If a cat could choose, she wouldn't want anything to change. Cats don't always adapt to change, so imagine how they will feel when you move into a new home. Their anxiety and nervousness about this movement can make cats change their behavior, such as hiding, trying to run away, and pooping in the house out of fear. It's a good idea to do everything you can to reduce your cat's anxiety before, during, and after the housewarming process is complete.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Cat for Moving
Step 1. Check the cat's identification collar
Even if you do your best to prevent your cat from freaking out and running away during the move, she may find a way to escape. The complete identity will be very useful if someone else finds it later. Make sure the ID necklace includes your cell phone number, as landline numbers are bound to change once you move.
- If your cat hasn't been microchipped, take it to the vet and have it installed. A microchip is a small device that is placed under the skin. If someone finds your cat, he or she can take him to the vet or to an animal shelter where they can microchip scan and identify you as the owner.
- Preparing a “Lost Cat” flyer will also come in handy. This flyer should contain a photo of the cat, its characteristics, the address of your vet clinic or local animal shelter, and your contact information. If it turns out that your cat actually ran away, these ready-made flyers can be distributed as quickly as possible in the neighborhood.
Step 2. Take the cat to the vet
Make sure he has the latest cat vaccinations and parasite control medication. Moving house is a stressful process, so it's a good idea to make sure she's as healthy as possible. The veterinarian can administer the necessary vaccinations and administer parasite control medications.
- While you're at the vet's clinic, don't forget to ask for the cat's medical record. This medical record is especially important if you have to change vets after moving. This copy of the medical record will make it easier for the new vet to get a complete history of your cat.
- Talk to your vet about medications to treat anxiety. Its use depends on the nature of the cat. Maybe she needs this medication to reduce anxiety during the moving process. The doctor will discuss what medications are available and how to give them, if necessary.
Step 3. Find an animal-friendly hotel
If you're traveling out of town with a cat, you may need to stay at a hotel. But finding a hotel that allows cats may be difficult, as not all hotels accept cats. Even if you accept, the hotel may not have a special room for cats. In addition, animal-friendly hotels may also have more expensive rates.
- When you arrive at your hotel room, check the room for the cat to be safe and comfortable before she is released out of the cargo hold. This room is unfamiliar to him and he may find a place to hide or crawl under (under or behind the bed, under a chair).
- It may be best if you lock the cat in the bathroom first while you prepare the room. You can also practice this when moving house. Leave the cat cargo in the bathroom with him.
Step 4. Introduce the cat to his cargo so that he is comfortable and used to it
Make the cat comfortable in its cargo for a few weeks before moving on. You can use hard or soft cargo. Hard cargo is sturdier, but you'll need soft cargo if you plan to fly to a new place and will be taking your cat on a plane.
- Make the cargo look attractive by leaving the door open and placing bedding and cat food inside.
- Encourage him to spend time in the cargo hold by feeding him there.
- Place a blanket over the cargo to make it a safe hiding place, and this will come in handy the next time you move.
- Reward him with food every time he gets into the cargo hold. This will build a positive association with the cargo.
- Take him for a walk with the cargo. First, put him in the car, but don't start it yet. If your cat stays calm when the car isn't moving, take her for a short drive, then a little longer. Reward him every time he calms down in the cargo hold while driving with you.
Step 5. Make the cat feel comfortable with the boxes of things to move
The sight of a pile of cardboard goods can make a cat feel very anxious. A few weeks before moving in, lay out some empty boxes for him to play with and get used to. If she seems particularly worried about the boxes, spray cat pheromones (available at pet stores) on the corners of the boxes. The smell of the pheromone will prompt him to examine the cardboard.
By giving your cat time to examine the cardboard, she is more likely to end up playing with it, and this can help reduce anxiety levels
Step 6. Keep your cat's routine consistent
You must be busy packing things into boxes and getting everything ready. Even if your schedule changes, make sure your cat's routine is consistent. This will reduce the level of anxiety. For example, keep feeding and playing games at the same time every day.
If you notice your cat's anxiety is increasing despite a consistent routine, you can add more playtime with him
Part 2 of 3: Moving to a New Home
Step 1. Prepare a hiding room for the cat
On the day of moving, people will keep going back and forth from room to room and in and out of doors. This level of traffic will make the cat feel very anxious. Put him in a separate, closed room to protect him from the hustle and bustle of traffic. To add to the comfort of the cat, also place food bowls, drinks, litter boxes, toys, and bedding in the room.
- Get him into the room before you start the moving process. Once he's comfortable in the room, put a warning sign on the door so people don't open it.
- The bathroom is a great choice for putting a cat, as people won't be going back and forth to it.
- You can also put the cat's cargo in the room, because at this point he's already comfortable with the cargo.
