We move houses/apartments for all sorts of reasons, whether we’ve outgrown our old place, corporate relocations, downsizing etc.
Our feline friends don’t get much say as to where and when we move but we should still consider them – they are members of the family after all.
Cats don’t particularly enjoy moving around too much and it generally takes them time to get readjusted to their new environments.
There are different things to consider with cats than there would be if you were moving house with a dog.
Below, is a checklist of things you should consider when moving your cat to a new home with as little fuss as possible.
Moving House with a Cat
Cats are creatures of habit and typically don’t deal with change all that well – like us humans, moving house is quite a big deal to them.
There are three main steps to consider when moving a house with your cat; the pre-move, the move, and the settling period. We’ve got a checklist below that will assist in maintaining your cat’s mental and physical wellbeing throughout the whole house moving process.
Moving House With A Cat Checklist
Moving your cat into a new home can be challenging, follow our checklist below for an easier transition for both of you.
Before the Move
1. Before the big move, make sure that your cat has plenty of time to get acquainted with its carrier. Throughout the day, you should leave it open and drop a few treats and a comfy blanket inside to provide a stress-free environment while your cat gets used to it.
However, if your cat is having an unusually hard time getting used to the carrier, try feeding him/her next to it, so they’ll get used to it being. Then, work on putting their food bowl in the carrier itself so they will feel more comfortable being inside of it. Eventually, your cat will love its carrier and you won’t have to worry about stuffing your pet into the contraption on moving day (some cats have a terrible relationship with carriers and if you have experienced this previously, it would be better to keep the carrier out of sight until the very last minute).
If you notice that your cat is getting nervous about their carrier or the move in general, consult your vet and see if you can use anti-anxiety medication to make the move easier for them.
2. Make sure to keep your cat’s regular routine as consistent as possible. The last thing your pet needs is the stress of their feeding schedule being changed around before the big move. Plus, you can easily use a timer on your smartphone to keep their schedule on track.
3. Put moving boxes around your home a few weeks before the move, so your cat can get adjusted to them being there. If you don’t, your cat may end up getting nervous and work against you on moving day.
During the Move
1. Don’t overfeed your cat on moving day to reduce bathroom troubles or stomach irritation while you’re moving him/her to your new home.
2. Try keeping your cat locked in a room when the movers come to prevent him/her from trying to escape. (plus, this’ll be more convenient for your movers). Just make sure to give your cat plenty of food and water, and put a sign on the door for your movers so they know not to go in there (making sure not to overfeed them).
3. Don’t open your cat’s carrier while in transit. Your cat will either try to run out of the carrier or scratch you. Don’t worry, the move will be over before you know it.
After the Move
1. Offer your cat plenty of meals to help ease their nerves.
2. So, how long should you keep your cat inside after you move house? Don’t let your cat outdoors for at least two weeks after your move.
3. Try keeping your cat’s routine as normal and consistent as possible to prevent your pet from getting anxious about their new environment.
Moving an Outdoor Cat to a New Home
1. Before letting your cat go outdoors again, make sure they are properly adjusted to the new indoor environment first.
2. Make sure your cat has a proper ID, such as a collar with a quick release function, and is microchipped in case they ever get lost.
3. When moving an outdoor cat to a new home, make sure that your cat’s vaccination is up-to-date, many new landlords require this for moving into a new house or apartment.
4. Try shooing away any cats walking around your lawn or driveway since this is territorial behavior. It’s important that your cat sees this new home as their territory and not being overtaken by other cats.
5. When you allow your cat to go outdoors for the first time, go out with them. This can help calm their nerves in this new environment. In most cases, they’ll try hanging out with you in your yard, so take advantage of this opportunity to play with your pet.
Moving house with your pets can be stressful – apply some of the above tips and it’ll be an easy time for you and your beloved pets.