Moving with Cats: Ivy's Tips for Stress-Free Relocation

Welcome to the Wednesday Cats of Catster! Every week, we share a story from one of our cat-loving Catsters. This week is about Crystal and her soul cat, Ivy.

Hi Catsters!

The last time we spoke, I touched on the dreaded F-word: Fleas! I sincerely hope that everyone who read that story checked their cat for fleas after that, or was at least reminded of the importance of being consistent with flea medication.

This week, we’re talking about moving! I’ll be sharing a couple of things that really helped Ivy – and me.

After about a year of living in our first complex, we decided it was time to move. After a LOT of searching, calling, and emailing with agents, we finally found the perfect fit! A little hidden gem of a complex, surrounded by greenery, gardens, and trees.

The moving preparation was in full swing, and moving day arrived quicker than I thought it would. I was extremely nervous about how Ivy would handle the move – it was my first time moving with her and to be honest, I didn’t really know what to do or where to start to make sure the transition would be as easy as possible for her.

Luckily, Catster has a ton of resources with tips for moving with your cat, and they really helped when it came to preparing and setting my mind at ease.

There were a few things that we did that I think made a big difference in keeping her calm and making the situation the best we could.

1. Keeping ourselves calm

Let’s face it: moving is stressful. And wow, I was stressed! I was stressed out about the moving preparation, the actual moving, and the aftermath of the moving. However, I tried my best to stay calm, stick to our regular routine, and act like it was no big deal that basically all of our things were in boxes ready to be moved to their new destination. I think I did a good job at staying calm – don’t ask anyone else, though!

2. The calming collar

I was very skeptical of calming collars – for no real reason, I just was! However, I decided to purchase one anyway. There’s no real way to tell for sure, but I think the calming collar did make a difference. I put the calming collar on a few days before the move when we started packing.

As we all know, most cats can sense when change is coming, and with basically our entire house being packed into boxes, I for sure thought she would know something was up. With the collar on, it seemed like she didn’t have a care in the world, and of course, she loved all of the boxes!

The calming collar also helped with the actual moving. Usually, she hates being in a carrier, and being in a car, since that usually means she’s going to the dreaded veterinarian. But she was surprisingly chilled being subjected to both of those things – luckily, it was only a short 30-minute drive.

3. Creating a safe room

Our new townhouse had two bedrooms, and we made her a comfy, safe spot in one of the rooms with all of her things. Her cat tree, litter boxes, toys, food bowls, and scratchers were all placed in the room before her arrival. We kept her in the room until all of our things were in the house and all of the strangers were out of the house!

4. Allowing her to explore

When the extremely long moving day finally came to an end, it was time for her to explore her new space! Her curiosity was at an all-time high, with new nooks and crannies and rooms to explore. I wondered what she was thinking. The views from the windows were different, the layout of the house was different, well, everything was different! After a couple of days, we moved her things to their new designated spots. We also made sure to put an item with her scent in each room. In my mind, this would make her feel like she’s been there before.

5. Sticking to the regular routine

We made sure that she still got fed at the same time and got treats on her cat tree perch each morning. What made this process even easier, I think, was the fact that I get to work from home. In essence, nothing changed except the space we were in.

Although these things helped Ivy and us a lot, I also think that she is a very adaptable kitty. She wasn’t hiding, or skittish, or unsure of herself. She was her normal, confident self. Within a few days, she was running around the house like she owned the place, and it seemed as though she had lived there her entire life.

Ivy really amazed me and honestly made me think to myself, if she can have her entire little life uprooted, moved, and settle in within a matter of days, why can’t I? Instead of me helping her through the move and adjustment period, she ended up helping me even more.

Our moving experience isn’t nearly as stressful as some others I’ve read or heard about, and for that, I am extremely grateful!

I’m curious to know: If you could give someone one piece of advice about moving with a cat, what would it be?

Thanks for reading, Catsters! Until next time.