While relocating to a new home can be stressful for most people, it often is extremely overwhelming for their pets as well. Cats, in particular, develop strong bonds with their environment. Hence, house moves are potentially stressful for them. As Safe Ship Moving Services recommends cat parents to plan ahead, to make sure that the transition from one home to another goes smoothly.
Safe Ship Moving Services underlines tips for moving home with cats
Moving to a new home would be an exciting, but also overwhelming experience for both humans and their pets. The sight of their human packing up their possessions can trigger confusion and anxiety in cats. Cats are creature of habit who thrive on routines. Hence, disruption to their routine caused by a move can be especially stressful. Making sure that their feline friend stays comfortable and calm during the transition is important for ensuring their well-being.
In order to ease the cat’s anxiety and make the move as smooth possible, it would be prudent to follow these tips:
- Prepare a safe space: One must set up a designated quiet room in their home, where the cat can retreat from the chaos and stress of the moving day. This space must be stocked with their essentials like fresh water, food, a scratching post, a litter box, and a few of their favourite toys. This space must be free from the noise and disruption caused by the packing and loading of goods.
- Keep their routine: To reduce the cat’s stress, it is better to maintain their daily routine as consistently as possible. Pet owners should try their best to stick to the regular feeding times and play times. This routine would provide cats with a sense of comfort, and can be immensely reassuring during a time of change.
- Introduce the carrier early: The carrier should be placed in a common area with toys, treats and bedding inside well before the moving day. This will help the cat to associate the carrier with something positive, and encourage them to explore it on their own terms. Very often cats link carriers with vet visits. Hence, making the carrier a part of their everyday environment with positive associations would significantly help ease their stress when it is time to use it on moving day.
- Update their microchip and ID tags: It is vital to see to it that the microchip information and ID tags of the cat are updated with the new contact details and address.
Upon arriving at a new residence, it is advisable to initially keep the cat confined to a single room where its safe space has been thoughtfully prepared. As per Safe Ship Moving Services, doing so enables your pet to acclimate to the unfamiliar surroundings in a calm and controlled setting. Having familiar items in this designated room, like bed, litter box, toys, and food bowl, can provide a sense of comfort and security during the transition. Over the following days or weeks, the door to other parts of the home can be opened gradually to the cat, allowing them to explore the new environment at its own pace.
