Moving with cats

Moving house is not only a stressful time for humans. Cats are just as susceptible to moving stress, especially when their owner emanates it. Here are our LAGERBOX tips for making moving as least stressful for a cat as possible and how to best handle moving with a cat.

1.) The right plan
It is important to keep your cat in mind right from the start. If you’re planning to move into a flat or house that you’re not the owner of, watch out whether cats are allowed. It’s best to make an arrangement with your landlord before signing a lease.

2.) The right preparation
Make sure not to leave anything lying around that could injure the cat, for example, mirrors leaning against a wall or an open sewing kit. It is important to keep with the cat’s rituals and not to move its furniture until the very end. The new home should be cat-proof. Ask your landlord whether you can put up a safety net on the balcony. If needed, a window protection screen can also be useful.

3.) The right help
Radiate calmness. If you give your cat the feeling that everything is fine, it won’t be inclined to nervously walk about or scratch. Stress reducing aids can be helpful. Make sure to buy those ahead of time. Examples include a pheromone diffuser to plug into an electric socket, sprays, Zylkene, anti-stress pastes, or special food.

4.) The right moving day
If you’re cat has vacation carers, this would be a good day to book them. If you don’t have one, assign a room to the cat, preferably an empty one, and leave her there with her blanket, tree, litter box, and bowl. Once you’ve cleared the whole house, pack the cat and all the cat’s equipment into your car last. Use a secure carrier. Under no circumstances can the cat be transported in the cargo area of the moving van.

5.) The right handling after the move
If you can, try and position the cat’s things in a similar place as in the old flat. If possible, a spot with a view is preferable. Give the cat time. Some cat’s need time to get used to their new home. Don’t force her to do anything she isn’t ready to do.

6.) The right handling of outdoor cats
Before you let your cat explore the outdoors, it’s important that she get used to her new home first. Don’t let her go outside just yet because there is a danger she goes missing. Go outside with her at first and then call her back home for food. It will only take about a month until she is ready to explore her surroundings beyond the four walls. If the outdoors is limited to a balcony, this is also a great way for the cat to get some air. Most importantly: Don’t forget to play with the cat now and again.

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