Moving with a cat makes the process slightly more complex.
You’ll need plenty of patience to keep your cat calm as you leave your old place and get used to the new one. A move with a cat is stressful for everyone because cats love familiarity. Air1 Moving & Storage has done countless feline moves over the years, so here are our tips on what to do when moving with a cat so that they stay calm and comfortable.
What To Do When Moving With A Cat: Preparation
What’s tough for cats is a sudden change of environment. Cats traumatized by moves often just haven’t had enough preparation first. Properly preparing yourself and your cat can help ensure the moving day isn’t a stressful mess.
Is Your Cat Microchipped?
If not, now’s the time to get it done. Cats let outside too soon in a new home can go missing or try to head back to the old place if you’re moving locally.
Keep Your Cat’s Carrier Out
The carrier should be established as a familiar and cozy place to hide before moving day. It’s a sneaky move, but then your cat will be traveling in his or her favorite napping spot. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Get Your Cat Used To Boxes
Likewise, boxes can be big and scary to cats if they appear all at once and are quickly followed by a total change of scenery. When you introduce them gradually, weeks before moving day, your cat will start to find them familiar. Cats even appreciate that you can make a cozy den and hide in boxes, making them feel safe rather than intimidated.
Maintain Their Usual Routine
Be sure to keep your cat’s feeding times the same as they would be normally, even when you have a lot to do. It’s easy to let feline mealtimes slide in the rush of the move. But as you may already know, cats, like humans, do get hangry!
Consider taking advantage of our packing and unpacking service so that you can devote more time to your cat and the rest of your family.
How Does Moving Affect A Cat?
There’s no way around it, cats don’t really appreciate moving. That’s because they’re territorial, and moving with a cat forces them to abandon their familiar kitty realm and get accustomed to an entirely new set of sights, sounds and smells.
However, when you plan well and choose a reliable moving company, you can lessen the anxiety for your cat.
How Long Does It Take A Cat To Adjust To Moving?
The first day after you move with a cat can be tough. Cats may not want to eat because of temporary anxiety or depression.
After that, cats can take around two weeks to get used to their new surroundings. Giving them patience, providing them with familiar items, and offering plenty of cuddles helps them feel at home.
Moving With A Cat In A Car
#1. Give your cat a light, early breakfast, no less than five hours before you set off. This will lessen the chances of them throwing up because of motion sickness or anxiety.
#2. The best way of moving with a cat in the car is inside the carrier, carefully secured.
What you shouldn’t do, even for cats traumatized by moves, is let him or her loose in the car. Your cat doesn’t know how important it is not to distract the driver and can easily seek refuge around your feet or on your lap. Also, if you had to brake suddenly or were in an accident, your cat could be thrown forward and seriously injured
Moving With A Cat Long Distance
How long will you be in the car for?
Your cat will need to use the restroom just like you! Pack a litter tray and plan how you can dispose of its contents en route.
If you feel it would benefit the cat, bring a leash so you can take your cat out for some exercise when you stop for a break.
Need To Move With A Cat By Airplane?
Good news: some domestic airlines will let you travel with your cat in the cabin. That’s as long as you put him or her in a carrier that fits under the seat. Check with the airline company for the dimensions your pet carrier has to be.
Nervous pet? Talk to your vet about whether you should give your cat something for anxiety during the flight.
Moving States With A Cat
Leaving California? Follow the steps above for moving with a cat in the car or long distance, depending on which applies to your situation.
Also, check if there are any particular requirements for the state you’re going to. If you’re moving with a cat to Hawaii or Texas, for example, you need proof of rabies vaccination.
Moving Internationally With A Cat
Read up on the laws for wherever you’re going, because a longer journey than necessary can lead to cats traumatized by moves.
If you plan on moving a cat to the UK for example, you’ll need a microchip, proof of rabies vaccination and a pet passport. If you don’t follow the rules, your cat can be put into quarantine for months.
Managing Typical Cat Behavior When Moving In
You can designate one quiet room as the cat’s room as soon as you arrive. It should be full of familiar items plus places to hide away if it all gets too much. When cats feel uncertain, it’s comforting to hide in a small, warm place.
How To Prevent Runaways
After you move with cats, they may try to get back to the old place. Cats are particularly skilled at orienting themselves geographically and can be very thrown off when they don’t have familiar reference points to guide them.
If you’re moving far away, this means they might get lost. So that this doesn’t happen, keep them inside for at least two weeks. Then, let them outside while they’re hungry. It’s a simple trick that ensures they won’t go far and in these short periods, can begin to familiarize themselves with the new environment.
Moving With A Cat? Call Air1 Moving & Storage For A Calm, Professional Move
At Air1 Moving & Storage, we’ll show you just what to do when moving with a cat, whether it’s a local, long distance, or international move.
Moving with a dog, too? There’s everything you need to know in our blog.
Our friendly team is waiting for your call at (866) 750-3386. Feel free to send us a message using our contact form or you can email us at [email protected].
