What to do when moving with a cat
Moving with pets can present some difficulties, but you can streamline the process with proper preparation and thoughtful planning. Understanding how to move with a cat will help you make the transition as easy as possible for your furry friends. Here are the steps to take when planning and executing your move with your cat.
- Keep your home comfortable
Your cat is sure to notice the many little changes that signal a pending move as boxes pile up and belongings disappear from shelves. Minimize the stress of the situation by leaving your cat’s belongings in place till the day of the move. Keep the litter box, food and water bowls, scratching post, cat bed, and other items where they belong so your feline friend doesn’t lose track of the things that are most important to them.
- Provide calming aids
You can find many calming aids on the market for cats that will help you throughout your move. These products typically use pheromones to activate calming sensations in the cat’s brain. These products come in the form of plug-in diffusers, sprays, aromatherapy collars, wipes, treats, and oral drops. Try a few different options to see what your cat responds to best. If your cat begins to feel concerned as soon as you start the process of packing, you can give it calming products right away.
- Introduce the carrier early
Help your cat get comfortable with their carrier by introducing it as early as possible in the moving process. Put the carrier out with the door open and make it a regular part of your home, like a special hidey-hole that your cat can use for a peaceful escape.
Make the carrier feel cozy and safe by placing a pillow inside. Place catnip or other treats in the carrier periodically so your cat will learn to crawl inside to look for special surprises. You might try spraying the inside of the carrier with a cat calming scent to enhance the ambiance inside. - Confine your cat while moving
Keep your cat confined to a single room while you’re actively moving out your boxes and furniture. This is the time to move your cat’s belongings. Make sure this space has everything your cat could need during the day, including food and water, a comfy bed or pillow, a litter box, a scratching post, and some toys. Your cat may feel anxious during this time, so you might plug in a calming diffuser or provide some catnip to help ease anxiety.
- Transport your cat comfortably
Feed your cat a smaller meal than usual before you transport them to your new home. This can help with car sickness and minimize cleanup if your cat gets sick en route. Keep your cat in a carrier throughout the move if you’re able to tackle it in one drive. Most cats are fine without access to a litter box for up to six hours.
If you need to stay somewhere overnight en route to your new home, make sure you have a litter box, food, water, and comfort items like a familiar bed or toy. Look for small openings around any hotel room before setting your cat free. Things like a box spring with an open bottom can provide a hiding place that may be difficult to get your cat out of. - Create a safe space in your new home
Confine your cat to a single room in your new house for the first day or two. Place all your cat’s essential items here. Consider using a bedroom so your cat will still get plenty of attention and snuggles at night.
Introduce the rest of the home slowly. Keep all the doors closed while your cat explores open spaces. Open up new rooms one at a time. This will help to keep your cat from feeling overwhelmed. If you have multiple litter boxes, this is a great way to introduce all their locations by keeping one box in the cat’s area and placing others in their permanent locations for the future. - Update identification
If your cat is microchipped, update the associated information as soon as possible after your move. Keep the microchip associated with your cell phone rather than a home phone so someone can contact you easily at any point during your transition.
If your cat doesn’t have a microchip, this is a great time to consider getting one. Cats often try to escape and head back to their former home after a relocation. Making sure your pet has proper identification is the best way to ensure that you get your feline back if they escape.
Giving your cat a collar with an identifying tag is another good way to let people know the pet has a home. However, you may not want to use this as the sole form of ID as cats are very good at getting out of their collars. Cats should always wear breakaway collars that will open with significant force. This is a life-saving feature if the collar gets snagged on a fence or high tree branch. - Keep your cat indoors
Keep your cat indoors at all times for at least two weeks after your move. This is important even if you have a cat that usually enjoys time outside. If you let your cat out too early, they’re likely to try to head home. After a few weeks inside, your cat should have bonded to their new space, which will make it more likely that they’ll recognize this as the spot to return to for dinner and family.
FAQ’S: Moving with a cat
Yes, you will likely have to a pay a security deposit when moving with a cat. This deposit is to account for any potential damage to the unit such as scratches to the floors or other apartment surfaces. You may also be required to pay a monthly pet rent. For a full breakdown of potential fees, you should always consult your lease and reach out to your landlord with any questions.
Yes. Always inform your potential landlord about any and all animals who will be residing in the residence. This ensures that you will not be in violation of any terms of your lease. Additionally, should you ever need maintenance performed on your apartment, the landlord will be aware that there is an animal present and will be sure to make sure all doors are secured and that no harmful chemicals or materials are used when making repairs or renovations.
Not typically. Unlike dogs, there typically won’t be any specific breed restrictions for your cat. However, you should always check with your landlord or property manager to confirm that there are no restriction you should be aware of.
Unfortunately, no. According to ADA guidelines, there is no such thing as a legal service cat. Service animals are defined as animals that are trained to do work or provide services for persons with disabilities. That being said, a cat could be considered an emotional support animal or therapy animal. If you are interested in renting an apartment with an emotional support animal such as a cat, you will need to check with your landlord to confirm the required paperwork needed to have this approved.
With proper forethought, you can streamline your move and keep your cat comfortable throughout the process. A little preparation goes a long way when you’re relocating with a pet. Consult with your vet as well for more personalized recommendations on caring for your animal.
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