Moving home is stressful, but moving home with cats can be even more stressful for you and them. Here are some tips to help you when moving home with a cat.

 

Moving home can be really stressful, for so many reasons. When it comes to your pet’s, believe us when we say the move is much more stressful for them, especially when they are cats. Cat’s are known for being territorial and sensitive to a change in their environment. A new smell, piece of furniture or even a new plant can cause them stress, so it’s no surprise a complete house move can leave them feeling quite uneasy. However, with some careful planning and lots of awareness, it is possible to avoid many potential problems with moving cats and make the entire scenario easier for both you and your feline friend.

 

Self Storage

If your cat is going to be around on moving day, it’s worth getting as many of your items as possible into self storage before the move. If possible, have the moving van collect items from your self storage unit and take it to your home, that way the cat doesn’t have to deal with removals men coming in and out of the house. They also won’t have to deal with familiar smells being removed one by one. It’s also useful as it means you can arrive at your new home with all your furniture in it, so all the smells your cat is used to will already be embedded in your new home.

 

Cattery

If possible, the best thing to do is have your cat out of the way completely when you move. If cats are stressed they are liable to go missing for a few days, which makes things complicated in relation to your house move. A cattery is a good choice as it means your cat will be in a neutral, calm environment while you get the new house in order, so the cat avoids being around any chaos or stress.

 

Before The Move

If your cat is not going into a cattery when you move, make sure you keep the cat carrier out for the cat to smell and investigate before moving day.

On The Day Of The Move

At the very beginning of the day, place the cat in a secure room away from all the movement going on in the rest of the house. If needed, keep him or her in the night before so you don’t have to go searching for them on moving day. Give them litter and water (but no food to avoid accidents on the journey) and place a sign on the door letting others know not to go into that room. When it is time to go, place your cat in the cat carrier with a familiar piece of clothing, toy or blanket and secure the carrier into the car. If you’re going on a long journey, opt for a larger cage and place a large towel or blanket over it (ensuring plenty of air can still travel through the cage). If the cage is big enough, place a litter tray inside it. At regular intervals offer the cat water and the litter tray, ensuring all the doors and windows are secure so the cat cannot escape. Never leave a cat in a hot car unattended and always make sure the cat is not overheated.

 

When You Get To Your New Home

When you get to your new home, leave the cat in the carrier to get used to the smells of the new home. After around 20 minutes or so, place the cat in one room with a litter tray, water, food and familiar bedding. You can either leave the cat in the one room for the evening, or consider letting your cat explore the house in full once all the windows and doors are shut.

 

After Moving Day

After moving day you will want to let the cat bind to the house before letting him out. Some recommend you do this for a fortnight, others for a month – the decision is up to you. Make sure you maintain the cat’s routine and provide lots of love and attention while he settles in. Some cats settle in straight away, others take a little while – it is individual to the cat.

 

Remember to:

• Be as calm and quiet as possible around the cat
• Maintain the cat’s routine after moving
• Do not show the cat aggression if he scratches or urinates in the new house – use proper training techniques to avoid this happening in future
• Remember to change the address of the cat’s microchip when moving

 
 

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