Tips for Moving Across the Country With Cats

If you have a furry feline friend that’s known only the comfort of your home since it was a kitten, there’s no way around it; by moving to another part of the country, you are about to subject your pet to what may be the worst, most stressful experience of its life.

Cats don’t like change, and react especially badly when the change is sudden and dramatic, all of which a cross country move is. You can’t simply hand your cat off to your coast to coast movers and then wait at your new home until the movers arrive. Your cat is a member of your family, and should be treated as such. Here are a few tips you should follow if you’re moving cross country and are bringing your cat.

Consider Flying

If finances allow for you to buy a new car at your new home, or you know or will hire someone else to drive your car, then look into flying to your new destination with yourself and your cat. This will be much less stress as your cat won’t have to be locked in the cat carrier for a few days, spending each night in a new, unfamiliar room.

Get The Cat Examined & Chipped

Cats can get microchips installed under their skin so that in the event of a loss, a recovered cat can be scanned and owner immediately identified. Make sure your cat has been “chipped” and vaccinated so that it has the best chance of fighting infections and possible illnesses that may come about from stress.

Research Pet Friendly Hotels

If you have to drive, always make sure you do your homework ahead of time and find places you can stay overnight that allow pets. Leaving cat locked in a car all night is inhumane, and will add even more stress to an already gruelling experience for your cat.

Bring All Your Supplies

Your cat is going to need to eat and drink. Make absolutely sure that are prepared to keep your cat fed and hydrated during this experience, as skimping on something as fundamental as meals and water will only make things worse during this experience.

Most cats will be extremely unhappy during a big move and this is unavoidable. All you can do is try to minimize the amount of stress your pet experiences, and be ready to patiently let your cat adjust to its new home when you arrive.