Moving house is not only stressful for us. This also applies to cats. We will show you how you can make the move to a new home as pleasant as possible for your cat with good preparation and a few precautions.
Is it bad for cats to move?
A cat would never move voluntarily! Why should it: it is at home here, knows every nook and cranny, feels comfortable and is familiar with all the scents. If it's an outdoor cat, it also has a territory, wants to walk it every day and knows good places to find mice. She would never give it up voluntarily. It must therefore be said that it can indeed be bad for many cats if they have to move. But there is rarely anything that can be done about it. So the only thing that helps is to be aware of the situation and make the move as relaxed as possible for the cat.
What do I need to think about when moving with my cat?
Every cat owner is certainly aware that cats are very sensitive. If the preparations for the move involve a lot of stress, the cat will sense this and may become increasingly nervous. If possible, preparations should be planned for the long term and start carefully. Set up a few boxes and put the first things in them. Let the cat sniff at them and don't scare it away, otherwise it could view the situation negatively right from the start.
It is also important that your cat's retreat areas such as the scratching post, bed and litter tray remain untouched in their respective places for as long as possible. This gives the cat a sense of security. The cat utensils are only put away at the very end, often on the day of the move. This also has the great advantage that they can be unpacked first in the new home and the big search in the moving truck does not begin.
How do you relocate a cat?
When the big day arrives, you should think about what the process will be like forthe cat . Do you perhaps have neighbors or friends nearby who know the cat and can temporarily take care of it? This would not only relieve your cat of stress on moving day, but also yourself. If this is not possible, or if you are worried that the cat will be just as stressed with other people, you should make some preparations in your old home. It would be best if you have already completely emptied one room the day before the move and put the cat and all its utensils there - i.e. scratching post, bed, bowls, litter tray and toys. When the movers arrive, the door should be locked or at least a sign such as "Attention cat - no trespassing!" should be displayed.
The cat won't be completely relaxed in its specially prepared room, but that's better than it running around between your legs or even escaping through the open door. Check on her from time to time, but only open the door again when you are sure that the front door is closed and the movers have finished their work. It should be clear that the cat does not have to ride in the back of the truck or in the front of the moving vehicle. The cat leaves the home with you, usually in a secure transport box that it should have been in for some time. If you do not yet have one, it would be a good idea to get one as early as possible before the move. Acclimatization (with the help of treats) can take several weeks, which is why training should begin in good time.
How do I get my cat used to its new home?
Just as in your former home, you should reserve an extra room for the cat in your new home, at least for the day of the move. Put all the cat's belongings in there and close the door. It would be very unfortunate to want to surprise and delight the cat with a completely new outfit. She is not interested in being rewarded for all the stress with a nicer scratching post, cat bed or toy, but it is much more important for her to have old, familiar things with her smell around her. If you are planning new equipment, for example due to new home furnishings or because some things are getting on in years, then postpone this for a few weeks. The aim now is to make the move as easy as possible for the cat.
Depending on how the work in the new home is progressing, the cat should be allowed to keep its retreat for a few more days. It is important to spend enough time with your cat, even if the stress is high. Most cats cope quite well with a move after a few days and settle in noticeably. If you have a very shy cat, it can be useful to have a calming effect on it both before and after the move.
Tip:
It would be to the cat's advantage if renovation work in the new home had already been completed when you moved in. This is because noise, paint and varnish fumes and residue on the floor from building rubble, paint splashes or sawdust could be harmful to cats.
When are outdoor cats allowed out again after moving house?
A lot can change for a cat when it moves house. For example, outdoor cats may have to give up going outside or indoor cats may be allowed to go outside. The most difficult situation is when outdoor access is suddenly canceled because the apartment does not allow access to the outside or the surroundings are too dangerous due to roads and car traffic. In this case, considerable problems must be expected. Some cats scream pathetically, become unclean or even aggressive. If you have a balcony, you can make it cat-safe and thus provide relaxation. If you are renting, don't forget to ask your landlord about a cat safety net.
If you are planning to let your cat outside again or for the first time, it makes sense to wait a few weeks. Only when you have the feeling that the cat has really arrived in its new home is it advisable to let it out for the first time.
Checklist: How can I make the move easier for my cat?
- Start a few weeks before your move by filling a few moving boxes.
- Be considerate of your cat. It should not experience the move negatively at an early stage.
- Avoid stress, as your mood could be transferred to the cat.
- On the day of the move, the cat should stay with friends or have the opportunity to retreat to a separate room.
- Transport the cat in a transport box in your car to the new home.
- Do not buy any new cat utensils. The familiar scent of your things has a calming effect on the cat
- The cat should have its own room in the new home while it is being moved in.
- If possible, renovation work should be completed before the cat moves in, as this can cause stress and danger.
- Wait at least two weeks, preferably four, before letting your cat outside. Only then will the acclimatization process be reasonably complete.