Congrats on taking that step that might change everything, the move! Relocating can be tasking, especially when it has to do with Interstate Moving, and it just gets more tasking when relocating with a pet. Moving with a Cat is quite challenging as these feline creatures are quite territorial. If you’re considering moving with cats cross country, then these tips for moving with cats cross country might just be what you need.
Preparing Your Cat for the Move?
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Plan on Meeting Your Vet Before the move
Before making a move, you want to discuss your cat’s health with your vet. Doing so will guarantee that your cat is fit for the trip. A talk with your vet will also provide you the knowledge on best practices to observe when on the move. One of such practices you want to keep in mind is anxiety prescriptions.
Most people make the mistake of sedating their pets when relocating. One fact to bear in mind is that sedation could have adverse effect on your cat, especially during air travel. How? It interferes with their breathing ability. Apart from this, you want to avoid using unprescribed medicines for your cats as you don’t know how they may react to them during flight. This is why most vets advise on doing without sedation and medication on a cross-country move.
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Get a New Vet
Once you’re sure your cat is fit for the move, you also want to make provisions for a new vet in the new city. To find the right skilled and experienced experts, get references from your current vet.
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Get an Updated ID
While your cat’s health is important, you also want to get an updated ID tag with your new address and new contact information to ensure the safety of your pet when relocating. Plus, it’s also a good idea to get a microchip in your cat before the trip. Why? It will make tracking down your pet an easy task in case they ever get lost.
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Give the Carrier a Homey Feel
Travel pens are your worry-free transportation vessel to keep your kitty comfortable on a cross-country move. Whether you’re considering moving by air or road, the pen will come in handy. However, you want to make the space feel homey and conducive for your pet. Why? A poorly structured carrier could leave your pets psychologically troubled.
The good news is that you can easily make this space more ideal for the trip. Before the move, place your carrier in a fun spot your pet loves to visit and leave it open. This lets your cat get accustomed to the carrier space in his or her own time. While you’re considering this means, you also want to spray the carrier with some calming pheromone spray to get your cat comfortable before moving cross country.
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Get Your Pet Accustomed to the Road
When cross-country moving with cats, don’t wait until the D-day to familiarize them with your preferred means of transportation. This is because kitty’s do not like changing environments or moving around. So, you want to take your pet for a test drive regularly to acclimate them to the rhythm and feel of the road. Going for a practice run or test drive will also make moving an easy task as you will not need to sedate or used medications on your pet to relieve anxiety. Instead, it would help keep them relaxed, composed, and better state of mind for a cross-country move.
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Get a Carry-on Bag for Your Kitty Must-Haves
Another thing you want to keep in mind is that in the course of your trip, your kitty may need to eat, sleep or play in the carrier. Hence, as much as it is important to carry a bag for yourself, it is also necessary to pack your kitty’s essential traveling bag. This bag should contain your kitty essentials during the trip like food supplies, milk, water, bowl, comfortable blanket, a bottle of a pheromone spray, and every other essential item for the trip.
You also want to remember that when flying, you’ll likely be restricted to smaller carry-ons. In this case, it is best to keep essential items close at hand. If you’re considering relocating, ensure to pack a litter box and cat no more spraying to avoid a chaotic environment. For more about cat spraying and hygiene, I advise you to visit here.
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Keep Cats Hydrated
Put food and water in small containers typically used for fast food condiments to avoid messy spills. Make stops every few hours to give cats a spoonful of wet food for moisture to ensure they stay hydrated.
Provide access to water bowls at regular intervals and try sticking to mealtimes as much as possible.
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Give Plenty of Love
Although cats are pretty territorial, they also easily get attached to their owners. So, while moving may be time and attention-consuming, you want to give some amount of attention to your cat during the packing, moving, and settling process. Doing so will keep their mind relaxed and assured of your love.
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Notify Moving Contractors of Your Pet
If you’re contemplating hiring a moving service, you want to make sure to notify them of pets within your home. While most movers fail to ask for the presence of pets within the premises, this is one important factor you want to remember. Keeping the contractors notified will ensure a safe parking space. While on it, you also want to instruct them on security procedures to insure your kitty does not escape.
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Make the New Living Space Familiar
Once you are settled, consider fixing up your cat’s living space in your new home to look similar to the previous living area. Start with setting up its essentials like towels, milk and water bowl, and bed. Then, set up another piece of furniture’s the cat can easily recognize. After the fuse of unpacking, allow your cat to get familiar with the rest of the house. This way, the kitty gets comfortable living with the new smell mixed with the old furniture.
