Moving House With A Cat: 5 Important Safety Tips To Remember During a Move
Pets who thrive on regular routines will be sensitive to any alterations in their schedules or surroundings, so the experience of moving to a new home can understandably make them anxious.
If you currently planning on moving house with a cat, it’s important to keep your pet comfortable and safe during all stages of the moving process.
In this fun collaboration between Jessica Brody of Our Best Friends and Cat Care Solutions, we’ll be discussing some tips you won’t want to forget in all the moving madness!
In case you missed Jessica’s last post, be sure and read, “5 point checklist for new pet parents with small business entrepreneurship dreams.” She shares a lot of great tips for small business owners who are pet parents too!
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Moving house with a cat? Don't forget these 5 important safety tips! #cats #movingwithcats Click To Tweet1. Make sure your pet is up to date on everything.
You don’t want your pet to get behind in vaccines, wormers, or hygienic care, especially prior to moving. Aim to get all treatment and grooming done in advance so you aren’t hustling to get up to date right before the move, as some vaccines may make your pet uncomfortable.
Additionally, a visit to the vet could induce stress even before the move begins. Worse yet, delaying treatment can lead to more serious health concerns down the road, as well as mounting vet bills.
Some states and countries have strict requirements for what your pet will need to move there. Call ahead to determine if where you are moving is one of them.
Find out what they require and what kind of proof you will need to show. This way, you avoid any stressful situations before they even begin!
See if area shelters offer discount veterinarian services, and research your new location for a reliable and affordable vet in advance of the move.
Moving house with a cat doesn’t have to drive you crazy! In our post, 5 simple tips to help you become the best cat parent possible, we discuss the importance of finding the perfect Vet for your needs. You’ll even find some helpful links to help you locate who is available in your new area.
2. Have all identification and records in place.
Pets acquired from breeders or shelters may be equipped with microchips to make them traceable through a pet recovery database, so find out if your pet has one.
However, if your pet is not microchipped and you worry that the procedure could be pricey, simply keep their identification tag on them, in case they get lost or injured.
Make sure all vet records, permits, and registration forms are in one place and easily accessible should you need them.
An easy and cost-free security measure is simply to have plenty of good photos of your pet in case you need to identify them or ask others to do so.
3. Keep your pet safe while preparing to move.
If you’re packing a lot of boxes and going in and out a lot, be sure your pet is comfortably secured where they can’t get injured or slip through a door and get lost.
If you have movers assisting you, it’s especially important to keep your pet out of harm’s way.
If you have a larger pet, be mindful, as movers may be wary about working around them. It’s best for all concerned if your pet is away from the hubbub in a dedicated safe place.
These tips for how to keep your cats calm during home improvements easily apply to moving house with a cat as well!
4. Use correct devices for securing your pet while moving.
Depending on the kind of pet you have, and their size, you will need to have a comfortable and reliable carrier to suit their needs.
You should also have good quality collars, leashes, and harnesses, for when you take your pet out of their carrier. If you need to purchase additional pet supplies, turn to your favorite online boutique, or shop at popular retailers using promo codes and cashback offers to get what your pet needs.
Our favorite online store for pet care needs is Chewy.com. Their prices are always reasonable, they have great sales, and the customer service is fantastic. Plus – they ship lightning fast.
We’ve been doing their auto-ship program for a couple of years now and absolutely love it!
5. Make sure they have access to basic needs at all times.
Moving house with a cat can be stressful for all involved. Just remember, no matter how busy or stressed you get during the moving process, never forget to prioritize your pet’s well-being.
That means they should always have access to water, and their feeding schedule should be kept as close to normal as possible.
If your pet has a toy or bed or any other item that they use for entertainment or comfort, try to keep it with them throughout the move.
Purchase a sizable quantity of good quality food they’re used to in case they require a special formula that’s hard to find in your new neighborhood.
Even if moving creates some anxiety for your pet, don’t worry — as long as you are there giving them the assurance they need, they should settle in quickly after you arrive.
Before you know it, you and your pet will be happy and thriving together in your new home.
Treat moving house with a cat just like an extra family member
… Because that’s just what they are – beloved family! These sweet babies rely on us for all of their care. They get stressed out just like we do.
Moving with pets may take a little extra planning but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming!
You might even talk to your Vet about giving your pet Benadryl to help with the anxiety of the move itself. In many cases, it’s an absolute blessing to help calm them and give you some peace of mind!
How about you, friends?
- What have been your experiences moving house with a cat?
- What worked for you? What didn’t?
- Did these tips help you prepare?
- Do you have any other questions for us?
We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. As always, please share this with your followers on social media. I appreciate you so much!
Today’s Guest Post Author
Jessica Brody created Our Best Friends so others could find a place to share stories and photos of their beloved animal companions.
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Love & Healing Purrs,
Hello Holly. How are you? I love your posts and this one is very important. I’ve heard people say that they lost their pets while moving especially cats. I put them inside their respective carriers before the movers come or put them into a room which only I have access to. We transport them in our car after the movers leave. I’ve shifted so many times and this works for me. Give Dizzy a big hug from me. Take care and God bless.
Hi, dearest Padma! It’s so nice to hear from you! How are you & your family doing? We are well here, praise God!
I agree with you – this post is a very important topic. I was grateful when Jessica reached out to write about it. Like you, I know of people who left cats behind because they darted out the door and could not find them before they had to move. I honestly cannot imagine … not sure what I’d do, but I’d want to do something!
Your ideas are perfect. It’s a great way to keep them safe and secure, knowing at all times where they are. Best to be safe than sorry, right?
