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Moving
house is one of the most stressful situations people can go through,
so just imagine how hard it can be on your cat. Territorial by
nature, the cat marks her environment by rubbing her scent over
objects in her home. This "scenting" lets other cats know
that it is her territory and defines your cats boundaries. When a
cat is taken from her known environment and deposited in a strange
place, the experience can be quite terrifying for her, especially if
the new home has cat scents from the previous owner. Be sure to
thoroughly clean the room where your cat will be staying. It is up
to you to make the transition to the new house as easy as possible
on your cat. |
The
first thing to remember is that cats can be upset by anything that
is out of place in their environment. Packing boxes & moving
furniture can confuse & frighten the cat. When packing, leave
one room until last, for the cat to feel at home in. Make sure that
removalists are aware she is locked in the room so they know not to
open the door & accidentally let her out. To be extra sure,
stick a note on the door.
During
transit, make sure your cat is safely locked in a cat carrier, and
wrap a seat belt around the carrier. If your cat is an especially
nervous traveller, it may be worth speaking to your vet prior to
your move about the possibility of giving your cat a mild sedative.
Alternatively, you could ask your vet about Rescue Remedy.
When you
arrive in the new home, she should be confined to one room until
unpacking is completed. Feliway which is a synthetic pheromone can
be sprayed in the new environment. This may be reassuring for your
cat. Make sure there is fresh food, water, a litter tray & your
cat's favourite blanket or bed in the room, and ensure the windows
are locked to prevent accidental escapes. If you have more than one
cat, they should be placed in a room together so they can comfort
each other. You may want to leave a closet door open or the cat
carrier in the room so she can have a place to hide. This will help
your cat feel less threatened. Don't let your cat out of the room
until the removalists have finished & left.
Unless
your cat is exceptionally mellow, it will take quite a while until
she feels comfortable enough to venture out into other rooms of her
new home. This
may take several days in fact. Talk to your cat and pet her often
during this time of adjustment. Try to stick to as much of a routine
as you possibly can. Leave food & water close by, although she
may not want to eat or drink anything for the first day.
As
a safety measure, before you move make sure your cat has appropriate
identification. This can be in the form of a permanent microchip or
a collar with your home or mobile phone number on it. Obviously,
notify the body in which the microchip data is stored of your new
address & phone number. They should the worst happen and your
cat does manage to escape, it will be easier for you both to be
reunited.
Eventually
your cat will want to explore the new environment. Let her do this
at her leisure. If your cat will be going outdoors at the new home,
check first to make sure there are no dogs nearby. It is best to
keep your cat indoors for the first few weeks. Let her really get to
know her new home before letting her explore outside. Check with
your local council in regards to their laws. May councils in
Australia now have cat curfews.
A
little forethought and planning can make a big difference in how
easily your cat will adjust to her new home.
