I am so scared that they will try to run away.... Please help. Need advice on how to make the move as easy as possible for them to adjust to our new home.Advice about moving my cats to my new house?
You know only too well how stressful moving house can be - and it's almost as bad for your cat!
Cats are notoriously suspicious of change within their environment - even a newly decorated room, replacement sofa or Christmas tree can cause them unease. So imagine how a house move might affect your feline friend.
But, with some forethought and care and advice from FAB, the UK's leading authority on the health of cats, you can avoid many of the problems and ease the pressure, making your move less stressful for you both.
If your cat is particularly sensitive and it is convenient for you, you may choose to board him at a reputable cattery for a few days over the moving period but this may, of course, be impractical if you are moving from one end of the country to the other.
Before you move
Cats should always be transported in a safe container. Leave the carrier around for a few days or even weeks before your move, so that the cat becomes used to the sight and smell of it.
Moving day
Early in the morning, put the cat in one room with all the doors and windows shut. This will keep him away from the upheaval of packing boxes and furniture moving. It will also save you hours of searching for him when it's time to leave. Provide a litter tray, water and food (but don't feed him just before travelling in case he is ill on the journey). Put a notice on the door to remind family members and the removers that the door should remain shut.
When it's time to go, put your cat in his carrier with a familiar blanket and transport him, properly secured with a seat belt, in the car - either wedged securely in the back or in the well behind the seats. Don't put him in the removal van or the boot of the car.
You may be facing a long journey so remember to offer him water and the use of a litter tray at some point, though he may not be interested in either. When you take a break remember to leave a window open but never leave a cat in a parked car on a hot day as the inside temperature can soar to dangerous heights very quickly. The use of an artificial pheromone such as Feliway (available from your vet) may be useful if your cat is not a good traveller.
On arrival at your new home
Leave the cat in the carrier until you have one room set up to accommodate him. This should contain water, food and a litter tray. When the room is ready (all doors and windows shut and fireplaces blocked) let him out of the carrier. Make sure that you leave him with some familiar bedding and if it is a cold day, a hot water bottle wrapped in a blanket. This should make him feel more secure.
When the removal van has left, the exterior doors are firmly shut and you are ready to collapse in a heap, let your cat out to explore a little. It may be wise to confine this initial exploration to just a couple of rooms so that he is not totally overwhelmed.
Settling in
Some cats walk into a new home, curl up in a favourite chair and never look back. Others take time to adjust to their surroundings but you can help them to settle in.
Cats will rub their heads and bodies on furniture, walls, doors etc to lay down scent from glands which are situated mostly on the head but also over the body. Rubbing their own scent around the house increases their feeling of security. You can help this process by rubbing a soft cotton cloth gently around the cat's face to pick up its personal scent profile. Then dab this, at cat height, around the room(s) where he will initially be exploring. You can repeat this daily and widen the areas where you impose his scent, so before he ventures outside he should feel confident within his own home.
Use food and a regular routine to help during the adjustment period. Small frequent meals will give you more contact initially and help to reassure your cat that all is well. He will relax because he will know what is going to happen and when.
An indoor cat may find settling into a new home more difficult than one which spends time outside, because he will be less used to environmental changes. Such a cat should be introduced to his new home slowly - one room at a time and with plenty of reassurance.
Exploring the neighbourhood
Keep your cat inside for the first two or three weeks to give him time to learn the geography of his new home and to become accustomed to the smells. When you decide the time is right to let him out, withhold food for about 12 hours so he is hungry. If he already associates a particular sound (tapping a bowl or rattling a bag of biscuits) with food so much the better. Choose a quiet time to let him out in the garden, firstly ensuring that there are no other cats about. Go out with him and let him explore for a little while before calling him in for food. Repeat the exercise several times, allowing him to go a little further and for a while longer each time. Cats used to the outdoors generally cope well with a new territory to explore. Timid cats may take a little longer and should beAdvice about moving my cats to my new house?
Moving pets to new location is not an easy task, even if you move just few blocks
away. The following topics will help you move your pets and plants safely to their new
home:
Preparing your pet for the move
When preparing your pet for the move be aware of the following issues:
Veterinarian: Don't forget to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Your pet should
have a check-up before moving. Be sure to attain your pet's veterinary records so that they
can be forwarded to your new veterinarian. Make sure you carry copies of the records with
you during the move.
Travel Carrier: If you plan to move your pet, you may need to purchase a pet travel carrier for
the trip. The carrier should be large enough for the pet to stand, turn around and lie down in.
The carrier should have ample ventilation, a good bottom lining, and a secure door closing.
ID Tag: When moving your dog or cat make sure it is wearing an ID tag bearing its name, your
name and new address, and a phone number to call in case of emergency.
