Cat Owners! How To Move House And Keep Your Furry Friend Happy
When it comes to removals, there are general rules of thumb that apply to moving home with a pet. That being said, cats are particular tricky and their needs require extra, feline-specific tips. Some, such as Yorkshire’s own Maurice, can find it very stressful so it’s important that you make the journey as comfortable and familiar for your cat as possible.
Moving Out: Let Cat See As Little Activity As Possible
What we mean by this is keep them in one room when you move out, and put them in one room when you move in. Make sure everything is cleared from that room beforehand, and fill it only with the cat’s things: bowl, food, scratch post, cushions. Cats like familiar settings, so seeing strangers march around the house with boxes will only make them anxious.
Moving In: Give Them Space, But Keep Them Quarantined
Once everything is in the new house, it’s important that your cat has the freedom to get acquainted with the property. Let them sniff around, but for Pete’s sake don’t let them out! Keep your cat in the new house for at least a couple of weeks. Otherwise, you run the risk of them bolting and possibly even returning to your old home!
General Tips
Besides the big steps listed above, here are some extra precautions to take for when you move with your cat.
- Put a bell on their collar. Even if neither of you like it, do it for the first few weeks. It’ll make locating them much easier should they choose to hide in a dark corner.
- Inform your new and old neighbours. Cats are prone to wander, whether in next door’s garden or across town to your old home. Make sure that nearby residents are aware of him/her so that they can notify you should they go walkies.
- Give them cat-friendly treats. Many products – from catnip and chamomile bites to Dreamies – are designed to keep cats happy and placid. Seasoned cat owners will know that a rustle of the Dreamies bag will have them running towards you. Take note of this for when they get stubborn!
We hope these tips were helpful for when you move with your furry friend. If you have any suggestions of your own, we’d love to know! Get in touch and we’ll feature them on our page.