- If you're moving not too far away, it's best to put him in a vet clinic or at a pet day care center on the day of the move. Discuss these options with your veterinarian.
Step 2. Give the cat a small breakfast
Maybe she's feeling anxious about the day of the move and is on a hunger strike. If this happens, give him a small amount of food at his usual mealtime, so that his stomach doesn't hurt.
Step 3. Load the cat into the cargo hold
You can put him in while he's still in the hiding room or when you want to take him in the car. Don't forget to close the cargo door until you're in a closed room in your new home. While it's tempting to open the cargo hold beforehand to calm the cat down, the cat's fears and anxieties may actually make him run away.
Part 3 of 3: Getting Cats Used to a New Home
Step 1. Set up the cat's hiding room in the new home
Do this before you start loading things into the house and tidying up. Prepare the room the way you would in the old house. Don't forget to put a scratching post in the room. Open the cargo door and scatter some dry food all over the room to push the cat out of the cargo hold and explore the room.
- Once the huddle of the moving process is over, keep the cat in the hiding room for the next few days. He may need a few days to adjust and feel comfortable in the new environment.
- Spend more time with the cat in the room. You can play and interact with them, but also do quiet activities there, like reading.
Step 2. Secure a new home for your cat
While the cat is still in the hiding room, make sure the whole house is safe for him to explore and adjust. Make sure there are no mouse traps, as these traps usually contain toxic pesticides. Hide power cords, make sure windows are secure, and seal any gaps where cats can hide or get caught.
- Set up several litter boxes throughout the house, especially if your house has multiple floors.
- Spread the cat's scent throughout the house. To do this, place your hand in a clean sock and gently rub the cat's cheek for pheromones. After that, rub the sock into the corners of the furniture at cat height. Do this a few times before you get the cat out of the hiding room. When he came out, he would recognize the scent as if he had already marked the new territory.
Step 3. Place scratching posts and toys in various places
Cats will be tempted to mark their territory in your new home. With scratching posts and favorite toys throughout the house, he'll be encouraged to scratch and play with familiar objects instead of looking for new places to scratch or mark.
Step 4. Establish a regular eating schedule
Cats may feel too anxious to eat a lot during the process of adjusting to a new environment. Even if he is not in the mood to eat, still feed him in small portions but often and on a regular schedule. This method will give the impression of normal and routine in the new home. Plus, the more often you feed him, the more time you spend with him. This will also reduce the cat's anxiety level.
- Feed him in his hiding room.
- Setting a regular schedule for play and sleep will also help your cat adjust to the new home.
Step 5. Get the cat out of the hiding room
Give him plenty of time and space to explore new environments. Even after a few days, he might still feel anxious. So let him feel comfortable on his own. Offer him food while he explores the house and give him access to some of his favorite toys.
- Give him a place to hide or sleep, such as a cat tunnel, a place he can go.
- Introducing him to one room at a time will also help, instead of letting him explore the whole house at once.
- Leave the litter box in the hiding room until he has adapted to the rest of the house. The hiding room will still be a sanctuary for him for a while, so let him use the litter box in the room for the first few weeks.
Step 6. Keep the cat indoors for a few weeks
This is especially important if your cat is usually allowed to play outside or is kept completely outdoors. The environment outside the home will be as foreign as the environment in the new home, so getting out of the house will only make him run away. If you want to get them out, put them on a leash, which you can buy at your local pet store.
- You can also purchase a cage to keep your cat safe when outdoors, as well as protect it from predators.
- You can spread some of the cat litter around the yard before removing it. This will help the cat to feel familiar to the area, as well as let the nearby cats know that a new cat is here.
Tips
- Moving with a cat will require a lot of consideration and planning from the start. However, the extra time and effort you put into preparing him will help the moving process go more smoothly for both of you.
- If you can, don't replace all the furniture with new ones. Cats will adjust more easily if they feel they are in familiar territory. So if you can, bring some old furniture.
- If you must bring a flying cat with you when you move, contact the airline in advance to check the cargo requirements of the aircraft. Also, find out who will be responsible for feeding the cat and water. Don't forget to pack something familiar in your cargo during your trip, such as her favorite blanket. Upon arrival, pick up your cat as soon as possible.
Warning
- Be prepared to hear a loud howl in the car during the trip. Most cats find traveling in a car very confused and strange, so they will howl loudly. This howl will be very annoying for the rider and stress everyone, unless everyone is prepared for this commotion. You can reduce howling by introducing your cat to the environment in the car a few weeks before moving.
- Do not give your cat more anti-anxiety medication than the vet recommends. Excessive doses can cause serious medical problems. If the prescribed dose doesn't seem to be working, contact your veterinarian to ask if you can increase the dose.
