Meow! A Pet Owner’s Guide to Moving With a Cat

Jan 11, 2021 | Moving Tips

Moving an Indoor or Outdoor Cat to a New Home

When you’re busy planning a move, you’re likely thinking about how to safely pack up all your belongings, which movers to choose, and all the little things you need to get done before the big day.

However, if you’re moving with a cat, there are a few other things you need to consider. These tips will help reduce stress and anxiety and make the move more pleasant for everyone involved.

Making Packing Less Stressful

It’s a great idea to keep one room fully intact while you’re packing up the rest of your home. Keep your cat’s food and water dishes, toys, litter box, bed, and carrier in this room and allow it to act as the cat’s “safe room.”

Also, make sure you take breaks from packing to give your cat plenty of love and affection. This will help keep your furry friend as calm as possible.

Planning for Local vs. Long Distance Moves

If you’re moving locally, you might want to consider boarding your cat for a few days, then picking him up and bringing him to his new home. If this is not an option, to reduce your furry family member’s stress, keep him in a safe and quiet area away from the hustle and bustle.

For long-distance trips, make sure you take some time to learn how to travel safely with your cat. Make sure to keep him in his carrier, and safely secured in the car with you. Consider throwing a blanket over the carrier to release the anxiety that can come along with a long car ride.

Helping Your Cat Settle In

Meow! A Pet Owner's Guide to Moving With a Cat

It’s important to learn how to settle a cat after moving as well. Remember that your cat may feel anxious for weeks or even longer after you’ve moved in. Make sure to unpack his things right away and do your best to keep the routine he’s used to. This includes keeping feeding and play times the same.

Watch out for cat personality changes after moving. If your cat shows signs of aggression, meows aggressively, stops using its litter box or hides all the time, you might want to try using pheromone sprays. If it continues, you may need to find a new vet in your area and take your cat in for a check-up. 

Finally, avoid letting your cat outside for at least a month. If he hasn’t yet bonded with the new home, he might try to return to the old home. This can create a dangerous and scary situation for both you and your cat!

Update Their Information

Once settled in, update all of the cats immunizations, microchip, new address and phone with the new vet as well as their tags.

Moving with a Cat? We Can Help

At Charles Moving and Storage, we aim to make every move as easy and stress-free as possible. Whether you’re moving with a cat, dog, gerbil, or just your family, you can count on us to help you get everything where it needs to go safely.

Before you plan your move, take a look at our FAQs. Then, contact Charles Moving & Storage to schedule your move! We promise to make your move as smooth as possible. We also offer other services such as storage, boxes, supplies, and more.

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