HOW TO PACK AND MOVE YOUR CAT SAFELY TO A NEW RESIDENCE

At Rent A Green Box, we've seen our share of moving related pet issues: sad pets, missing pets and pissed off pets. With over 80,000 moves completed, were constantly asked the same question How do I safely move my cat. Were happy to share with you these free cat friendly moving tips, for a happy kitty!

Moving is one of the top 10 most stressful events in a persons life- we can all agree on this fact. Wherever we go, mans/womans best friend is sure to follow and is hopefully not lost or stressed in the moving process. All animals are creatures of habit and become very nervous when theyre relocated to a new and different environment. When you start to move, they start to freak out. At Rent A Green Box, we have seen our share of moving related pet issues: sad pets, missing pets and really pissed off pets. With over 80,000 moves completed in the last five years, were constantly asked the same question How do I safely move my cat. Were happy to share with you these free cat friendly packing and moving tips, for a happy kitty! If your looking to move your dog, we have a special tips article on how to pack and move your dog.

Step 1: Moving Prep:

Keep your cats blankets, toys, beds, food, and water out until moving day to keep them in their natural state for as long as possible. Pack the cats belongings, extra food, and water in a set aside empty box the day of the move. This helps to put their nerves at ease for as long as possible. But before the move make sure to take your cat to the veterinarian and make sure that your vet issues any vaccinations or procedures needed, so that you have a fresh start for your move and updated records. Get copies of the updated records and keep them accessible while in transit. When you begin to pack your belongings, the best non-threatening way, is to pack and empty one room at a time. After one is completed place your cat inside the room along with its travel crate, bedding, toys, food, and water. This process allows your cat to feel accustomed to its crate and its new room/home throughout the packing process. Keep your cats blankets, toys, beds, food, and water out until moving day to keep them in their natural state for as long as possible. Pack the cats belongings, extra food, and water in a set aside empty box the day of the move. This helps to put their nerves at ease for as long as possible. But before the move make sure to take your cat to the veterinarian and make sure that your vet issues any vaccinations or procedures needed, so that you have a fresh start for your move and updated records. Get copies of the updated records and keep them accessible while in transit. When you begin to pack your belongings, the best non-threatening way, is to pack and empty one room at a time. After one is completed place your cat inside the room along with its travel crate, bedding, toys, food, and water. This process allows your cat to feel accustomed to its crate and its new room/home throughout the packing process.

Comments

[RustyRoller]

More on moving with cats: I moved my first cat 8 times, I believe, in his first 14 years, several times more than 1000 miles. I've moved my current two babies 4 times in nearly 7 years.

I echo Marie's comments: to be 100% sure your kitties are safe, get them out of the house or apt. when moving, on BOTH ends of the move, until everything is quiet and settled. BTW, I tried harnesses on the two newest when they were both less than 2 yrs old, and (1) they both reacted as if their back was broken (oh, mom, this harness is so heaaavvvyyyy), and (2) one managed to get out of her "escape-proof" harness during the drive while under the driver's seat (where she'd scooted at the first opp prior to going into crate) ... at least she chose to stay there for the first 1200 miles, rather than get out and moving around the car.

When I've had the opp, I've used a screened patio or "Florida room" to isolate the girls while moving in or out, vs. taking to board at the vet's.

And, as Marie also recommends: catnip party and their favorite treats ASAP in the new place ... leave closet doors open, etc. Funny enough, despite the cranky reputation of Siamese, my two Sia's did much better with moving than did my tiger stripe. Actually seemed curious rather than shell-shocked when released in their new environment.

Oh, and even if you don't usually keep a collar on your cat(s) -- I don't -- put one on while moving. Only one of my girls is "chipped," but I alerted the vet where I was moving from that we'd be on the road, and how to reach me if a call came in about either cat.

P.S. I keep in my wallet a card that has, in addition to my own emergency contact info, my vet's number and that of my pet-sitter. I don't often have the cats in the car (except for trips to vet), but my little dog often is with me; in case I'm incapacitated, I want emergency folks to know who can be called to either take care of my animals or provide medical services to them.

[ozone333]

The paragraph that starts with "keep your cats blankets..." is doubled. It states the same information twice. fyi

[nutellamonster]

*Please* do not use these strap-your-kitty-to-your-car-contraptions (step 3). They are in no way accident safe. Even on a short trip, the cat should be in a carrier that can be strapped into the security belt of the car seat (most carriers can, if in doubt, ask the vendor of the carrier or your veterinarian, who should be seeing it sometimes). The carrier should not be too big for the same reason: If you do have an accident while transporting your cat (or dog, for that matter), it shouldn't "bounce" inside the carrier too much.
I made the experience that placing the carrier with its front grill towards the front window of the car quietens my cat because she can look outside and relate the car's movements to her gravitational feelings - much the same as humans using a ferry would feel.

[achristensen2]

That's just a cat on a leash sitting in the car. In the text it's explained that the cat should be in a crate.

[katerlyn]

Beautiful photographs of the cats.

[anahopwood]

Thanks for the tips! I have a 2 year old cat that has been in the same apt since she was able to leave her mother. At the end of the month, we are moving to a new apt. Trips to the vet are pretty much the only outside exposure she gets - if I leave the screen door open she will stand right at the opening, sniffing wildly but won't venture out. I'm hoping this won't be too much of a stress to my spoiled brat :)

[chaydgb]

Could you check and edit, it looks like copying and pasting has messed up somewhere (such as duplicate sentences in the middle of other unrellated sentences). Otherwise very helpful information.

[mariedarcy]

Ideally, cats should not be in your home while moving out and in -- too much noise, strange people, and too many opportunities for them to escape.  When planning a move, it is best to arrange for cats to be boarded (at a relative's, friend's or vet's) from the evening before the move to after you've moved in.  I've volunteered in a few shelters, and we get tons of calls from distraught pet owners looking for their escaped cats during moving season.
Once the cats are in your new home, leave them some room to hide while they're adjusting: under the bed, open closets.  Cats hate new places.  Familiar things -- their beds, toys -- should be available to them as soon as possible.  Oh -- and a catnip party as soon as you've unpacked is a great way to make them feel better about their new surroundings!

[Nettiemac]

 Thank you for all of these very helpful tips.  I think I am going to invest in a leash for my cat so that when we move again I can get her out of her travel cage for a stretch.

[master key]

cute cat pictures