Many cats do not like change. If you have ever tried getting your cat to change its sleeping spot then you can relate to this. They are pretty territorial animals who prefer to return to a familiar environment instead of a new one. This definitely means that your cat does not like that you are moving houses.
Moving with animals especially cats can be stressful in its own. This is because you won’t know how they’ll react to the change of environment or the move. Of course, the temperament of the cat contributes a lot to how stress free the move will be however, you as a cat owner also have to put some measures in place to ensure that the move is as seamless as possible. Anxiety or fear is the major thing you want to avoid in your cat as you move to a new house as it may affect how they adjust to the new house. Read on for tips on how to move with your cat.
Before you move
Before the D-day, you need to put some things in place to make the transition easier on your cat. If your cat does not like the carrier whenever it is used, make sure that they are accustomed to it before the moving day as they will most likely be sitting in it for hours on that day. Make sure the carriers are comfortable. One thing that helps is letting your cat use the carrier themselves. This includes leaving it open in their space and encouraging them to explore it. You can put their favorite toys in the carrier. If your cat is not taking the bait, the next thing to do is to move feeding into the carrier. Place their food beside the carrier and later inside it. You may need to start this several days before the move to ensure that your cat is comfortable in the carrier before moving date.
Keeping a routine also helps the cat adjust to a move. While the days preceding a move can be difficult for you because you are in a hurry to pack up and move everything, it is important to keep a routine with your cat. Feeding time, naps, walks should not fall out of a routine. This is important because a change in routine will get the cat anxious and cranky. If you have a cat that is prone to high levels of anxiety, it is better to speak with a vet before moving day. The doctor will be able to advice on how to proceed and if you might need to give your cats anti-anxiety medications, calming aids, prescription diets or supplements.
Moving day
On moving day, you should prioritize keeping your cat safe and comfortable. You should make sure they are out of harm’s way while moving things from the apartment. Make sure you only employ the best movers in NYC for this. Locate them before the movers arrive and ensure they are not in the same room as the movers. If they have become comfortable with the carrier, it may be a good idea to put them there during the move. If not, make sure a room is emptied first during the move and keep them there with food and water until it’s time to go.
Feed them a small meal. The last thing you want on moving is your cat getting sick. They may be in the car for a long time during the move and may get motion sickness. Large meals will increase their chances of getting sick. When it’s time to go, load the cat inside the carrier and make sure they ride with you and not with the luggage. Do not let your cat out of the carrier until you have reached you have reached your new home to avoid them wandering off. Keep them in a spare room until all the boxes have been moved inside.
After the move
Once at your new home, your cat needs some time to adjust to the new home. Give the cat the freedom to explore the house on their own. Follow the normal routines from your former house including feeding, strolling and playtime. If the previous owners had a pet, it is important to thoroughly clean the house before moving your cat there because the scent of another animal might out them off. Set up a permanent sleep space for your pet. You can set up two places and let the cat decide which one it prefers. After a few days to weeks, you should notice your cat adjusting to its new home. If your cat is showing signs of anxiety such as aggression, running off even after a few weeks, then you should talk to a vet. How will be able to advice on what steps to take.
In conclusion, moving can be stressful on cats as they do not like to move around. His important thing to do is ensure that they are comfortable and catered for before, during and after the move. Knowing you are around to comfort them sometimes is enough to calm down the cat.
