HOW TO MINIMIZE YOUR CAT'S STRESS WHEN MOVING

Cats are territorial animals، and changes in their home can cause stress. Whether you're moving with your cat across the country or moving nearby with lots of renovations، cats really need to have some semblance of control over their surroundings. When that changes، they get stressed out.

Moving homes can be challenging for cats. They become quite attached to their environment. Each room and each piece of furniture is marked with their scent as a way to establish their territory. Just moving furniture around، redecorating، or adding new pieces can stress some cats because you're changing the territory she knows so well. This is even more stressful when you're changing environments entirely and can result in scratching، urine spraying، and other stress-related behaviors.

Prepare for the Move

No matter what type of move—whether across the country or just one rented space to another—there are basic steps you can take to make the whole thing less stressful for your cat.1

Try to maintain your cat's routine while you're packing and getting ready for the move. This includes keeping the same bedtime، playtime، and mealtime. Set out the moving boxes and the cat carrier weeks ahead، so they become a normal part of your cat's life.

Ensure your cat is microchipped and registered online in case the worst happens، and your kitty gets lost at some point.

Make Moving Day Less Stressful

On the day of the move، place your cat into an empty room and close the door. Leave food، bedding، a litter tray، and a piece of furniture under which he can hide. Place the cat carrier in the room with its door open. Make sure your movers know the door to the room must remain closed to prevent your pet from running away. (Sometimes taping a sign to the door helps everyone remember.) This not only keeps your pet safe، but it keeps him away from big boxes and strangers that can leave him feeling uneasy.