Fish: If you plan to move your fish visit your local aquarium or pet shop and ask for special fish
containers. They should be able to offer suggestions on how to transport different types of fish
and other aquatic animals.
Restrictions on pets: Certain localities may have strict requirements or restrictions regarding
pet ownership. Once you've made the decision to move to a new home, you will need to do
some research. Some communities have local regulations regarding number and types of pet's
allowed, leash laws, etc., and you may need permits or registrations. Call the city or town hall
and ask for the bureau of licenses.
Pet Resume: You might need to prepare a pet resume for prospective landlords, if your new
home will be rented. Ask your veterinarian for a referral letter.
Moving Day: Keep your pet calm and away from all the activity on moving day by arranging
with a friend to watch him at their house. If you plan to keep you pet close to you prepare a
room for your pet to stay at during the move. Clear a room of all furniture and other belongings
and close your pet in with food, water and a favorite toy or two. Your pet still might not be
happy, but you'll know where it is, and that it's safe.
Driving with your pet
If you move your pets by car your dog or cat may find car travel extremely distressing. Make
sure to stop frequently to allow your pet to exercise and relieve itself. There are several things
you should plan on taking with you on moving day:
An old bed sheet or blanket will protect your car upholstery.
A favorite toy or two, and an old T-shirt or rag with your scent on it.
Two plastic containers - one should have fresh water, the other should have food and treats.
Medications that your pet may need.
A leash for when you make rest stops with your pet.
Even if your pet doesn't typically get car sick, you should bring paper towels, a sponge, and
plenty of plastic bags.
Cats: Cats should always be kept in a carrier during auto travel. Since cats don't usually
adjust to auto travel the way dogs do, it might be a good idea to have your vet prescribe a mild
tranquilizer.
Hotels: Long distance moves may require an overnight stop. Remember to call hotels in
advance to make sure that they will allow your pet to stay in the hotel.
Parking: If you move your pet by car, never leave him unattended in a parked car. This is
especially true during the hot summer months, when the temperature in your car can rise to
120 degrees.
Small Pets: Smaller animals, such as hamsters and birds, can easily be transported by car
with you. Make sure there is plenty of food and water and cover the cage with a cloth to keep
them calm.
State Inspections: If moving your pet by car, be aware that some states conduct border
inspections or random inspections by highway patrol officers. Just to be on the safe side,
check the regulations of every state you plan to pass through.
I agree with almost everyone, except possibly knocking them out completely as there's always a risk with general anaesthetic.
Bathroom, or their own room space, ideal. Make it your first priority . Load of toys, fresh food, water, their own bedding and some of your own furniture from the old house. Leave them a sweater or something else that you have worn, it will reassure them whilst you're dashing about doing everything else. Remove the carrier you brought them over in, though, they'll associate this with entrapment.
Put the radio/tv on for them. The low sound will mask some of the more disturbing sounds of a house move. Talk constantly when you're in the house, they sound of Mum's/Dad's reassuring voice will let them know they haven't been abandoned.
Two weeks indoors is the minimum. Once you've finished unpacking for the day, let them out into the rest of the house to explore with your family. Pop them back in their ';safe'; room if they seem panicky, or if visitors come (who might not be quite so careful about closing doors behind them!)
I'm assuming your cats are normally in and out cats which is why you are concerned about them running away.
I invested in a small harness and lead. After the two weeks is up, and provided you are content that the local indiginous fox/wolf/bear/raccoon population are ready for them, take them out one at a time on the lead. Don't pull them, it's not at all like walking a dog. Just a few metres to begin around your own ground, then the other side of the gate, the street, as far as they want to go. I take a fluffy jacket or big towel with me in case they spook and need to be picked up.
Once you're happy they know their way back (and you will know, because they will turn towards home if they get spooked on the lead), you can give them supervised, unleashed walks. After that, it's up to them. Make sure they get big cuddles and treats whenever they come back alone, this will reinforce the ';nice to be here'; feeling for them.
Good luck with the move, what a wonderful time of year to be starting a new life.
Put them in a cat carrier, move them to the house then place the carrier in a closed room in the new house, wait about an hour then open the door and leave them in the closed room with litter , food and water over night..make sure they have places to hide. the next day open the door a little so they can come out when they are ready but return to their safe zone when they want to. DO NOT let them outside for at least 2 weeks if they are use to going out.
Like twikl said, just leave them in the bathroom while you are moving your stuff, after you get everything moved in let them rome, but be sure to make sure they get used to the inside before allowing them to go out, and just in case make sure you have them some new pet id's made with your new address and number so that way if they do get away, someone can find them and get them back to you! hope you and you kitties like the new place%26lt;33
Leave them inside for a couple of weeks and then let them play outside. Let them out sooner if they are crying a lot because that usually means they are ready to play outside. Don't let them play outside if they are crying the first day because that just means they miss their old home and want to run away. As weird as this may sound to you, cats have good judgment. If you are still paranoid, supervise them. Once my girl cat Snickles ran away just before the move for two weeks because of the movers scaring her. If that happens, cats usually come back; they can trace back 17 miles! But if you are moving long distance I would be more careful. I wouldn't worry that much because usually cats are cooperative. (Snickles was 2 then, she is 9 now) The second move Snickles didn't run away.
