This International Cat Day, Compare My Move has put together a guide on what to do when moving house with a cat.
Cats are very territorial animals that develop a strong connection with their environment, so a house move can cause them a lot of distress. This is why it is important to know the exact steps that you should take when moving house with a cat.
One week before the move – Prepare your cat
Get your cat used to the carrier that it’ll be in for the journey by letting your cat play in it a week before the move. Leave a blanket and some toys in it also, or anything that will have a familiar smell to them. This will help ease the tension by gradually preparing your cat for the house move, rather than putting them straight in the cage on the day. Where possible, try to keep their routine the same to provide structure and familiarity.
You can also use pheromones to relax them, as you would with a dog when moving house. There will be a number of plug-in diffusers and sprays available that will keep your cat feeling calm and safe throughout the chaos of moving house.
A few days before – Update their microchip
If your cat is microchipped, it’s important that you change your address details on the central database. Make sure your cat has a collar with its name and your new address ready for after the move. Or, if you haven’t already, ask your vet to microchip your cat with your new address in the event your cat gets lost. Around the same time, you should also be registering with the new local vet.
The day before – Keep your cat in one room
One day or even a few days before the move, clear out a room in your house that will act as a temporary ‘cat safe room’. This room will hold the cat on moving day so that it doesn’t go on a walkabout or get stressed when the removal team are in. Don’t forget to put a note on the door so the removal company know that this room isn’t to be opened as it will disturb the cat.
Make sure you thoroughly clean this room and the other rooms within the house before your cat is introduced to them. Cats are highly territorial and if the previous owner also had pets, the clashing smells could add tension. Cleaning the surfaces will remove the risk of ‘scent competition’ allowing your cat to feel more at ease in the new property.
The day of the house move – Create familiar smells
Once settled in your new house, your cat may feel uneasy due to unfamiliar smells. Rub a cloth over your cat and then on a few items in your new house so your cat can start to feel more at home. Alternatively, don’t wash their toys or blankets and keep these with your cat until they’re more familiar with the new house. Additionally, you might want to consider putting your cat in a cattery for the duration of the move to save them from any unnecessary distress.
If you do keep your cat on the property during the removal, you should try to stick to their routine as much as possible throughout the day. Try to feed them at the usual time and spend a little one-on-one time with them between unloading. Many animals sense humans’ emotions, so as long as you remain calm, your cat will be more likely to as well.
