Introducing Your Cat Into a New Home
Two weeks ago I shared my adventure when I moved my 4 crazy cats from a small one-bedroom apartment to a wonderful 3-bedroom home. My life is back to normal now, but looking back there were definitely some things I could have done to make things easier on my cats-and in turn make life a little saner for myself. To save others from the same mistakes, I've provided some helpful hints for a successful cat move.
Preparing for the Move
The first thing to remember when you move with your cats is that no matter what you do, it will cause anxiety for your cat. This is because having their territory and routine disrupted basically means disrupting their entire life. No matter how big or small it seems to you, it is astronomical for your cat. To keep things as normal as possible:
•Don't move the litter boxes until the day of the "big move".
•Try to maintain as normal of a schedule as possible
•Feed your cat at the usual time, and always have plenty of water available
•Try not to pack everything with the cat's scent on it, and leave some of the normal hiding places accessible.
When you're packing, remember that cats are very curious and may want to climb on top of stacked boxes. This could lead to injury if the cat knocks the boxes down, so don't stack them too high and make sure stacks are stable. Remember that your cat may choose to hide in, around, or behind things that are now exposed because of the move, such as ovens and refrigerators. Be careful when you begin to move these items.
If you have an outdoor cat, you may need to confine it indoors 2 or 3 days prior to the move. The commotion from the moving itself may frighten the cat and prevent it from returning home. Do not leave your cat and try to return for it later, or leave it altogether. If you cannot move with your cat, there are many places like the Humane Society and other groups that can help you rehome your pet.
Moving Day
On the day of the move, it is best that you place your cats in a secure room that people will not be continuously going in and out of. It should be as far away from the commotion as possible and quiet, with a litter box, food, water, and a hiding spot available. A kennel carrier with a blanket with your scent on it is acceptable.
Move your cats last if possible, after everything else has been taken care of. Place the cat in a carrier for safety in the vehicle. Do not put your cat in the back of the moving van-it is much quieter and more comfortable in the cab of the car. If you are moving a long distance, make sure you have plenty of water and a litter box available. Make stops every few hours and allow the cat out of the kennel (but not out of the vehicle) to drink, use the box and stretch. If your cat is likely to be extremely stressed, you may be able to get a mild sedative from your veterinarian. If the move is going to take more than a few days travel, be sure to call your hotel ahead of time to make sure they allow pets.
Introducing the Cat into the Home
Before you allow your cat into your new home, make sure to scan the entire place for potential dangers:
•Know if windows and doors do not have screens on them
•Check for rat or insect bait hiding in closets, pantries, attics, and behind furnaces or hot water heaters
•Seal off tight or very high hiding places
It is also a good idea to treat your new home for fleas before introducing your pets if the previous owner had pets. If you are going to paint or do construction, keep the home well ventilated and closed off from curious noses.
When you arrive at your new home, choose one room as the "safe room". This will be a quiet area away from noise and commotion where your cat can hide. Provide food, a litter box, water and a hiding place (again a cat carrier is a good start). Once safely in the room, open the door to the carrier, then leave the room and shut the door behind you. For several hours, leave your cats to come out and explore on their own time. Constantly coming in and out of the room to check on the cats could cause more stress and make the process longer. You may need to stay at this stage of introduction for a week or more, depending on the cat.
Gradually, you can start to allow your cat to explore other areas of the house. Allow access to only a few rooms at a time, being careful to notice any tight places the cat may want to hide but could get stuck. Just let the cat move around at its own pace, and go on establishing a new routine as much as possible. Try to keep the same feeding schedule you had before. Also spread items with the cats' scent, such as toys and blankets, throughout the house so the cat knows that it is allowed to be in certain areas.
Indoor vs Outdoor Cats
A move is the perfect time to make an outdoor cat indoors only, or to allow an indoor-only cat to become indoor-outdoor. This is because the routine has been so disrupted that a new one can be formed much more easily.
If you would like an outdoor cat, it is recommended that you still keep the cat indoors for at least 3 weeks after the move. This allows the cat to firmly establish and mark the new territory, which will help the cat return home. Before moving, make your neighbors aware that your outdoor cat may try to return to its previous territory. Ask them to keep an eye out for your cat and to call you if they see him. Also be aware of other cats in the new neighborhood that may have already marked your house/yard as their territory. If your cat and the neighbor cat are marking the same areas, there is a potential for fighting.
Before letting the cat out, check your yard carefully for potential hazards such as rat bait, plant fertilizer, raccoons, and busy streets. Do what you can to protect your cat from these potentially harmful things, and it is recommended that your cat is protected from fleas by applying Frontline or Advantage topical flea control.
To establish a routine, let your cat out at the same time every day. When it is time to let your cat out, start with short, supervised trips around the immediate area of the house and yard. You can put the cat on a harness at first, then work up to letting the cat off the leash while you walk with her as she explores. When you are confident that the cat has marked its territory and can find its way home, you can release it unsupervised per your new routine.
If you are making the transition from an outdoor to an indoor-only cat, it is best to do so if the cat has more space to roam inside that before. To keep your cat occupied and stimulated, schedule regular play sessions. Also keep in mind that your cat's diet may need to be adjusted to compensate for less activity (see your veterinarian).
Other Tips
•To help calm your cat, you can purchase plug-in pheromones such as Feliway to create a soothing atmosphere in the new home.
•If you plan on letting your cat outdoor, make sure s/he has proper identification with new contact information.
•If your cat has an implanted microchip, don't forget to contact the chip's manufacturer and re-register your cat at the new address. Also contact your vet and provide your new address just in case.
•After you've moved, try to find the best 24-hour veterinary center in your area in case of emergency. Keep their number and directions to the hospital available at all times. If your cat gets lost in the moving process, remember to contact emergency vet hospitals in your area, as many keep a list of people to call for both found and lost animals.
By following these steps, you can give yourself and your cats a chance to reduce much of the natural stress and anxiety that comes with moving.