A Stress-Free Move With Your Cat: 5 Tips from a Professional

Moving with a pet can be challenging, especially when it comes to cats, known for their sensitivity to changes. To ensure a stress-free move for your feline friend, here are some valuable tips from Christine at Félin Complice, a feline behavior specialist.

Christine from Felin Complice with her cat

1. Isolate Your Cat During the Move

Before starting the move, isolate your cat in a quiet room with their food, litter box, toys, and items they usually rest on or scratch (e.g., a cushion, a sweater, their scratching post). This provides not only visual cues to help the cat feel comfortable but also olfactory cues! It allows them to meet all their essential needs during this period (eating, drinking, relieving themselves, resting, playing, scratching).
Clearly indicate on the door that there is a cat inside, both in your old home and the new one. This will prevent disturbing comings and goings and help your cat feel safe.

 

2. Let Your Cat Explore at Their Own Pace

Once the move is complete and the furniture and boxes are set up, let your cat out of their isolation room, provided they are calm. Introduce them gradually to their new environment by allowing them to explore one floor at a time. Wait for the house to be quiet before giving them access to more space. Make sure to close off "unnecessary" rooms for the cat in the first few days. This will help them explore only the common/open areas initially, so they won’t worry about the rest since it’s not accessible.


3. Create a Comfortable Environment


It’s crucial to set up your cat’s various items (remembering they are visual/olfactory/comfort cues) in important rooms of the house to help them use their new environment. Be creative and provide extra hiding spots as well as elevated spaces if they need to feel safe (we want to help them do this, not prevent it!).


Here are some examples of hiding spots and elevated spaces: small tents, boxes, a table with a blanket over it, a cleared shelf, a hammock in a window, a space on a high piece of furniture, a cat tree, etc.


4. Encourage Positive Exploration


To encourage your cat to explore their new environment, place treats, toys, and other comforting objects for them in each room. Take advantage of this time to choose high-value treats like KALŪ’s dehydrated fish treats to increase their enjoyment during this period of change.
To help your pet explore your new home, focus on enjoyable activities such as brushing, cuddling, or playing to allow them to associate the newness with a positive experience. Play is also crucial for helping them adapt. Spend time playing with your cat in the rooms where they seem uncomfortable.


5. Understand the Importance of Routine


Cats are very attached to their routine and the stability of their territory. A move can be extremely disruptive for them as they have to adapt to a new routine and space. Be patient and give them time to adjust to their new home by keeping their routine stable. Maintaining their daily habits (meals, playtimes, etc.) as much as possible can greatly facilitate this transition and allow your cat to anticipate moments they particularly enjoy.


Bonus Tip

During the days surrounding the move, try to avoid an accumulation of stress. For instance, avoid doing major vacuuming in the presence of the cats or having many friends/family over to celebrate. It’s worth delaying these activities so the cat has time to recover from the move before experiencing other potentially stressful situations.

Moving with a cat requires careful preparation and a lot of patience. By taking the appropriate measures to minimize your cat’s stress, you can ensure a smooth transition to your new home. Don’t forget to visit the KALŪ online store to discover their eco-friendly products for cats!

2 cats playing with a bag of food from KALŪ

Specialized Support or Online Workshops

If you want to strengthen your bond with your cat, correct certain behaviors, or simply understand them better, visit Félin Complice website.

"I founded this company to be available and listen to cat lovers who need help or just want to understand their pet better." - Christine

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