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Moving With Cats
Cats are known for despising change. Most cats are very territorial animals who like to spend their days in a familiar environment and resist new routines. But sadly for our companion animals, sometimes we do have to relocate, which means they have to move too.
Moving with a cat is all about reducing stress when you can. How your cat responds to the transfer has a lot to do with its specific disposition. As a pet owner, you need to do your best to maintain the situation as calmly as possible for your beloved pet.
Taking the time and effort to reduce your cat's stress during a move can benefit both of you. You can help smoothen the transition and lessen the possibility of your furry friend developing a fearful or anxious state of mind in your new home.
To make relocating with a cat less uncomfortable for both you and your pet, you can try the tips below.
Before The House Move
Preparing your pet for a move begins well before the day the moving truck arrives. This is generally the most straightforward stage of the procedure, as your cat is still in its natural habitat and more intrigued than worried about what is going on.
It’s crucial to take these early efforts to accustom your cat to the subtleties of a move so that when moving day does come, they’re better equipped to manage it.
Get Your Cat Comfy in the Carrier
Several weeks before your travel or move, prepare your cat's carrier. To accommodate them, the space should be large enough to allow them to stretch, turn around, and rest their heads. Even if they all get along quite well for those with at least two cats, it's important to note that you may have a lengthy journey.
Thus, if you have a big vehicle like an SUV, van, or station wagon, you may want to consider getting a carrier that can house all your cats. You may use a fluffy towel or an old sweater to cushion the bottom of a cat carrier. Using a hoodie or towel that smells like you increases your cat's feeling of comfort. Cats should get used to the pet transport a few weeks before the trip. You may feed them inside or outside of the carrier as long as the door is open.
In the case of two cats, it is recommended to put a small amount of wet food in each cat carrier during mealtime. Do this exercise three-four times each week for a few weeks before your vacation. Allow your cat the freedom to enter and leave the carrier at their own pace by leaving the door open.
Cats Like Moving Boxes
When you're moving, you'll be glad to know that cats have a thing for cardboard boxes. Start by putting out a few boxes for your cat to try. As soon as you detect that they're anxious, let them play with a favourite toy or put goodies in the crates.
Keep to a Schedule
Cats and dogs are pretty much the same when it comes to maintaining their routine throughout a move. Meals, playtime, and cuddling should all take place at the exact times each day. Changing environments and habits may be stressful for cats, but although you can't control the former, you can make efforts to keep the latter. Even on moving days, you'll want to keep up with your routine.
Talk to Your Veterinarian
Naturally, some cats are tenser than others. If your cat is likely stressed or anxious, talk to your vet about methods to control it before moving. Anti-anxiety drugs, vitamins, prescription diets, and soothing aids are all available to alleviate these sensations.
Together with the aforementioned behavioural hints, they may go a long way toward easing your kitty's anxiety throughout the transition.
Night Before The House Move
Before you move house, ensure your cats have access to a litter box by keeping them in a familiar place such as a bedroom or kitchen. Incredibly, a cat can tell when a human is going to depart and then hide. Make sure the carrier's door is open before putting your cat in the room.
Having this done in the morning will help you put your cat in the carrier later on. The night before your vacation, give your cat its usual supper but don't overfeed it. A pet remedy, or a natural product, may be able to help. Utilise this to ease their anxiety.
On The Day Of Moving
Ensure that the carrier has enough capacity in your vehicle before you begin packing. The cat should be the last one to go in after the luggage. Wait a while. Try to convince your cat to get inside the carrier again if they were previously uncomfortable with it.
Put them on the floor with their tail or butt close to the carrier's open door, and you'll be able to back them into the carrier easily. Keep one hand around the cat's ribs while pressing your other hand on the cat's face with an open palm to get them to return to the carrier.
When the carrier is placed against a wall, it is more convenient. As soon as the cat is safely back in its carrier, gently swing the door shut with one hand. Slide your hand out but maintain an open palm to keep the door closed and locked. Because the cat won't be able to escape, this prevents it from trying to do so.
