Reply #8: Hey, jukes, was just going to post a question for you... [View All]

...can cats handle melatonin? We're getting ready to move (you know my male-feral-abandonment worry issues -- he hasn't been around the last few days; he's fickle, probably over flirting with my neighbor and her 15 cats) and we have three "domesticated" cats and one semi-feral who lives in our garage, roams freely via a kitty door and doesn't interact that much with our three other cats (one of whom is EXCEEDINGLY territorial - a rather wacky and aggressive female).

So, the move is in about a month. Moving one state to the next, about an 8 hour drive. I'm going to have our vet sedate the semi-feral for the drive, but once we get there I'm worried about her bolting. Worried also about one of our other cats, who has grown up in this house (been here 10 years); he's the love of my life and I don't want him to wander off! I love all my kids but have a special bond with this cat. So, how do I get them relaxed and willing to hang around our new place for a while when we first move? I don't want to drug them, but thought perhaps a little melatonin in the food might keep them mellow until they get used to the smells of the place, chill out a bit from the move, etc. NO real option to have them all be inside kitties; the semi-feral would freak out, and my territorial female goes bonkers if she can't roam a bit. We're looking to rent a house on 20 acres, so there should be plenty of space, but I haven't seen that house yet (will in a week) nor do I know if it's "ours" yet. And then we'll probably buy our own in a few months to a year, depending on what we find and if we really do like our new area (so there's transition #2 in the near future). My friend gives some melatonin to her elderly dog and it helps him sleep through the nights; I know cat metabolisms are very different and wonder if you have any info/thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks so much! I'm exhausted and going to bed but will check this thread in the a.m. Cats cats cats cats cats cats cats cats.......