would use a feliway plug-in for when moving house, he freaked out when I changed my bedroom from one room to another and was in a huff for WEEKS.. move the sofa and he'll be suspicious for days.. nutcase!

Lilith1980

Lol that's funny :rotfl:

I'd much rather give Charlie cuddles and the odd treat. He's not really nervous, he used to be when we first got him but now he's as c ocky as anything! He has his own bed so I will leave washing it until we've been in the new place a bit.

He follows me around pretty much everywhere anyway so I'm sure he will settle down with me on the sofa once he's got his bearings bless him

Fire_Fox

Just purchase paint marked 'low VOCs' as these don't contain the same level of harmful fumes.

Lilith1980

Thanks hun

BubblyMumbles

When you move in to your new place just let Charlie have access to a room or a bit at a time. Once he seems confident in one room open another door and go with him to explore!

Good luck with you move!

Lilith1980

Good idea, show him around his new home

He'll be ruling the roost again before long I'm sure