No animal particularly likes moving house, but cats are undoubtedly the pets that feel the worst about moving. They are very territorial and loyal to their customs, so a change as drastic as a new house can cause them a lot of stress and insecurity. This can lead to behavioral problems, attempts to escape, or even cause some illnesses.
But don’t despair, you can make moving with your pet a positive experience if you do it right. Good planning of the entire process, not neglecting the well-being of your feline and giving it more attention and affection than usual will be of great help. Let’s look at some tips that will reduce the disruption of moving home for your cat.
First of all, precautions must begin well before the day of the move itself. When you start packing your belongings, do it as little by little as possible, so that the animal gradually gets used to the changes. Do not make the mistake of believing that the faster it is, the less it will be noticed, since a contrast that is too abrupt will be more difficult for your pet to manage.
Let him play with a moving box and turn the process into something positive, giving him treats and playing with him. His belongings are the last thing you should pack. Likewise, you should gradually get him used to the carrier, putting food inside and letting him spend short periods of time inside until he associates it with something pleasant.
If you usually let your cat go outside, don’t do it during the days before the move. The stress of change could cause you to hide in a place you think is safe and take longer than usual to return.
On moving day itself, you have to create a kind of fortress for your cat, in order to isolate it from all the noise and movement. Lock him in a room with his blanket, toys, scratching post, food and drink. If possible, let him have the company of a person he trusts.
Once in the new home, it is best to lock it in a room where, again, all its reference objects are. When you notice that he feels comfortable inside this room, you can open the door and let him explore the rest of the house.
You can place pheromone diffusers to help him calm down and distribute his scratching posts and toys around the house, so that he detects their scent and feels calm. Be sure to give him lots of cuddles, play with him, and provide him with environmental enrichment. But if you notice him apathetic and unreceptive, give him his space and don’t overwhelm him.
Again, avoid letting him go outside until he is completely acclimatized to the new home, otherwise he may try to escape or return to the previous home. Be patient, in just a few weeks your kitten will feel at home.
