Moving with cats ... a tip or two ...

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If you are moving with cats, a few simple steps can make an enormous difference for your pets - while ensuring they remain physically safe and reducing the likelihood of stress related medical and behavioral problems.

Cats are creatures of habit and strongly attached to their territory. They don't cope well with change.

 

Moving is a huge job, you're stressed, you’re running full tilt but at least … you know what is going on.

For your cat, there is absolutely no rhyme or reason for their home and territorial possessions being packed up into cardboard boxes.

Your kitty could become extremely upset. Be aware that during a move your cat might become stressed to the max and his or her coping mechanisms can break down.

One of the keys to ensuring a smooth move
is to maintain some sense of every day routine
during the whole process.

Begin by creating a safe room ... a secure and safe place to put your cat

... a comfortable spot with familiar possessions (and smells), where your pet will avoid the disturbing confusion of packing and moving day. Safely confined - with windows and doors locked – your cat won’t be able to run away if it gets spooked.

A must do - provide identification for your pet

When moving with cats it's reeeally important that your pet have at least some type of standard identification ... a collar and cat id tag, tattoo, microchip.

Update your emergency contact information on a cat identification tag and with registries, vets ... using one or two current working phone numbers - where you can be reached during and after the move - and your new address.

Write this information with a permanent marker on your carrier as well. You can also add feeding instructions and note behavioral or medical problems and your cat's name, of course.

Carry with you medications, medical records and pictures of your cats.

When to let your cat outside

If yours is an outdoor cat, the time will come when he or she is ready to venture outside.

For your cat, it really is a scary jungle out there. He must now begin to stake out his own territory and mark it with his own scent.

Your yard could already ‘belong’ to more than one cat.

More importantly - at this stage - your cat can easily become lost.    Cats rely on their powerful sense of smell – if he hasn’t thoroughly marked his territory with his own scent – your cat really has no scent marker, or reference point to use when he tries to return. Stray cats are often lost cats.

Your feline's first few outings should be gradual and supervised. Always stay with your cat. Do consider putting a leash or a harness on your cat to make sure he or she stays close to you.

Remember, not all neighborhoods are cat friendly. Some people can be very unkind to your cat if they find him or her on their property.

(Moving presents an ideal opportunity to change your cat's lifestyle ... from an outdoor to an indoor cat. It's much safer for them and increases their life span considerably.)

Moving with cats requires planning and preparation but you and your cats will be well rewarded for your efforts ... safe and comfortable in your new home - you and your felines can happily ease back into your regular routines.

Related information:

Letting a cat outside for the first time - your cat's first trips outside should be gradual, controlled and supervised.

Cat spraying - your stressed out cat may feel the need to scent mark your new home with urine.

 

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