Moving with a cat

I have to move. Are there any tips on how to make a move easier on a cat?

Re: Moving with a cat

yes!!!! Do you have anywhere you could leave the cat during the move process? If you can't bring them to someone's house on the day of the move, I suggest enclosing them in a separate room where things are cleared out and the movers will not be.

We did NOT plan well at all when we moved from our apartment and my poor little cats got SO scared that they dug a hole in the box spring of our bed and hid in there!! I felt SOOO bad!! We were so caught up in the process of moving that we didn't plan that part out well. In the future, I would bring them to my parents house!!

Re: Moving with a cat

Thx penny cat! I adopted her over a year ago and just let her have free range when I got her home. She was do freaked out. I want to do as much as I can to make the day of the move as pain free as possible. I found some tips online that match your suggestions. Fingers crossed for a painless transition for her.

Re: Moving with a cat

Ohhh I was imagining LITERALLY the moving process.. like the day of!!!

As far as transition goes... We had two of my cats when we first moved to my house and they went around exploring and had free rein. They were really fine, although coming from an apartment I think they were surprised at all the room they had. We started nicknaming one of them "upstairs kitty" because he literally only came down to eat and that's about it..... so I guess it was a tad overwhelming, but they did absolutely fine and I'd do it the same next time around!

(oh .. and "upstairs kitty" is now DOWNSTAIRS sleeping like a log on our couch )

Re: Moving with a cat

Some cats transition better than others. My first kitty (Sushi) does not do well. She was never the same after we moved.

Our second cat we rescued required a day or two of adjustment and he took over everything as if he always lived here.

I do agree that the best thing to do is put them in a secluded room away from all the ruckus. Many cats will hide until they get used to their surroundings. Show them where their litterbox, food and water is and let them be. They will come out in their own time.

Re: Moving with a cat

What we did was keep them in the spare bedroom with their beds, food and litter boxes. We'd let them out a little each day, but they always had that room to run into to feel safe. Each day we'd let them out for more time. After a week, they were fine. We moved the litter halfway to where we were eventually going to heave it for them (downstairs), left it there for a few days, then eventually moved it downstairs--we didn't want to make it too abrupt of a change. It was hard on all of us! good luck :)