Moving is stressful enough for humans. Now imagine how much more stressful it would be if you didn’t understand what was happening.
Cats are creatures of habit with a complex set of emotions. Despite that, owners may struggle to pick up on their anxieties, which can make moving with cats a risky prospect.
Here’s how to make moving with cats a low-scratch affair.
Get Them Ready for the Carrier
There’s nothing like a furious flurry of scratches to remind you that cats don’t like being stuffed in a box.
However, cats love a box when they get in there under their own terms. This means that getting your cat into its carrier should be fine so long as you take time to acclimatize them.
Put something delicious in there along with some comfortable bedding, and don’t shut the door. Repeat this a few times, and your cat will eventually see the carrier as a comfortable, safe place to be. That will make things much easier on moving day. When you’ve booked a moving company like Inner City Moving & Storage Company, you don’t want to chase the cat around your house while they get to work.
Establish a New Home
To ensure a cat settles into a new home, it’s vital to make its new home feel like one as soon as possible.
That means you’ll need to set up places where your cat can feel safe and welcome. A nook containing their bedding and other comforts is ideal, preferably in a place that won’t see a lot of traffic straight away.
Keep Track of Their Movements
Cats are excellent navigators. That’s not a great thing when you’re moving with a cat to a new home.
When you relocate a cat, it will often try to find its way back “home”. Cats are territorial and their navigational instincts will urge them to go back the way they came. After all, the cat doesn’t understand the principles behind moving as humans do.
You’ll need to keep watch on your cat for a while after moving. You don’t need to haunt their every move, but do remain aware of your cat’s general location and how long they’ve been out of sight.
Monitor Signs of Stress
Animals experience stress just as humans do, and moving can introduce a lot of stressors to a cat’s life.
So watch out for signs of stress. A change in behavior is one of the bigger signs, but also watch out for physical signs like the bald patches that can result from overgrooming.
If you spot signs of stress, try to make your cat’s life more comfortable while you determine the cause. If in doubt, speak to your vet, as they’ll be able to assess your cat’s condition and give you advice.
Moving with Cats Made Easy
Cats make a show of being mysterious and aloof, but they’re still vulnerable creatures. With these tips, you can make sure that moving with cats goes purr-fectly every time.
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