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Moving can be challenging. There’s the process of packing things a certain way, organising items, transferring everything, unpacking—the list goes on. And if you’re moving house with a cat, an extra layer of preparation gets thrown in.
Did you know your furry feline friend can also stress out about the move? Learn how you and your cat can confidently and calmly face the moving process together.
A breakdown of moving cats to a new home
What to do before moving house with cats
☐ Choose the right type of pet carrier
The first thing to do when preparing cats for a move is to get a travel carrier. But getting the right one is critical to your cat’s comfort and safety. It should also be spacious for your cat to stand, turn around, and move easily. If you have more than one cat, get an extra-large one to fit them.
☐ Introduce the travel carrier
Let your cat warm up to the pet carrier when you get it. Don’t wait until moving day! Cats need time to acclimate, so you can leave the carrier lying around the house days or weeks before the move. Keep the door open and let your cat become familiar with it. You can also put a blanket inside to make it cosy.
☐ Gradually pack your belongings
Cats are creatures of habit. It can upset or stress them if they suddenly see adjustments in the home. Try to pack your things little by little to prevent overwhelming your cat with abrupt changes. You can ask help from a reliable removalist for hard-to-pack items like furniture.
☐ Ensure your cat’s safety
Movers or packers speed up the transfer process, but you should keep your cat in a separate room. This will prevent instances like your cat knocking down things, causing accidents, or bolting out the door. Have your cat’s essentials in the dedicated room, and post a note on the door to let movers know there’s a cat inside.
☐ Update your feline’s identification
When moving cats to a new home, a commonly overlooked task is changing their ID tags. Doing this is crucial so it’s easier to identify and bring your cat back to you in case of a runaway or slip-away incident. You may also choose to have your cat microchipped.
4 Tips and things to know during the move
1: Be ready for motion sickness
Cats can get motion sickness. Some of the signs are heavy drooling, vocalisation, and vomiting. Hence, skipping the heavy meal and going for something light before the trip will help settle the stomach. If your cat has a history of motion sickness, consult your veterinarian for medications.
2: Have your cat’s essentials on board
Ensure you have everything your cat needs, such as food, water, bowls, pillows, and blankets or towels. You can also add your cat’s favourite toy to the carrier. Bringing items with familiar scents will help aid in self-soothing. Don’t forget your cat’s other belongings, like a pet harness, leash, vitamins or supplements, medications (if any), and additional toys.
3: Take breaks for long drives
Ideally, finding a trusted pet taxi contractor or travelling in a private vehicle is best. You can go on multiple stopovers if the trip takes several hours. You can walk your cat out on a leash and allow for some stretching time. Breaks are also helpful if your cat gets motion sickness or anxious in the car.
4: Consider pheromones for your cat
Pheromones are chemicals cats produce and use to communicate with each other. Cats generally feel a sense of comfort and familiarity with the presence of pheromones. Catnip is a herb that acts like a cat pheromone, producing positive and happy feelings. You can buy pheromone sprays, catnip leaves, or balls from local pet shops.
How to transition a cat to a new home
Start small
Don’t overwhelm your cat by exposing them to a large unfamiliar territory. You can ease into the transition stage by introducing a small room first. Remember to secure doors and windows to prevent any runaway mishaps.
Be patient and do what you can to help
Moving stress on cats is real and can take a toll on them. Give your cat time to adjust, but most importantly, share extra TLC. You can try dabbing a clean cloth on your cat’s face, then wipe it around the new home or spots that cats usually rub against. This will help your cat feel more at home. Pheromones or catnip is also a good way of getting a cat used to a new home.
Additional tips
If you’re moving an older cat to a new home, it’s best to be extra patient and accommodating to their needs. Senior cats may be more sensitive, stubborn, or difficult to travel with. Watch out for your feline friend and keep the travel as stress-free and peaceful as possible.
You can still apply the tips above when travelling long distances or moving across the country. But be more mindful and have an extra supply of essentials to compensate for the long trip. Find a pet-friendly hotel or accommodation if needed.
Say no to having your cat stressed from moving!
No matter how close or far you’re travelling, hassle doesn’t have to be a part of it. Make moving house with cats easy with the tips shared here, or book an appointment with a pet transport expert near you. You can even have a trusted house mover to ease the burden of your moving to-do list. Find them on Airtasker today!
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FAQs on moving with cats
It can take a few weeks for your cat to settle down and feel safe in a new home. Remember to be patient and supportive!
Cats are reluctant to move and make changes. But that doesn’t mean they can’t adapt to a new home. It simply takes time.
You can try different things to help your cat settle into your new home, such as using pheromones and giving catnip. You can also wipe your cat’s scent across the house and bring old toys and blankets to add a familiar scent.
You can let your cat out immediately as long as all doors and windows are securely shut. But starting with a small room is best to prevent overwhelming your cat. Be sure that fragile items are also put away.
It’s possible, especially if they have experienced a long, exhausting journey. That’s why keeping your cats as comfortable as possible during your move is crucial.
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