When you’re moving to Midland, you have a lot on your plate – there are boxes to pack, utilities to change over, trucks and moving professionals to coordinate… you get the picture. But if you’re moving with a cat, the whole ballgame changes. How do you get your furry feline companion from Point A to Point B safely, and what can you do to make the trip as easy as possible? This guide to moving with a cat explains.
Moving With a Cat: The Complete Guide to Saving Your Sanity
There’s no way around it – moving with a cat can be stressful on you and your cat. And let’s be honest… cats aren’t really known for loving new adventures (especially when they involve cat carriers and a whole new environment).
Moving with a cat is about one thing: Minimizing stress on everyone. Sure, your cat has his or her own temperament, and that’ll dictate how smoothly your move goes. However, the way you approach the whole process can either make or break your experience. Here are eight things you can do before the move to smooth out the process:
- Get your cat used to a carrier
- Let your cat explore boxes at his leisure
- Stick to a routine
- Talk to your vet about stress
- Feed her a small meal on moving day
- Keep him contained
- Let your cat determine how to explore your new place
- Set up a new – and permanent – place for the litterbox
Here’s a closer look at each.
Tip #1 for Moving With a Cat: Get Your Cat Used to a Carrier
As soon as you find out you’re moving, it’s time to start getting your cat accustomed to her carrier. She’ll be in there for a while on moving day, and by familiarizing her with it now, you’ll save her – and yourself – a lot of stress later. Here’s what you can do:
- Leave the carrier out with the door open at all times
- Put your cat’s favorite toy inside her carrier
- Feed her treats around the carrier, and certainly give her treats while she’s in it
Pro Tip: If your cat is really anxious about her carrier, put her food bowl next to it for a few weeks. When she becomes comfortable with being around the carrier, you can move the food bowl farther away.
Tip #2 for Moving With a Cat: Let Your Cat Explore Boxes at His Leisure
Most cats love playing in and around cardboard boxes, so leave a few open for him to explore. If your cat is uneasy about the boxes, realize that it could be due to their unfamiliar smell; in that case, you can use a catnip spray to help him get more comfortable.
Related: How to deal with dog anxiety after moving
Tip #3 for Moving With a Cat: Stick to a Routine
Meals, playtime and cuddle time should all stay the same as you ramp up to your move. You don’t want to disrupt your cat’s life any more than you have to, and because cats don’t tend to be big fans of changes, now isn’t the time to switch things up.
Tip #4 for Moving With a Cat: Talk to Your Vet About Stress
If your cat is anxious in general, you may want to talk to your vet about how you can manage her anxiety on moving day. Note that if you’re flying, your vet will probably be reluctant to prescribe medication to manage her stress – in most cases, it’s safer not to prescribe them when a pet will be on a plane.
Tip #5 for Moving With a Cat: Feed Her a Small Meal on Moving Day
You can reduce the chance of your cat getting an upset stomach due to stress by feeding her a small meal on moving day. Likewise, you’ll reduce the odds of her becoming carsick when you drive from your old home to your new one.
Related: The complete guide to moving with a dog
Tip #6 for Moving With a Cat: Keep Him Contained
Safety is paramount – and if you have a cat, you know that he needs to be contained all day on moving day. The front door will probably be wide open for most of the day, and you don’t want to risk him running away. You can clear out one room so it’s completely empty (no boxes or furniture) and lock him inside (but make sure you tell the movers they cannot open that door under any circumstances), or you can keep him in his carrier if it’s his “safe space.”
Pro Tip: Never, ever let your cat out of his carrier while you’re in the car. Doing so is dangerous for him – and for you.
Tip #7 for Moving With a Cat: Let Your Cat Determine How to Explore Your New Place
When you arrive at your new home, let your cat determine how quickly she explores the space. If your cat is very stressed, it may be better for her if you close off some rooms so she doesn’t become overwhelmed. The key is to set up a home base (see Tip #8) and spend plenty of time there together.
Tip #8 for Moving With a Cat: Set Up a Permanent Place for the Litterbox
Place your cat’s litterbox in its permanent home right away. That way, she’ll learn where to go and start becoming more comfortable in her new surroundings. If you’re introducing your cat to the new home only a few rooms at a time, consider keeping two litterboxes for a while – one in the first room she’s exploring and one in its permanent place.
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