I will be sure and give Dizzy a big hug from you! Have you seen our newest adoptee, Pips? You’re going to fall in love with him. 🙂
Sending my love to you and all of your kiddos. I’ve missed you and pray you are well! God bless you, sweet friend. ♥ Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Such great tips!! When we moved we made sure to keep our cats in the carriers while we were moving stuff inside.
I didn’t know about the Benadryl! We did get some CBD drops, which helped tremendously during the drive. They did so well!
Surprisingly the cats adjusted quickly to their new home. My daughter showed them where their litter boxes and food were. They’ve seemed happy here. Until the loud dog came, that is. 😂
I am so glad you did what you did by keeping your kiddos inside their carriers. Smart move, my friend! So many people didn’t and had devastating stories to tell as a result. 😟
I was really interested when you said those CBD drops helped. That’s amazing! I really do think CBD has a lot of great uses and it seems to really work well. It must have been a relief for you to have that worry off your list of worries! Benadryl definitely works. Years ago we had a big lab/rottweiler mix and he was impossible to work with in the car unless he was sedated, ha ha. He was huge!
I can only imagine the shenanigans your kiddos have been up to in your beautiful new home! It was good to hear that they settled in quickly. Seeing the photos on your blogs has been making me smile…so so cute!! I’m sure they’ve gotten together plotting revenge against Balto. 😁 Masterminds they are… what do you think?
Thank you for another amazing comment, my friend. You always make my day! ♥
Haha! I always imagine that when they’re hiding under the beds together that they’re under there coming up with a plan on how to lock Balto in a room somewhere. Or even shove him outside! LOL
Oh my! I can imagine how difficult it must’ve been with the huge dog! We’re trying to get Balto used to riding. He’s okay until it’s time to get out. For some reason he’s terrified of getting out.
Hahaha, somehow I’m betting your notion of what they’re doing under the beds together is correct! 🤣 Poor Balto! He just doesn’t know…or does he? hah!
That’s really interesting about how Balto reacts to getting out. Hmm, I wonder what he experienced in his life before you? Is it possible that someone took him for a ride and abandoned him? Their memories are so good that there’s probably something in his psyche that says “this part is bad news.” Then again, I could be way off target! Have you tried giving him a treat when he gets out of the car so that he associates getting out with a positive treat? Just a thought. 🙂 I know you said he gets treats for going in his crate and seems to be A-ok with that! 😀
Big hugs are headed your way. I hope you are spending your Saturday relaxing! 🤗
You could be exactly right! The shelter said he came in as a stray but it’s obvious he’s been a pet. I’m sure his story isn’t a good one. It breaks my heart to think about it. The treat idea is a great idea! I can’t believe I didn’t think of that!
I did spend Saturday relaxing. And Sunday too! 🤣 I hope you had a great weekend! 🤗
These are wonderful tips and incredibly informative! Sadly, I am allergic to cats, but that doesn’t stop me from giving them cuddles when I see one! I will pass this post along to friends and family who have cats because these are very important things to keep in mind when moving. We often feel stressed during a move and I can’t imagine how the animals must feel. Luckily, these tips ensure your furry friend will be comfortable and taken care of! Thank you for sharing!
Awww! I am so so sorry to hear that you are allergic to cats. I understand your frustrations because I was always allergic to dogs. It’s hard. What is your typical reaction? It’s funny you should mention an animal allergy because I had planned a blog post on that very topic.
You and your comment are very sweet, thank you! I appreciate your support and your encouragement. I hope your family members with cats will find this helpful. 😊 Hopefully you will come back and visit again. I enjoy hearing your thoughts! ❤️ Take care!
Such an informative post, Holly! I don’t have any pets and have never but I have family with lots of cats and actually my brother in law just moved recently! This is a great post to follow when you’re moving with a cat. Thanks for sharing xx
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Hi Lynn! Thank you for your kind words. ❤️ It’s definitely important to keep them safe and happy, especially during the stress of a move. A little prevention goes a long way. Sending love your way. Take care!
What a fab collab post! Well done Jessica & Holly! I’ll check out the Out Best Friends blog next.
I think I mentioned to you before about us wanting to move, then Covid came along and we seem a bit stuck. We’re still wanting to do it, but I have wondered how Virgil would get on. Probably quite well given his laid back attitude, but it’s still a worry. I suppose I think about what happens when he gets to the new place and gets lost in the neighbourhood, but of course it’s the whole move you need to consider as a cat’s slave. I mean, cat parent.
Making sure their needs are met, that they’re not uncomfortable and confused with everything going on, that they’re kept physically safe, that all your paperwork for them is in place, are all fab tips!
Caz xx
Jessica has some great ideas, doesn’t she? 😊 in fact, another piece from her was just published today. She’s always a welcomed addition to Cat Care Solutions.
I am so sorry that COVID prevented you from being able to move. There were so many changes (and lack thereof) that resulted from this pandemic. I do hope that you and your family can find the perfect place in the near future.
When you do find your new place, if it has a yard, you could consider an invisible fence. Not sure if those are available where you are, but they work beautifully. Virgil would wear a collar and electrical stakes are placed along the parameter of your yard. When he approaches the boundary, it would gently buzz him through the collar to keep him from going any further. It’s not painful at all, but it does teach them the new boundaries of the location. Just a thought. 😊
Thank you again my friend for your amazing comments. I love hearing from you. Praying you are well! ❤️
Woooow, that’s an incredible idea. I’ve not heard of anything like that before over here for pets but that’s certainly another layer of reassurance to keep our furbabies safe. Thanks, Holly! xx
You’re welcome my friend. ♥️ I hope you can find them there! xx