If you’re moving an older cat to a new home in Boca Raton, Delray Beach or another oceanfront community in Florida, you know you may be in for a challenge – but this guide explains what you can do to make things easier on your senior cat (and yourself).
Moving an Older Cat to a New Home: 3 Tips to De-Stress Your Pet
Moving your older cat to a new home may be stressful for your four-legged family member, particularly if your feline companion has never moved before. However, you can use these tips to de-stress the process:
- Set up a quiet space in your current home for your cat, which you’ll use for moving day.
- Get your cat used to her carrier.
- Set up a “safe zone” in your new home for him.
Here’s a closer look at each.
Tip #1 for Moving an Older Cat to a New Home: Quiet Space at Home
At least a few weeks before moving day, set up a nice, quiet room in your current home for your cat to feel safe. Place his bed, food and water, litter tray and toys in the room, and let him get used to spending time in there. You should also spend time in the room; that way, your cat will associate it with you – and your scent will be in the space, which will make him more comfortable.
On moving day, place your cat in his quiet space and shut the door. Make sure the movers know not to open it!
Related: Can you use a VA loan to buy a pet-friendly condo in Boca Raton?
Tip #2 for Moving an Older Cat to a New Home: Carrier Acclimatization
Get your cat used to her carrier as early as possible. For some people, the best way to do that is to place the carrier with its open door facing the ceiling and letting the cat – well, be a cat. Sometimes cats will jump right in, just for the fun of it. However, some cats take a little more time to get used to the idea; if yours does, you can try these tricks:
- Place your cat’s carrier near her food and water dish, and leave it open. Leave it there for a week or so.
- Gradually move the carrier closer to her dishes, and eventually, place her food dish inside.
- Put her favorite toy and a piece of your clothing inside the carrier.
Eventually, your cat will likely warm up to the idea of her carrier – and she may even end up loving the time she spends in there.
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Tip #3 for Moving an Older Cat to a New Home: A New “Safe Zone”
Before you bring your cat (in his carrier, of course) to your new home, set up a new “safe zone” where he can relax. The room should include his litter tray, food and water dishes, toys and bed, as well as something special, like a scratching post or a cat climber. You may also want to include old boxes, some of your personal items with your scent on them, and new toys so he can feel more secure.
Let your cat explore at his leisure, and after a day or two, open the door and let your cat roam the house. He’ll explore when he’s ready!
Related: The dog-lover’s guide to buying a home in Boca Raton
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