Is everything in the house, or are you waiting for the movers to bring the stuff? If its the latter, then I suggest you put them in a bathroom, with food, water, toys, and something that smells of you. When the movers are gone, open the door and let them out. I just did this a few weeks ago. my husband and I set up a cat area and when they came home (we had them boarded at a vet to make things less stressful on them), we showed them where their food and litter was and they were free to explore. They adjusted fine and now love the new place. Cats are amazing creatures, they adjust rather easily...or well, mined do at least! :)
We moved an outside cat half way across the country. When we got to the 'new' house we let her have the basement until we were settled in. Then she got the run of the house for a one month quarantine period (no outdoor activities). When we finally did let her out she was on a leash until we familiarized her with the neighbourhood. She never failed to come home after that.
About the best thing you can do for a cat in a strange house is just leave it alone. Cats are creatures of habit and require time to adjust to their new surroundings. When our cat went to the basement she disappeared for 10 days. We knew she was there because the food dish went down and the poop dish filled up. And we knew she was exploring the house because we could hear her at night stealing the dogs food out of the kitchen. After 10 days we came downstairs and found her sleeping with the dog. She was 'home'.
Honestly, I have moved my two cats a couple of times and I really didn't do anything special. While moving out of the old place I locked them in a room so they wouldn't run out (or under anything that I couldn't get them out from when I went to put them in their carriers). The cats were the last thing to go over to the new space. I showed them their food, their litter box and my room. They eventually settled in.
There is nothing that you can really do that will make cats enjoy a move. You just pick them up and put them in their carrier. Cats will get over it.
I've been there three times! And I had to move to different cities twice. My cat was pretty good during all the moves. But a few steps will make your life and the cat's life a little easier:
I noticed that she preferred to be quietly confined in a smaller and darker place. I left her in her box carrier with a soft cloth with the old house smell (our own old blanket) and covered the box with a little towel during the whole moving. So she would not be distressed by all the new sounds and movement.
The first time we moved I made the mistake of letting her out to explore and she was so scared that she ended up behind the fridge and it was a nightmare to get her out. The second time we decided to set her bed, food, water and litter in the smallest and quieter bathroom in the house. She was way happier!
Honestly, it took her a whole month to adjust to the new environment. Don't let her outside! They need to feel safe and being indoors is best! After a couple months you can try in a leash. Good luck and hope you have a good move!
I've moved many times with my cats. What I've done.... is I've made the bathroom theirs. Put their stuff in there and a blanket with my scent on it. Then I lock them in there.... so I can move into the new place. All the commotion is scary to them.
But.... when it's safe to let them out, the usually just walk around (or crawl) exploring out the new place. As soon as I get my bed all set up... if they get scared that's where they go. But they usually adjust fairly quickly.
Just be patient with them if they seem very scared.
Running away? don't let them outside.
For the actual move, it would be best to use pet carriers. Take them to the new house and leave them safely locked in a room with their favourite toys, bed and food.
Once the move is sorted, leave them in the house for about a week.
Once they seem settled open your back door and go out with them. Let them explore their new garden knowing that you are there and that they can run back in if they get spooked.
When they're ready they will venture further but don't worry, they will be cautious and shouldn't go any further then they can handle.
I once moved my cat to our new home after 12 years of the same house. We put butter on her paws (someone told us it would work) before we opened the door for her but she licked it all off! We stayed with her and she only went as far as 3 slabs down the path before coming in. Bit by bit she went further and is now confident outside.
Good luck %26amp; don't worry!
It might be best to make sure your cats are mico chipped so if they did get lost, you're more likely to get them back again.
The cats need to stay indoors. You don't know what dangers are around the new place. You may have neighbors who aren't fond of cats or there may be predators in the area. Set them up in a room of their own for a few days and gradually introduce them to the new house. If you want to let them out, build an enclosure they can hang out in.
I had the same problem,
After me and my parents moved to a new house we quickly
put our cat's littler box, food, water (and so on..)
in my new room,then we didn't let him out of my room for one day
and the next day our cat got used to the new house :)
so, i'd suggest that you do the same
I moved with my cat a few months ago and we moved her into our new place last. That way she can see all of your stuff and be familiar with the furniture that was in your old place. Throw out the toys all around so that they can see the toys and know it's their place too.
You first need to go to your local veterinarian and sedate your cats. Then you can transport their unconscious bodies to your new house worry free. Hypnosis may also be effective.
Hope this Helps!
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