Moving a cat to a new house involves three basic aspects: pre-move preparations, the move itself and settling into the new home. All three sections below apply to a move with a resident pet. The third section is most important if you’re only trying to integrate a new cat into your existing household.
Preparation
· Allow your cat time to get used to his carrier. Leave it sitting out with the door open and a comfy bed inside. Occasionally leave a couple of cat treats in it so your cat can find them on his own. Start feeding your cat in the carrier. If your cat is reluctant to enter the carrier to eat, start by just placing his dish next to it. After a few days, put the dish just inside the carrier, right near the opening. Then, over a week or two, gradually move the dish toward the back of the carrier so your cat has to step a little further inside each day. Eventually, place the dish at the very back of the carrier to your cat must go all the way into it to eat.
· Put out your moving boxes a couple weeks before you need to start packing so your cat has time to get used to their presence. If your cat is nervous while you’re packing, he’ll probably be happier closed in a quiet room, away from the activity and noise. It’s also a good idea to confine your cat if you think he might try to hide in one of the boxes.
· Try to keep your cat’s daily routine as stable as possible. Stick closely to his regular schedule for feeding, play and attention. A feeder with a timer can be helpful to make sure your cat eats at the same time each day.
· If your cat is very skittish, nervous or easily stressed, speak to your vet about using anti-anxiety medication to make the moving process easier on him.
The Traumatic Moving Day
· Place the litter box, food and water, some toys, and the evil travel carrier (with your clothing still inside it) in an empty room the movers won’t be going in. Leave the carrier door open.
· The moment the movers arrive place the cats in the separate prepared room.
· When the racket is finished go in to reassure them BUT don’t let them out to see that all of their belongings have disappeared!
· Drive like a maniac to your new home to direct the movers in furniture placement and make some final preparations.
· Drive like a maniac back to the upset cats. Sit in your car and practice calm breathing- THEN go get your babies.
· Play some soothing classical music (on low volume) during the drive and keep up a steady flow of soft reassurances.
· Try to ignore the howling which some cats are adept at.
· Don’t attempt moving anything in this trip but the cats.
Settling in
· Keep your cat indoors for at least two weeks to get used to the new environment.
· Provide small frequent meals.
· Maintain routines adopted in your previous house to provide continuity and familiarity.
· Help your cat feel secure in his new home by spreading his scent throughout the house. Take a soft cotton cloth (or use lightweight cotton gloves) and rub your cat gently around the cheeks and head to collect the scent from glands around his face. Scrape this cloth or glove against the corners of doorways, walls and furniture at cat height to help your cat to become familiar with his territory as quickly as possible. Repeat this process daily until you start to see your cat rubbing against objects.
· Continue to use the synthetic feline facial pheromone diffuser and rotate the device throughout the house, one room at a time.
· Extra care should be taken for the permanently indoor cat as a new environment will be potentially unsettling.
For more information about Cleveland and the surrounding neighborhoods contact-
The Weiner Real Estate Group
Ellen Weiner and Erin Snyder Oakley
Keller Williams Realty Greater Cleveland
27950 Chagrin Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44122
Ellen
Cell: (216) 789-9368
Email: Ellen@NoPlaceLikeCleveland.com
Erin
Cell: (216) 410-8221
Email: Erin@NoPlaceLikeCleveland.com
Office: (216) 839-5500
Fax: (216) 453-2074
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