The Final Countdown: Moving Your Cat
You have closed the deal and are now the proud owner of a new house. Unfortunately, the stress is just beginning; not just for you, but for Poofypaws, your darling little cat. Here are some tips to eliminate some of the difficulties inherent in moving your cat from your old home to the new.
The final days leading up to the move are going to be the most stressful for Poofykins. As much as possible, keep to her schedule. If she normally gets fed at 8, feed her at 8. If you regularly have a game of Chase the String at 7, try to drag the string around for a couple of minutes every day. Try to maintain the illusion that everything is normal - despite the growing pile of boxes in the living room.The day before the move, feed Poofy about half as much as she normally gets. On the day of the move, don't feed her at all. Not only will this minimize her projectile vomiting a ball of goo into the back of your head; it will make her associate the new house with something positive once you pop her into her holding room.
The holding room is a room in your new home that you have marked ahead of time to hold Poofy until the moving is over. It should be free from a lot of junk, exits or unsecured windows. An empty bedroom is good. Make sure that any closets or exits are closed and can't be opened by an enterprising paw. Set it up with a small amount Poofy's yummy food, water, her litterbox and any items that you know she is especially fond of. If you have music you regularly play, bring a player and let Poofy hear some familiar tunes or the radio. Some cats like to watch TV, so a TV with a DVD player can allow Poofy to relax with the Aristocats while you accidentally break that hideous sculpture Aunt Edna gave you for your birthday.
Bring Poofy over to the new place before you do anything else and set her up in the room you have prepared for her. Allow some time for her to check things out while in the crate; then open the crate and let her inspect the room. Try to have a way for her to be able to see out the windows – her cat tree or a small table may help. Again, bungee cord the crate door open so it can't close, so Poofy has somewhere familiar to escape to. Stay with her for a few minutes to make sure she isn't too freaked out and then head out to unload your stuff. Put a sign on the door to alert movers and other people that the cat is in residence and severe bodily harm will come to the unfortunate who releases her.
After the movers have left, check on Poofy. If she seems calm, you can leave her again. If she is nervous, try spending a few minutes petting her and calming her down. Try playing with her or engaging in a familiar activity if you have the time. If she has eaten her yummy food, try making a big production of giving her more - only a little bit of it. You don't want her leaving you the cat's version of the letter, "Dear Person-who-brings-me-Food, I am displeased with the way things are going. Signed, Her Most Serene Highness, Poofypaws".
Later on, you can try introducing Poofy to other areas of the house. You may want to take it slow and not overwhelm Poofy at first. Always bring her crate or cat bed and encourage her to retreat to it if she's feeling stressed. You can also bring Poofy's equipment into your new bedroom so that she can have you around for comfort during the night.
Over the next week, gradually allow Poofy greater freedom within the house. If she is an indoor/outdoor cat, don't let her outside for a few weeks, so she can learn to bond with her new territory. If your move has been a short one, you may find that Poofy has taken a sojourn back to her old stomping grounds. If she makes a habit of it, ask your former neighbors to make life hard for her and the new tenants of your house to make it clear that she is unwelcome.
With a little bit of preparation, you can make your cat's transition from your old house to the new relatively easy. A smooth transition, where the cat is exposed to a minimum of stress, will pay off. You will have a cat that is less likely to reduce your house to its original components or take its stress out on your furniture.
By: Justin Havre
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
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