Moving is traumatic for cats. Cats are animals that attach to a territory. While dogs and humans are attached to other animals and people, cats' strongest attachment is to their place. Be empathetic to your cat's anxiety during a move. Moving the couch to the other side of the living room can induce stress in cats. When everything starts going into boxes, schedules are disrupted; and suddenly when the cat is put into a moving truck, stress levels hit a critical level. With some early planning, you can make moving less traumatic for your cats.
Instructions
1. Plan your packing so that your cats' carriers can be placed in the cab of the truck. Temperature is uncontrolled in the back of the truck, and there is the possibility of boxes, furniture or other items toppling over and injuring your cat if the carrier is placed in the back.
2. Place collars on your cats, which include identification tags, a month before the move. This will give them a chance to get accustomed to wearing collars.
3. Make plans a month in advance if you will have to stay at a hotel. Call ahead and ensure that the hotel will allow your pets.
4. Investigate at least a month in advance whether your travel will require you to have an interstate health certificate for your cats. If so, make an appointment with your veterinarian to get these documents.
5. Place a couple of cat pheromone diffusers in your house before you start packing. The diffuser emits a synthetic pheromone similar to the "happy" pheromone cats rub onto furniture, people and other animals with their faces. The diffusers are available from your veterinarian and at pet stores.
6. Set carriers out and open their doors a couple weeks before moving day. Place a blanket or towel in the bottom of the carrier to make a comfortable bed for the cat. Sprinkle a bit of catnip in the carrier to entice the cat to enter.
7. Allow the cats to investigate and sleep in the carriers until moving day. This will give them the chance to become accustomed to them and feel more secure while traveling.
8. Place your cats in a room with a closed door or in their carriers when you begin moving boxes and furniture from the house to the truck. You do not want the cat to run out the door and escape on moving day.
9. Pack food, water, litter box and litter in a bag you can easily find and that you can remove for overnight stays at hotels and as soon as you arrive at your new house.
10. Spray the inside of the carriers with cat pheromone spray about 30 minutes before placing the cats inside.
11. Place your cats in the carriers.
12. Load the carriers into the truck last. Place them in the cab of the truck. If it is cold or noisy, draping a sheet or towel over the carriers may make the cats feel more comfortable.
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