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Moving Your Cat to a New Apartment
What is the best way to move into a new apartment with your cat? Cats can be fun moving companions, stalking around the chaos and jumping into the boxes. But moving to a new home can also be a nervous time for your cat. Taking the right steps can help your cat feel more comfortable in the new space and significantly reduce the risk of them getting lost in the new neighborhood.
Fortunately, moving with a cat is a well-explored adventure. With a few tips, you can help your furry little buddy feel at home in the new apartment in no time and keep them safe during the whole moving process.
Introduce the Carrier as a New Cat Bed
The first step is to get your cat comfortable with their carrier. Cats move more easily when the carrier itself feels like "home".
Buy a sturdy cat carrier if you don't have one already. Then, place one of your cat's favorite pillows, blankets, or cat beds inside the carrier. Leave the carrier in your cat's space until it becomes familiar.
Feed your cat treats inside the carrier and pet them while they eat. This will create a strong positive association with the carrier. If your cat begins casually sleeping in the carrier, this is a really good sign.
Secure Both Homes from Escape
Make sure your cat doesn't accidentally escape during the move. Keep both your original home and the new apartment properly closed during the moving process. Use an "airlock" system so there are always at least one - if not two - closed doors between your cat and the outside. Keep all windows closed, even if they have screens, just in case.
Cats will bolt if they get scared or nervous, and it's best to prevent them from getting lost during a move.
Help Your Cat Stay Calm and Unstressed
If your cat is showing signs of nervousness, use calming techniques to keep them relaxed. Cat-calming pheromones, soothing treats, and quiet enclosed sleeping spaces can help your cat to stay comfortable and calm during the move.
If your cat has started sleeping in their carrier, gently close up the carrier and place it in a quiet room - or an air-conditioned car - while you take care of the bustling, disruptive moving activities like loading and unloading the truck.
Place Your Cat in the Litter Box First
When moving a cat, always make sure their first steps are into the litter box. Your cat will start building their mental map of the new apartment from that point and will always be able to navigate back.
Set up a clean litterbox in a closed room of the apartment. Then let your cat out of the carrier and set them paws-down onto the clean litter. Pet and reassure your cat, then let them explore the room.
Keep Your Cat Safe in One Room While You Unpack
Choose just one room for your cat to become familiar with during the early stages of unloading and unpacking. Your cat will have time in a calm space to get used to the environment, smells, and sounds of the apartment.
Add all your cat's favorite things to the room like their bed, food and water dishes, favorite toys, and any special items they love. Leave the carrier as an extra bed. Keeping your cat closed in one room makes it easier to keep them safe while you're bringing in furniture and doing the initial unpacking.
After things have settled down and your apartment is closed up, you can let your cat sniff and explore the entire apartment.
Reassure Your Cat with Love and Play
Be sure to lavish your cat with cuddles, treats, and play time. Reassure your cat with soft words and attention while in their carrier. Cuddle and play with your cat in their first room. Then shower your cat with all the attention they want when it comes time to explore. This will reassure your cat that the move is good, they are safe, and the new apartment is a place you will share safely together.
Give Your Cat New Special Places
Every home has special places where a cat loves to lounge. If you have a cat tree, set it up in the living room where your kitty can survey all apartment activities from their favorite perch. Place a cat bed by a new window to become your cat's new favorite observation deck. Find new places for bowls of food and water to make your cat feel at home in every room.
Your cat will soon feel completely at home in your new apartment.
Pet-Friendly Apartments in Minot, North Dakota
Of course, the first step to moving your cat to a new apartment is to find a pet-friendly apartment where you and your cat will be welcome. The Chateau features pet-friendly apartments in Minot, ND, where you can find a home for your family and furry companions. Contact us to explore vacancies and find the answers to all your questions.