May 09, 2009
Moving House with your cat
Posted by: des : Category: cats
I was asked by someone the other day what was the best way to move house with their cat ?
Here is some good information.
Cats
Let’s start with the pet that will take the most adjusting. Maybe there’s something to that phrase "scaredy cat"?
- One week before you move start giving your cat "Rescue Remedy" from the Bach flower Remedies. this will help to calm them down and help them to adjust. Continue with this for at least the first week after the move.
- Introduce your cat to their new home gradually, restricting it to one or two rooms at first. Place the litterbox, bed, scratching post, food and water in the room with it. This gives it the chance to become accustomed to the sounds and smells in your new home. It also gives them a room of their own to use later as a refuge or if they feel uncertain.
- Put their favorite bed, blanket, toys or any item that is familiar to them in the room. The smells of "home" will help them adjust to their new surroundings.
- Keep doors and windows closed and make sure there aren’t any crawl spaces or holes where they can escape to and that you can’t access.
- Let them explore on their own. If they decide to hide under the bed, let them be. They’ll eventually come out when they feel safe.
- If you plan on allowing your cat outside, make sure you keep it indoors for at least two weeks so that your home is familiar to them. After two weeks, take the cat outside with you and let it explore a bit. After ten minutes or so, take it back inside. Each day increase the time until the cat feels safe and knows the area. Also make sure that kitty is properly tagged with your new address and phone number.
- Most vets will recommend you keep cats indoors only. Outdoor cats are prone to injury, diseases, accidents, parasites and have a much shorter life span than indoor cats. Indoor cats can be very content and happy if you provide enough stimulation and fun.
