Moving With a Pet: How To Relocate With a Cat

​Moving homes is a big deal for cats – usually their home is a kind of a special place for them. Much of the cat’s feeling of security and ability to relax stems from and is reinforced by familiar sights, sounds and scents. They are very territorial species and form a strong bond with their environment. The already established order of their own territory is essential to their well-being and stress-free existence. For this reason cats find it very difficult to relocate and get used to the new place once moved.

To begin with, carry on with your removals preparation as you normally would. Book with a removals company well in advance, start packing four weeks prior to the move, starting from basements, attics and garages and moving on to other rooms. At first, your cat won’t even notice what is going on. When you move towards more important rooms like living room, bedroom, kitchen, do little every day and try not to scare your cat. If you need bulky furniture moved, or you think you’ll be making too much noise, you could probably restrict your cat’s access to this area. If you are in the kitchen, leave your cat in the living room.

During Relocations Do:

Get a cat carrier if you don’t have one yet. It is important to keep your cat in the carrier as soon as the removals truck arrives. Sometimes cats get scared when the removals men get in and start taking furniture out. This may cause the cat to become aggressive or worse to run away. The least you need to worry about is finding your cat on a moving day.

Bring all the cat’s toys, blankets, trays and bowls. It is important for your cat to have familiar items in the new home. It will be easier for her to feel safe when she is a surrounded with her own things.

Keep your cat inside for a week or two after the move. It’s good to allow your cat to explore her new territory, but if she likes to go outdoors, it is better to start walking her a week or two after. If you leave her unattended outside she may run away in an attempt to go back to your old place.

During Relocations Don’t:

– Don’t transport your cat in the removals truck. Your cat is safer with you, plus you can attend to her needs and try and comfort her if she is not calm. In the removals truck, although everything is carefully packed and loaded, box may get displaced and put your cat in danger.

– Don’t leave the cat inside a hot car on a warm and sunny day. Even though it is advisable to keep your cat confined and safe, if it is a hot day, the temperature in the car will become unbearable for your cat.

– Don’t freak out yourself! It’s important for you to feel calm, so your loved ones and pets to feel calm and safe too. Just like children mirror our emotions, pets feel us.

– Don’t forget your cat. It’s not common for people to forget their pets, but moving is stressful business and it may skip your mind to load the cat carrier. Before the last pieces furniture are removed your cat should be placed in the cat carrier and put safely in the car. If you are having way too much on your mind, delegate the responsibility for the cat to a different family member.

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