Moving House With a Cat: Moving With Pets : Part 2

Cats, according to the feline health experts at Hill’s Pet Foods, ‘develop strong bonds with their environment’. Some cats are so sensitive to changes in place that they even run away to their former home when their owner moves.

To keep your cat safe from his or her own instincts and other moving hazards, follow these tips for a stress free experience when moving house with a cat.

Keep Kitty Confined while the Removalists Pack Your Things

Before the removalists come, put your cat, his or her litter box, food, water, cat carrier, and favourite bedding in an empty room. Place a sign on the door to tell the removalists not to go into the room. Keep your cat in the room until you get ready to leave the home.

Move Your Cat’s Essentials with You

Just like you pack a first-week bag for each of your family members, pack one for your cat as well. Food, favourite toys, bedding, and dishes should go with you if possible. If not, consider looking into a movers and packers service or ask your removalists to put your cat’s bag of belongings towards the back of the van so they will unload it first.

Travel with Your Cat if Possible

Keep your cat with you in the car. Make sure to keep him or her in the carrier until you arrive at your new home to ensure he or she won’t hop out during the trip. If you have a long trip, and the cat needs to relieve himself or herself, use a collar or leash—or allow him to use the litter box.

Have water freely available to your cat during the trip.  If you have to fly, see if you can hold your cat in your carrier on your lap. Otherwise, make sure your cat carrier contains familiar objects, such as a favourite blanket, that will provide familiar scents and keep your cat calm.

Never allow your cat to sit in a hot car unattended.

Make Sure Your Cat Has an ID Tag or is Microchipped

Though you take all the precautions in the world, your cat may still find a way to escape. It’s important that you have a collar on your cat or have him microchipped to ensure that he or she will be returned to your care.

Once You Arrive, Place Your Cat in a Pre-Cat Scented Room

Cats’ sense of smell is keen. Use that sense to create a familiar environment for him or her in one of the rooms in your new home. Since cats have scent glands around their faces, use a soft cloth to rub your cat on his or her cheeks and face. Rub the cloth with the cat’s scent on it around your new home, starting with the first room you keep your cat in.

Keep Your Cat Inside for a Few Weeks

Allow your cat to get used to your new home for a few weeks before you let him or her explore outside. If your cat is used to a collar and leash, you may want to take him or her outside with a leash until she or he seems calm in the new environment.

Maintain Your Cat’s Normal Routine

Once everything’s unpacked, try to keep your cat’s schedule as normal as possible. Feeding times, times you turn your home’s lights off and on, and your family bedtime should stay the same as it was in your previous home.

With these tips, your move can be as much of an adventure for your cat as it is for you.

For more moving tips or to discuss an upcoming move, contact the moving professionals at Zoom Removals today.