Furniture shredded with scratches? Packing boxes becoming public enemies? Litter tray completely overlooked?
You’ve gotta be kitten me.
We all know moving house is a crazy time. You need to book a van, pack up all your things, come to terms that it’s time to throw out those old CDs…
If it’s this stressful for you, imagine how fear-inducing it can be for your cat.
So to keep your cat feeling paw-sitive, here’s how to pack them up and move – with care and consideration.
Watch the worry-whiskers
Before you begin your move, remind yourself of the tell tail signs of a stressed cat.
Maybe it’s toileting outside the litter tray, taking a paw to your furniture – or just generally seeming hiss-ed off. Whatever the behaviour is, it could be claws for concern that your feline is fretting.
So how can you prevent this? Well, cats are creatures of habit, so the aim is to gradually create a new – and safe – normal.
Weeks before your moving day, bring in the packing boxes. Give them time to get used to a cat carrier. And – for the love of kibble – pack your cat’s belongings last.
But to limit the number of casualties in the meantime, Aristopet’s No Scratch Spray for Cats is a smart way to protect your home from those stress-induced scrapes.
Meow-ving out
‘But what about moving day? Wouldn’t that be even more stressful?’
Yes. Yes, it is.
For that reason, place your cat in their bedroom – sorry, we mean, your bedroom – with all of their favourite things, before the moving cavalry arrive.
Catnets' Cat Tunnel is the perfect addition to this temporary cat cave.
With ventilation on all sides plus a top and front door that you can open or close, it’s an ideal safe place for your cat to hide. You can even take it on-the-go!
Next, turn on the radio or TV – we’ve heard great things about Downton Tabby – to drown out any banging and clanging throughout the day.
Lock the door, close the windows and put a sign on the door: Cat keeping calm. Do not disturb. That way, anyone helping you move knows to keep their paws off that room.
Once all your other belongings have been moved out, place your cat in a carrier and whisker them to the car before you remove the bedroom’s contents.
Transporting your furry traveller – safely
Is your cat particularly anxious? You might want to approach a vet about a mild sedative for the journey.
And if you’re travelling a long distance, be sure to wait at least three hours after mealtime before the journey to avoid car sickness.
You’ll need to make sure your cat stays in a cat carrier for the entire trip. After all, you don’t want to risk them running off or becoming hazardous to your driving.
But you can curate the cosiest carriers with just a few easy tricks:
- Place the carrier in a car seat and secure it with a seat belt to limit any sliding.
- Lay your cat’s favourite blanket down on the bottom of the carrier to increase familiarity.
- NEVER leave your cat in the car by itself.
Making your kitty comfy in your new home
Once you’ve moved in, your cat should only explore the rest of your home one room at a time.
The first room on the agenda should be one with familiar objects: a litter box, food and water.
Don’t worry if your cat isn’t overly adventurous or curious in its new surroundings. And if they’re hesitant to venture outside their favourite room for a few days – or even hide in it – that’s completely normal too.
If this is the case with your furry friend, hide some dry food around the house to encourage them to explore.
Checking out their new backyard is another daunting first for your cat, so be sure to follow them outside the first few times to let them know they’re safe.
And, if your new place doesn’t already feature one, consider installing a Staywell’s 700 Series Original 2 Way Pet Door to give your cat the freedom to come and go safely – and relieve yourself from doorman duties!
Skirt the straying
Cats have impeccable direction. And when you move them to a new area it’s very common for them to try and find their way back to familiar territory.
But, keep the butter away from the paws, people.
The best way to avoid a runaway? Keep your cat indoors at your new home for at least two weeks – but ideally a month – to get them attached to their new environment.
In the meantime? Cat-proof, cat-proof, cat-proof!
Block all potential escape routes: windows, doors, fire escapes. And, to sweeten the deal, make sure your little friend can enjoy some cosy couch time.
When it’s finally time to introduce them to the outside world, do so in 10-minute (supervised) intervals. Start in your backyard if you have one – and then work up from there. After a week, your cat will be ready to adventure solo!
To cover all your bases, make sure:
- Your cat’s ID collar is up to date
- Your cat has been microchipped
- You’ve alerted the Australian Animal Registry of your new address
This way, even if your cat does manage to slip away, they’ll come right back in no time!
Want to make sure your cat stays chilled throughout your moving process? PetPost’s Cat Stress & Anxiety Relief range will keep your feline friend cool, calm and collected.