Written by Anneke Malan – Chairperson National Cat Action Taskforce (NCat), Spokesperson Cats of South Africa (CoSA)
So, you’ll be moving house with your cats and you’re feeling stressed? I’ve been there myself, more times than I care to remember. And, as if the entire mission of packing up and moving everything you own to a new location isn’t stressful enough, you’re also very worried about your two, three, seven beloved feline family members. Will you be able to relocate them safely? Will they adjust happily to the new home?
Fortunately, I can reassure you: if you follow the guidelines given here, you’ll have absolutely nothing to worry about, and moving house with your pet cats should run like clockwork!
Step 1: Prior to moving day
Prepare one room in the new house for your feline kids before the big move. Choose a room that you’ll be using often – perhaps your bedroom or your study. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Place some of your cats’ beds, blankets, toys, etc. in this room before moving day. As we know, smell is terribly important to our felines, so don’t wash any of these articles beforehand. This will ensure that they retain their familiar smell.
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Sprinkle powdered valerian root such as Happy Cat everywhere, and perhaps add a Feliway diffuser. Your vet should be able to supply you with this useful aid, or you could order it online.
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Place litter boxes (one for each cat) in spots away from where food dishes will be. If your cats aren’t used to using litter boxes, sprinkle some garden soil on top.
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Close all the windows securely and leave them closed for at least the first two weeks (see below). If this will make the room too hot, consider installing screens in front of any open windows.
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It’s also very important that you add some vertical interest, for example, a jungle gym.
You’re now well prepared to move house with your pet cats!
Step 2: Moving day
On the morning of the move, make sure that you confine your cats to a room in the old house (remember to check that windows are closed). Bathrooms are usually good, provided no one will be able to enter the room for the entire time that people will be moving furniture, boxes, etc. out of the house.
Once all your furniture, appliances, boats, bicycles and what-not have been moved to the new home, you can take your cats there. Use secure cat carriers in which you’ve sprinkled some more Happy Cat.
At the new house, place the carriers in the designated room, preferably near a bed or other piece of furniture the cats will be able to hide under if they feel anxious. Make sure that the door and all the windows are tightly closed and that no one (e.g. a toddler or a forgetful spouse) can accidentally open them. Now open the carriers, but allow the cats to emerge at their own pace.
Step 3: The first two weeks
Strictly confine the cats to their special room for at least the first week. Spend as much time with them as you possibly can, and reassure them continually. Don’t wash any of their blankets during this time, to preserve the familiar smells.
After the first week, allow them to start exploring the rest of the house for a few hours a day, making very sure that all windows and doors are securely locked. At night, return them to the primary room.
Step 4: After the first two weeks
At the end of the first two weeks, start introducing your cats to the outside world, an hour or so at a time, preferably singly and under supervision. It’s also a good idea to teach them which window to use to get into and out of the house by physically guiding them in and out of the window several times. When your pet is completely settled in, keep this window open at all times. Alternatively, have a pet door installed in one of your outside doors.
If you’d like to know more, I whole-heartedly recommend watching a video on moving house with your cats by the inimitable Jackson Galaxy. You’ll find it on YouTube: Moving with Cats made Easy!
And now you’ll be able to relax completely, at long last, and really begin enjoying your new home together with your beloved cats!
(First published at www.iamcat.blog.)
