Moving with Your Cat
Jun 28 '00
Moving day is stressful for people, but for a feline it can be a nightmare. Cats are territorial animals, and leaving a familiar environment for a new one is an experience which can cause stress some cats never recover from. There are, however, a few things I've found that drastically reduce the terror experienced by my cats during moves.
Before the move
1) Leave the cat carrier open and near the cat's usual hangout place so they can get used to it. Move their toys and their food and water dishes inside so that they have some positive association with the carrier itself and have incentive to wander in on a regular basis for a few days.
2) Check on your cat often while you're packing. They're going to know something unusual is going on and they could easily react by hiding. If they happen to pick a spot where they're actually going to be out of the way, like the bathroom or an empty closet, close the door to allow them their security, but continue to check on them a couple of times an hour and reassure them. This also helps you to make sure Kitty hasn't chosen a box as a hiding spot. Funny only if it doesn't actually happen.
3) Give your cat a meal eight hours before you plan on leaving, but nothing after that (unless directed by your veterinarian if tranquilizing your cat). Cats often get sick from travel so it's best done on an empty stomach.
During the move
1) Spend some time reassuring your cat that you're thinking of him before you secure him in the cat carrier. Put a favorite toy in the carrier along with an unwashed shirt that has your scent on it.
2) If you cat is being transported in your car, make sure he has adequate air flow. Cats are very sensitive to motion and cars can be quite upsetting, but good ventilation can decrease their distress. Keep the radio off and talk so your cat can hear your voice. For airline travel, it might be a good idea to ask your veterinarian for a tranquilizer, as airports and baggage compartments can be extremely traumatizing.
3) If it's a long car trip, stop every 60-90 minutes and spend a few minutes giving attention to your cat. Only open the cat carrier if there's no place for Kitty to run, for example, inside the closed passenger compartment of the car.
After the move
1) Put the cat carrier in a limited space. A walk-in closet or bathroom are ideal. Keep the lighting minimal, and be sure the litter box and food and water are available. Open the cat carrier and close the door. Talk to your cat and reassure him, then leave him alone. Check on Kitty every few hours, but otherwise keep his small space dark and undisturbed. Keep him in his limited space for two or three days.
2) After your cat has had two or three days to become acclimated, give him a bit more space, say, access to his previous space and a bedroom. Again try to disturb him as little as possible. Don't be surprised if under the bed is the first destination and he refuses to come out. Let him stay there, don't force him to explore.
3) After another couple of days have passed, continue the process by giving him access to more space. If he starts panicking, go right back to the beginning and let him hide out in his original small space until he starts feeling comfortable again. Never force your cat to visit areas of the house he's not used to.
4) If your cat is an outdoor cat, be absolutely sure he's become adjusted to the new environment before you let him outside, then accompany him for at least the first week. Until Kitty views your new home as his home, there's a good chance he'll run away to try to find his familiar home.
If you follow these steps, the likelihood of your cat recovering quickly from a change in environment is very high. The average adjustment time for my cats using these guidelines is two weeks, whereas otherwise I’ve seen cats still stressed months after a move.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
QueenLyssa
|
|
Member: Lyssa Jaraba
Location: Riverside, CA
Reviews written: 64
Trusted by: 19 members
About Me:
It's good to be queen.
|
|
|
© 1999-2010 Shopping.com, Inc.