While humans move several times during their lives (or if you’re like me, several times every few years), cats are content to find one home and stay there forever. However, while kitties are not fans of change, they’ll nevertheless stick with their owners when it’s time to move.
When Moving time comes around, it’s important to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible for everyone, including your cat.
Some pet parents make a few common mistakes along the way, leading to a cat that is stressed and nervous. As a result, kitty is freaking out, doesn’t eat, gets sick, or starts having behavior issues…or worse. All it takes is one small lapse in judgement, and Kitty escapes from its Carrier or new home.
To make sure you have a successful move with your cat, here are some tips.
Moving with a cat: Tips to make your move less stressful
1. Keep your home comfortable
Your cat will surely notice the many little changes that signal a pending move as boxes pile up and belongings disappear from shelves. Minimize the stress of the situation by leaving your cat’s belongings in place until the day of the move. Keep the litter box, food and water bowls, scratching post, cat bed, and other items where they belong so your feline friends don’t lose track of the things most important to them.
If possible, move packed boxes to the basement or garage until moving day. This placement can help ease some of their anxiety while keeping your home barrier-free.
2. Provide calming aids
You can find many calming aids on the market for cats to help you with your move. These products typically use pheromones to activate calming sensations in the cat’s brain. These products include plug-in diffusers, sprays, aromatherapy collars, wipes, treats, and oral drops. Try a few different options to see what your cat responds to best. If your cat begins to feel concerned as soon as you start the process of packing, you can give it calming products immediately.
3. Introduce the carrier early
Help your cat get comfortable with its carrier by introducing it as early as possible in the moving process. Put the carrier out with the door open and make it a regular part of your home, like a special hidey-hole that your cat can use for a peaceful escape. Make the carrier feel cozy and safe by placing a pillow inside. Place catnip or other treats in the carrier periodically so your cat will learn to crawl inside to look for special surprises. You might spray the carrier’s inside with a calming cat scent to enhance the ambiance.
4. Confine your cat while moving
Keep your cat confined to a single room while moving your boxes and furniture. Now is the time to move your cat’s belongings. Make sure this space has everything your cat could need during the day, including food and water, a comfy bed or pillow, a litter box, a scratching post, and some toys. Your cat may feel anxious during this time, so you might plug in a calming diffuser or provide some catnip to help ease anxiety.
If your cats have a favorite blanket or toy, now is also an excellent time to put the cats in their carrier. Some cats find comfort in their owner’s smells, so putting a slightly worn shirt or hoodie in their carrier can help ease their stress.
5. Transport your cat comfortably
Feed your cat a smaller meal than usual before you transport your feline to your new home. A small meal can help with car sickness and minimize cleanup if your cat gets sick en route. Keep your cat in a carrier throughout the move if you can tackle the move in one drive. Most cats are OK without access to a litter box for up to six hours.
If you need to stay in a hotel or rental property overnight en route to your new home, make sure you have a litter box, food, water, and comfort items like a familiar bed or toy. Look for small openings around any hotel room before setting your cat free. Things like a box spring with an open bottom can provide a hiding place that may be difficult to get your cat out of when needed.
6. Cat proof your new home
Once you arrive at your new home, it’s time to go through each room and cat-proof it. This cat-proofing includes covering up electrical cords and ensuring windows are secure. Make sure there aren’t any leftover pest control traps or cleaning products in sight that could harm them. Now is also an excellent time to check how well doors close. Open and close the front and back doors to see if they swing closed slowly, which could allow your cat time to escape. Check for small strings or debris around boxes or packing equipment that could harm your cat.
7. Create a safe space in your new home
Confine your cat in a single room in your new house for the first day or two. Place all your cat’s essential items here. Consider using a bedroom so your cat will still get plenty of attention and snuggles at night.
Introduce the rest of the home slowly. Keep all the doors closed while your cat explores open spaces. Open up new rooms one at a time. This gradual introduction will help to keep your cat from feeling overwhelmed. If you have multiple litter boxes, this approach is a great way to introduce all their locations by keeping one box in the cat’s area and placing others in permanent locations for the future.
8. Introduce your kitty to the rest of the house slowly
Once your kitty is ready, it’s time to let the cat slowly venture into its new home. Try to supervise your cat first, at least for a few days. Your cat is likely unsure of its surroundings, and it may take your kitty a few days to reach each room in your new apartment or home. Show the cat which rooms hold food and water bowls and the litter box.
9. Update identification
If you’ve microchipped your cat, update the associated information immediately after your move. Keep the microchip connected to your cell phone rather than a home phone so that someone can contact you anytime during your transition.
If your cat doesn’t have a microchip, now is a great time to consider getting one. Cats often try to escape and return to their former home after a relocation. Making sure your pet has proper identification is the best way to ensure you get your feline back. Giving your cat a collar with an identifying tag is another way to let people know the pet has a home.
However, you may not want to use this as the only form of ID as cats are very good at getting out of their collars. Cats should always wear breakaway collars that will open with significant force. This characteristic is a life-saving feature if the collar gets snagged on a fence or high tree branch.
10. Keep your cat indoors
Keep your cat indoors for at least two weeks after your move. This point is essential even if you have a cat that usually enjoys time outside. If you let your cat out too early, your cat may likely try to head home. After a few weeks inside, your cat should have bonded to its new space, making it more likely that your cat will recognize this as the spot to return to for dinner and family.
Of course, you’ll also want to check for any dangers that may be present outside of your new home. These hazards may include situations like a neighbor’s dog or a busy road. Determine if it’s safe to let your cat outside or not in your new home.
11. Minimize change
Cats typically adjust to their new surroundings quickly. However, changing items in the apartment or house can stress them out. If you plan on doing any renovations, close off any spaces with work. If you still have a lot of boxes left to unpack, it may be helpful to do it in short periods rather than making a mess in every room.
FAQs: Moving with a cat
Explore some frequently asked questions about moving with a cat:
When moving with a cat, you will likely have to pay a security deposit. This deposit accounts for any potential damage to the unit, such as scratches to the floors or other apartment surfaces. You may also be required to pay monthly pet rent. For a full breakdown of potential fees, you should always consult your lease and contact your property manager with any questions.
Yes. Always inform your potential landlord about any animals residing in your residence. This awareness ensures that you will not violate any terms of your lease. In many cases, failing to tell your landlord about a pet can result in fines and penalties and cost you more than a pet fee.
Additionally, if you need maintenance performed on your apartment, the property manager will be aware an animal is present and will ensure all doors are secured. These precautions will ensure harmful chemicals or materials get used when making repairs or renovations.
Not typically. Unlike dogs, you won’t face any specific breed restrictions for your cat. However, you should always check with your property manager to confirm any restrictions. While property managers don’t typically restrict cat breeds, there may be limits on the number of cats you can have in your rental.
Unfortunately, no. According to ADA guidelines, there is no such thing as a legal service cat. Service animals are animals trained to do work or provide services for persons with disabilities. A cat could be considered an emotional support animal or therapy animal. If you are interested in renting an apartment with an emotional support animal like a cat, you will need to check with your property manager to confirm the required paperwork.
Moving with a cat across state lines can be much more complex than moving between cities. Preparation is essential when moving a long distance with your cat. You’ll want to ensure you have ample, dedicated space for the carrier in your vehicle. Some cats can fly with you, depending on the airline policies. You can also consider pet moving services if you have a long distance.
With proper forethought, you can streamline your move and keep your cat comfortable throughout the process. A little preparation goes a long way when relocating with a pet. Consult with your veterinarian for more personalized recommendations on caring for your animal.
Editor’s Note: The original post was written by Emily Parker from Catological.com and has since been updated.
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