How to move with an adult cat?

The cat is an animal that clings to the routine to feel safe and avoid everything that puts your health and wellbeing at risk. Unlike other pets, the routine of the cat It is usually quite marked, as it is common to observe that it follows the same hours of food, sleep, play, hygiene or socialization. For this reason, sudden changes in the environment usually generate a lot Stress in the cat, in addition to other negative emotions, such as fear, anxiety and insecurity. For the feline, the move is a very significant change.

Therefore, if you are thinking of moving with your cat, it will be essential to understand that he will need his own time to adapt to the new house. Ideally, this transition should be carried out as a gradual process, and never suddenly and abruptly. In this way, it will be possible favor adaptation of your feline and make him feel comfortable and safe in his new home.

Do you want to know how to move with an adult cat? Then we invite you to continue reading this article to discover some very useful tips and recommendations that will help you succeed in this process. Guaranteed!

Before a move with cats.

As we have advanced you in the introduction, cats are animals that love routine, for that reason, sudden changes can easily cause stress and anxiety. Understanding this point is essential, because before starting with our advice to move with an adult cat, we want to remind you that as a responsible tutor, you must respect the adaptation times and do everything possible to favor change without it becoming a bad experience, which could quickly lead to trauma.

No animal, regardless of its age, sex or race, is capable of instantly adapting to a new reality or a new environment. Adaptation is, in itself, a process and each individual needs his own time to overcome it in a positive way.

The move is a complex experience for cats, at any stage of their life. However, puppies or young cats are usually more adaptable and flexible than adult cats. This does not mean that adult or elderly cats can not experience a good move, however, they will need more patience and dedication by their tutors.

8 tips for change of address in cats

Now that you know how felines can move to experience the move, you should know 8 practical advice so that your adaptation is as positive as possible:

1. Turn the move into something positive: there are many people who stress themselves when starting a move, however, this attitude directly impacts the cat, although it may not seem so. The first thing you must do to make your cat assimilate the move as something positive and go through this process with ease, is to take it yourself in this way. If the idea or process of moving you causes you nervousness, anxiety or stress, your body language will express these negative feelings and this will not go unnoticed before the powerful senses of your feline. When you notice your mood changes, your cat will probably be distrustful and will also absorb the events around him in a negative way. So, our first advice to move with an adult cat is to take the move, from its beginnings, in a positive way, keeping calm and planning each stage so as not to have unforeseen events or accidents during the transition to the new home. By perceiving your calm and safety, your pussycat will also feel more calm and secure to live this new experience.
2. Pack your things little by little: the lack of planning and the rush at the last moment are two factors that make the move a stressful thing not only for you, but also for your pussycat. If you leave to pack your things in one or two days, with great hurry, you will probably feel stressed and you will end up physically and mentally exhausted. In addition, this run at the last minute means exposing your cat not only to a sudden change in their environment, but also to the stress and distrust of observing your unusual “swing”, the accumulation of boxes around you and the “disappearance” of the elements of their environment. If you plan the step by step of your move and pack your things little by little, one box at a time, you will be softening the changes in the environment of your pussycat and helping him to assimilate this process gradually, with total peace of mind.
3. Provide a shelter for your cat during the “swings” of the move: the moment to unload the boxes to take them to the new house is a “swing” that is chaotic for your pussycat. The movements from here to there, the stacking of boxes, the entry of unknown persons into their territory, the process of emptying the home. All this can generate a lot of stress in your cat, therefore, it is best to prepare a safe and quiet shelter in a room, where your pussycat can remain oblivious to the “swing” of the move and be quiet enjoying your bed or your toys . You can also put some relaxing music in the environment or simply leave the TV on so that outside noises do not disturb the tranquility of your feline. Other type Very useful is to leave a cardboard box available to your pussycat in this safe room, with some toys, some sweets and a blanket inside. In this way, your cat will also have a “second refuge” in case he perceives some strange movement or a loud noise coming from the move.
4. Collect your cat’s belongings at the last moment: Although we recommend packing your things and household items little by little, it is key to leave your cat’s belongings for the last moment, when you have safely accommodated him in his carrier and are ready to go to the new home. Thus, we prevent the kitten from feeling nervous or anxious when he identifies a sudden change in his environment. The carrier is a key element in the routine of a domestic cat, since it allows you to transport it safely, either to take it to the veterinarian, to move or to go on a trip with your kitten. Therefore, it is essential that your kitten gets used to remaining calm in his carrier and to stay calm while traveling in a vehicle. In it, we offer you some recommendations to travel by car with your cat and accustom it to your carrier correctly.
5. Take your cat always with you, with total comfort and safety: after making sure that your pussycat is quiet in his carrier and picking up all his things, it’s time to go to the new house. Throughout the journey, it is essential that your pussy cat travel with you, with the necessary comfort and safety. Your cat should not go to the boxes or feel imprisoned in a moving truck. Always carry it with you, transmitting your tranquility and affection, and make sure you feel comfortable and safe throughout the trip.
6. Release it when everything is ready: when you arrive at the new house, you must repeat the strategy of the safe shelter, which you adopted to make the one-way move. Make sure you prepare a safe and clean room for your kitten, where you can find your bed, your toys and accessories, your trough and drinker, and the other items that made up your safe haven before leaving your old home. You can also leave the same cardboard box, with its toys, sweets and blankets inside so you have a “second coat” in front of the “chaos” of the move. In this way, you soften the sensation of arriving at a totally strange place, presenting it in a similar way to your familiar and homelike environment of the old home. As you arrange the boxes and finish the process of arriving at the new house, let your pussycat feel safe in his shelter. When the “swing” of the move ends and the tranquility returns to reign in your new home, you can release your pussycat, after verifying that the environment is totally safe and positive for him.
7. Give him freedom and time to explore his new home: again, we remember the importance of giving your pussycat time and freedom to explore his new home, following his own instincts. In addition to guaranteeing the safety and hygiene of the new home, it will be essential to offer an enriched environment that stimulates your natural curiosity and allows you not only to entertain yourself, but also to develop your cognitive, emotional and social abilities.
8. Spend time being with your cat in the new home: While all of the above tips are very useful for moving with an adult cat, the key aspect for a kitten to feel comfortable, safe and welcome in their new home is the affection and dedication of their guardian. Therefore, always remember to spend a special time of your day playing with your cat in the new house, preparing an exquisite home-cooked meal or simply enjoying your company while sleeping next to you on the sofa. Love is the most powerful “ingredient” to transform a property into a real home.

How long does an adult cat take to adapt to the new home?

Do you wonder how long it takes a cat to adapt to his new home? Time is variable and will depend on your own personality and the environment offered by your tutors. You must be patient and respect that your cat takes his own time to feel safe and start wanting to explore his new home. Remember that force a cat to do something against their own will is totally counterproductive for its adaptation, health and education.

Undoubtedly, it is totally natural for a feline to be more shy, confused and even a little afraid of coming to an unknown environment and encountering all the new stimuli of this environment. Therefore, you may prefer to be hidden the first days, or be more reserved in relation to their behavior in the old home.

However, in addition to respecting it, you can help your cat in many ways. First, providing a Positive, comfortable and quiet environment, where your feline feels safe to express himself freely and explore his new environment. Balanced nutrition and essential care with your health will also be key to ensure your wellbeing and optimal development, before, during and after a move.

In general, cats can take from a few weeks to several months to adapt to a new home. If you need to know more, follow in order to know the best tips for the first days of a cat at home, that will help you favor adaptation of your cat after moving to the new home.

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