Moving with Your Cat

Moving with Your Cat

Your cat should be the last thing you “pack up,” and if you’re moving only across town, you should have the furniture in place at the new house before he arrives. If you’re moving farther, his carrier should be roomy, certainly tall enough that he can stand up and turn around; it will help him very much if you put something in with him that has a familiar smell – the towel from his basket, for example. If he’ll be in the car for several hours, a litterbox, food and water are essential – and yes, if he isn’t allowed in your hotel room, the litterbox should be in the car where he can use it in privacy; there’s no way you are going to get him on a leash and to do his “business” on command on a grassy parkway.

When he arrives at the new house, if you’re still arranging furniture, or if the movers are coming and going, put him in a quiet, safe room out of traffic and keep the door closed. Do check on him periodically (talking to and petting him each time), and make sure he has the necessities (litterbox, food, water, and a comfy place to sleep).

Ensure that there is no way he can get outside, even if for some reason you have allowed him to be an outside cat – he may very well try to “go home” if a door is open to him. Even after you’ve settled in, make sure he is perfectly comfortable and happy with the house, which may take several days at least, before you open the door for him.

Some cats are perfectly comfortable with exploring a whole new house all at once; others are going to head for the room where you are or a hiding place like a closet, and will venture out very slowly. (The first night at this house, my cats at the time stayed within inches of me and didn’t leave the bedroom till I got up the next morning; when Stanley and Galahad arrived here, they boldly left the bedroom within 15 minutes after their arrival; Buster spent 2 days hiding in the mattress and might still be there if I hadn’t shut myself in with him and talked to him for 2 hours.)

Generally speaking, once the furniture is in place so the smells are familiar, he’ll adjust quite quickly; but this is a stressful time for him (as it is for you), so you’ll want to be sure to pet him and talk to him frequently, to reinforce that this is a “good thing” and not some frightening punishment. You might even want to “tour” the house with him in your arms, so you can explain to him what’s happening.

Note that if your cat is easily stressed, your veterinarian can provide you with a mild tranquilizer to help him cope with the move.