Moving can be a difficult situation with which to deal for
all member of your family, including your cats. If you will be
moving in the near future there are a number of things that you
should consider in order to make sure that your cat’s health is
not compromised. Don’t forget to think about your furry friends
when moving!
First, when you are packing for the move, it might be a good
idea to confine your cat to a single room or to have a friend of
family member watch your cat for the day. Movers are often
caring very heavy items, like sofas and refrigerators, so they
shouldn’t have to watch where they step. Your curious kitty
could also climb into the moving van or boxes and get packed
away! If your cat is fully an indoor cat, the open doors while
you are loading your belongings are also a worry, since it is
easy for a pet to bolt out the door.
About a month before you move, have your cat wear his or her
collar full-time, even if you do not normally put the collar on
your cat. All of his or her information should be updated and
the tags should reflect your new address. When cats are
confused, they often run, and a lost cat in a new neighborhood
may not be able to find his or her way home very easily. If your
cat needs certain medication, this can be very dangerous. By
having his or her wear a collar at all times, at least until he
or she gets used to the new location, you can make sure that
your cat is returned home if lost.
During the move itself, don’t forget to make special
accommodations for your cat. A cat carrier that is well
ventilated is a necessity, and if the trip will be more than a
few hours long, you’ll also need to carry food, water, and
litter box supplied for your cat. Cats that are not used to
riding in cars may get sick, so talk to your vet about ways to
prevent this. You can also cover the carrier with blankets to
provide a bit of extra security for a stressed-out kitty when
you’re in heavy, loud traffic or construction areas.
Remember, that you’ll need to find a new vet in your new
neighborhood. This should be a top priority for you if you’re
moving, and you should talk to your current vet about having
your cat’s medical records transferred to a new location. If
your cat is acting strangely at all, do not hesitate to call
your vet to more tips about moving with your cat.