Load your cat inside the vehicle with the carrier door shut. Get it correctly the first time. The more times you try and fail to get your cat into the carrier, the more difficult it gets to complete this task. Feel free to practice this a few times until your cats adjust. Immediately after a successful move, open the cat door and give your cat a treat or supper.
In The Process Of Moving
When moving day finally comes, you'll need to make sure your cat is safe and secure. At this stage, there are still ways you may alleviate your cat's nervousness, but you'll also have to realise that this day is likely to be a stressful one for them. Fortunately, you can help ease their burden a little bit by paying attention to them and showing compassion.
Small Meals are Best
The stomach is no exception to the body's response to stress and worry. It's a good idea to cut down on your cat's food intake to avoid causing gastrointestinal distress or vomiting. If your cat is prone to vehicle sickness, this will come in handy.
Keep Your Cat Enclosed
You'll have to open and close your front door a lot during the moving process, and you don't want your cat escaping. Using movers or having people you don't know around might make it challenging to keep an eye on your cat. Keep your cat in a safe place, but don't put them in their carrier before it's essential.
It's a good idea to place your cat in an empty room so that they can get some rest before you start unloading the rest of your belongings. Put a notice on the door informing friends or movers that the cat is inside, and the door must be kept shut if they are helping you move.
There is some consolation in knowing that your cat is secure and comfortable in its environment, even if it doesn't like it.
Immediately After The Move
Finally, the worst has passed. Now that your cat has settled into its new home, it's up to you to make it as comfortable as possible.
Follow the Lead Set by Your Cat
The more anxious your cat is, the more cautious you should be while introducing them to their new surroundings. Stressed cats may not be able to handle having the entire run of the home right away, mainly because they'll have to adapt to a new litter box placement in an unfamiliar setting.
Make a place for your cat's possessions, including their litter box, at the beginning of the process. Interact with your cat and perform other usual things in the room at the same time. Curiosity should replace fear as your cat gets used to the new environment and is ready to explore more.
Do Thorough Cleaning
This is highly significant if the new house previously housed other animals. It's the primary animal odours that cats can detect, and any stress that those animals may have experienced might boost their stress levels. Use a Clorox wipe to clean countertops and surfaces, shampoo and deep clean carpets, then vacuum every square inch of the floor.
Put in Place an Area for a Litter Box
Your pet's litter box will need a permanent home when they're ready to explore more. If you're going to have a litter box in the central area of the house, make sure it's in their "home-base room." Afterwards, remove the home-base box so that just the permanent one is left behind.
Talk to your veterinarian if your cat isn’t adapting after a few weeks and you don’t know what to do. There is a chance that just being there and paying attention can help ease your cat’s moving-related anxiety. Your cat will begin to adapt to their new surroundings if you show them that they are not in danger.
Pet Care Tips
The idea of owning a pet is appealing. However, taking on the duty of caring for a pet is a large one. Keeping your pet happy, active, and healthy can be a lot easier if you follow these pet care tips:
- Keep your pet's diet healthy and nutritious.
- Take them out for a half-hour stroll every day.
- In time, give them the immunisation they need.
- Maintain a sanitary and clean atmosphere around them. Setting your cat in a clean area will help keep their fur clean and healthy.
- Do weekly or monthly check-ins with the veterinarian.
- Take the time to get to know your pet, and don't leave them alone for too long.
- Shelter them safely and hygienically.
- Maintain a clean and allergen-free environment.
- Treat them as if they are your children, and speak to them as if they were members of your own family.
- Do not release them automatically to your new house. They might run around and might even go out of your vicinity, resulting in losing them. Feed them in their cage first and give them time to adjust and get comfortable in your new house.
Move Your Pets With A Local Removal
It is a good idea to request for assistance with your local removal when moving with dogs or cats. They are experts in this arena, registered and authorised to move things without worries, and will save you any hassles. In terms of convenience, it would be ideal to ask for their available services. This is to ensure the safety of your house items and prevent your pets from becoming stressed during the move.
