Cat and Moving: We're afraid Buddha will bolt?

Question

We are moving in the next couple of weeks and with all the boxes people and hub bub -- esp. the day of the actual move -- I am afraid Buddha will get freaked out and bolt and we will never see our baby again. :(

any suggestion on how to take care of our Buddha boy during our move?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Cats are not always welcoming to changes in their routine and most of them find moving house particularly stressful.

On arrival day, keep Buddha in his travel basket while you set up one room of the apartment with his familiar items; bed, blanket/towel, toys, litter tray, food and water. You can then get on with moving everything in, knowing that he is safe in one room. Later in the day, when everything has been moved in, you can allow him access to explore one or two other rooms of your new home. As he needs to establish this as his new "territory" he might feel better doing this one room at a time, but obviously if he's a very confident cat, he may be happy to explore the whole of the house straight away.

Cats rely very heavily on their sense of smell. When they rub up against doorways or furniture, they are very subtly marking their territory. The new apartment obviously won't have the familiar communal scent of your old home which will add to any feelings of insecurity. If Buddha has a favourite blanket or something else he likes to sleep on, you could try wiping that over the paintwork at cat head height. Alternatively, you can also try wiping a soft cloth, like a hankie, over his cheeks and then rubbing the cloth on decorated areas and furniture, as this will help reinstate his scent and make him feel a little more "at home". A Feliway spray or a plug-in diffuser will have a similar effect, as it contains pheromones that have a scent similar to that found on cats' cheek glands.

Use food and a regular routine to help him settle in. Small frequent meals will give you more contact initially and help to reassure him that all is well. By knowing when and where feeding will take place, he can anticipate the meal rather than worry about it. This will also help him to relax and reassure him in his new environment.

Hope all goes well, good luck.

Answer 2

It is important not to stress pets. If you have a family member or neighbor who can take Buddha in for a few days while you handle some of the chaos that would be great. A familiar place for kitty would be ideal. If you are moving nearby, take Buddha to the new home first and keep him in a bedroom where he won't get hurt or in the way. It will be stressful for him so make him comfy. If these are not possible, take the pet carrier or borrow one and keep kitty in the bathroom or your bedroom with the radio on and handle the moving while he's safe upstairs. Then take kitty with you in the car and move. Do the reverse when you arrive at your new home. Kitty will adjust faster than you think. Make sure the windows and doors are secure at the new place or your cat will go wandering and you may never see him again. Let kitty get used to the sights and sounds in safety. As long as you are there to reassure, the transition should be fairly quick.

Answer 3

I'm with my2cents, except I would keep Buddha in the carrier ( I really think the carrier is a must) at the new place for at least 24 hours, they get a much better idea that this is their new home if you do that.
I would start putting the cat in the carrier the day you start taking boxes out (but boarding would be the ideal.)
Then, when you get to your new place, don't let him outside for at least two weeks, or he may try to go back to your old place. And, if he does run away - which of course we all hope he won't- go to the old place and check, even if it is a long ways- cats have an amazing homing instinct.
Good luck, but I bet since you care enough to think ahead, everything will be O.K.!

Answer 4

Get a larger cat carrier, put a small litterbox in it and a towel he likes.

On the day of the move, keep him and the kenel (dont put him in the kennel) in the bathroom and close the door.

When all the boxes are done moving put her in the kennel and bring her to the new house.

Keep her in one room for the first few days and then SLOWLY introduce her to the rest of the house.

Wait at least a week or so before you let him outside if he is allowed outside.

Answer 5

You are wise to be concerned about this. I've been asked to help find many cats that have been lost this way. When the movers are actually there, either put him in a big carrier/kennel or in a bathroom with a sign on the door, pet inside-do not open. Try some Feliway Spray to comfort him in his confinement and at the new place.Check on him often and play with him while the movers are there.

Answer 6

Board him somewhere for a few days. I don't know what the options are in your area. Where I live Petsmart has a pet hotel with nice accommodations for cats.
Another option is borrow or even buy a large dog crate and crate him the day of the move. With a large dog crate you can make room for a small litter pan and food/water bowls in the crate.

Answer 7

Get yourself a $25 cat carrier and put him in it with a towel. KEEP him inside it for his safety and yours, and don't let him out of it till he can be contained in a room at the new place.

No reason to take chances with a loose cat--keep him safe and out from underfoot, nobody gets hurt and he'll feel calmer inside his 'cave'.

Answer 8

Lock the cat in the bathroom and make sure people know that the cat is to stay in there while the outside door is open.

Answer 9

You're going to need a cat carrier. They also sell things at the pet stores to calm pets. Also your vet might have advice.