For those that are about to move house, there are a million and one things to worry about. How will you cope with living in a new area? Can you afford the expense of moving? Will the house sale/purchase go through without any problems? However, for those with pets there can be the additional worry of how they will get used to their new surroundings. This is especially true for cat owners as cats are naturally one of life’s explorers. They won’t want to be shut in all the time, but will they know how to get home when they head out for their first few adventures? In this article we’ll tell you how to make it easier for your cat to adjust to his new home:
The Day of the Move
When it comes to the day of the move, put your cat in one room and shut the door on them. They won’t like it much but give them a bed and plenty to eat and drink and they will be okay. This will stop him roaming as the removal men come in and out of the property. When it comes to the actual move, put him in a pet box and transfer him as gently as possible making sure he is comfortable and safe. Let him out into one room of the new house and shut the door. Stay in there with him and let him explore the new sights and sounds of the new place. It will help if you have some of your furniture in there so that he can smell your familiar scent. When the removal men have left, make sure all the doors are shut and let him explore the whole house.
Make Him Feel At Home
It is advisable to keep your cat in the house for a couple of weeks while he gets used to the new pad. Make sure he is fed and watered regularly, and also provide him with a clean litter tray. Feed him at the usual times wherever possible so that you can maintain his familiar routine. If he is not micro-chipped already, this may be a good time to get it done – if he does go missing at least you will be able to track him down. He should also have a collar with your contact details on it.
Let Him Acclimatize Slowly
Let your cat out into the garden after a couple of weeks, but try and keep him in the garden if you can. Put some butter on his paws – this will help him be able to trace his own scents back home. Leave the door of the house open so that he can come in and out as he pleases, and if you have a cat flap make sure he knows how to use it.
Stop Him From Going to the Old Home
If you have moved to somewhere within the same neighborhood then it might be worth warning the new occupants that he may turn up. If it is a long distance move then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
