Your checklist guide to moving with cats

What to do before moving cats to a new home

☐ Choose the right type of pet carrier

The first thing to do when preparing cats for a move is to get a travel carrier. But getting the right one is critical to your cat’s comfort and safety. It should also have enough room for your cat to stand, turn around, and move easily. If you have more than one cat, get an extra-large one to fit them. 

☐ Introduce the travel carrier

Let your cat warm up to the pet carrier when you get it. Don’t wait until moving day! Cats need time to acclimate, so you can leave the carrier lying around the house days or weeks before the move. Keep the door open and let your cat become familiar with it. You can also put a blanket inside to make it cozy.

☐ Gradually pack your belongings

Cats are creatures of habit. It can upset or stress them if they suddenly see adjustments in the home. Try to pack your things little by little to prevent overwhelming your cat with abrupt changes. For hard-to-pack items like furniture, you can find a professional packer to assist you.

☐ Ensure your cat’s safety

Keeping your cat in a separate room is important if you’re working with movers to help with the transfer.  This will prevent instances like your cat knocking down things, causing accidents, or bolting out the door. Have your cat’s essentials in the dedicated room, and post a note on the door to let movers know there’s a cat inside.

☐ Update your feline’s identification

When moving cats to a new home, a commonly overlooked task is changing their ID tags. Doing this is crucial so it’s easier to identify and bring your cat back to you in case of a runaway or slip-away incident. You may also choose to have your cat microchipped.

How to move with cats: 4 things you should know

1: Be ready for motion sickness

Cats can get motion sickness. Some of the signs are heavy drooling, vocalization, and vomiting. Hence, skipping the heavy meal and going for something light before the trip will help settle the stomach. If your cat has a history of motion sickness, consult your veterinarian for medications.

2: Have your cat’s essentials on board

Ensure your cat needs everything, including food, water, bowls, pillows, and blankets or towels. You can also add your cat’s favorite toy to the carrier. Knowing how to make a move less stressful for cats includes bringing items with familiar scents to aid in self-soothing. Don’t forget your cat’s other things, such as a pet harness, leash, vitamins or supplements, and medications (if any).

3: Take breaks for long drives

Ideally, traveling in a private vehicle or hiring a pet-friendly taxi is best. You can go on multiple stopovers if the trip takes several hours. You can walk your cat out on a leash and allow for some stretching time. Breaks are also helpful if your cat gets motion sickness or anxious in the car.

4: Consider pheromones for your cat

Pheromones are chemicals cats produce and use to communicate with each other. Cats generally feel a sense of comfort and familiarity with the presence of pheromones. Catnip is an herb that acts like a cat pheromone, producing positive and happy feelings. You can buy pheromone sprays, catnip leaves, or balls from local pet shops.