Moving across the country with a cat can be challenging. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you move your cat from one location to another.
1. Get That Vet Visit Out of the Way
The first step in planning a cross-country move for your cat is to schedule a vet visit. You may be wondering why this is necessary. A cat despises a vet as much as the vet enjoys treating the cat. So, if you intend to travel with your cat, make an appointment with your veterinarian a few months ahead of time.
This also ensures that the cat does not catch a glimpse of what you intend to do.
If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll notice that cats hate changing environments. The move forces them to adapt to new scents and spots, and that’s not convenient.
What’s more, visiting the veterinarian ahead of time will allow you to clarify the necessary tests that should be performed before embarking on the journey. You will also learn about state laws that make certain cat vaccinations mandatory or optional.
Besides, you may not be allowed to enter a state with your cat if you haven’t completed the required vaccinations mandated by law. Thus, it is best to inquire during a vet visit sooner than later.
2. Get Your Carriers Months Ahead of Time
The carriers are your only option for traveling with your cat. It’s a good idea to plan ahead of time because you never know when a policy will change.
Assuming you’re traveling with your cat and need to book lodging, even if it’s through Airbnb. To ensure your cat’s safety, animal laws require that it be contained at that time.
It is the same even if you are traveling by plane or car.
And the simplest way to effectively put these issues to rest is to order your carriers months in advance.
3. Warn Movers That You Have an Animal
Best way to move cross country with cats is to inform movers that you have an animal.
It’s better safe than sorry.
While you are not required to be the first to warn movers, doing so instinctively can save you a lot of trouble.
Since not all movers will ask if you have a pet, informing them ahead of time can make the moving process smoother.
Why is this important?
You want to avoid unforeseen accidents while the movers are busy with their job.
Therefore, you need to take precautions to ensure that your cat does not escape during that time.
You can have them over at a friend’s or family’s house before the movers come around. Overall, the main idea is to protect your cat before traveling with it cross-country.
4. ID Your Animal Properly
The significance of identifying your cat may not be clear to you until your most adored pet is lost or stolen. In other parts of the world, there have been numerous cases of lost cats in the United States, so it is best to save yourself the headache.
Putting identity tags on your cat before transporting it cross-country makes it easier for passers-by to identify its owner and home. Cat-ID labels typically include the owner’s phone number and address.
Furthermore, when movers arrive to expedite the moving process, cats are always terrified during that time.
Your cat is aware that you will be traveling and can decipher the implications of the movement of luggage and the appearance of new faces in the house.
And when this happens, most of the time, these felines escape from the house, which is where the ID tags come in handy. After all, what other methods are there for locating a misplaced pet?
5. Stay Calm While Packing
Though packing is not the time to be calm, appearing agitated may not benefit your cat during relocation.
So it’s not a good idea to give your pet the impression that you’re up to something.
Take your time and pack up your stuff. Maintain regular air breaths, act as if everything is fine, and notice how your feelings react to your body movement.
Your little pet will have no idea what’s going on, so relax and do your pre-travel packing calmly while maintaining a steady breath.
6. Introduce Pets to Their Travel Environment
Regardless of how comfortable you make your pet feel when traveling, it will take some time and a lot of catching up for your little feline to get used to a new environment. Different atmospheres, unusual fresh breath, new environmental tools and equipment, and varying locations frighten cats greatly.
As a result, it is best to abandon the idea of forcing your feline to adjust to a new environment. Instead, give the animal a spot in her favorite location.
A dark room is an excellent place to start. Ensure the carrier is neatly arranged and accompanied by a neat, clean blanket, pillow, and do everything you can to keep her in this space. If there is enough comfort for the cat, you will notice that the small space created is where she will run for comfort when she is scared.
If this continues, you will be astounded by the outcome: your cat will adapt to the new environment much faster.
It is also essential to consider the visitor factor. Introducing your cats to new friends should not be done hastily. Allow some time for the little feline to blend, and you’ll notice that things will naturally move in the right direction.
7. Keep Your Cats Secure on Moving Day
When moving cross country with cats, one of the most important considerations is their safety. This is especially important if you’re going to be moving with her to another location during the day.
Keep in mind that your feline will be meeting a lot of new faces and may act nervous as a result. The simplest way to keep it safe is to confine your cat to a room with a carrier and litter. Your little feline will be unconcerned about what’s happening because she’s been given her favorite dark enclosed space.
It will not be good for your cat if it runs away because it is afraid of strange faces. To be safe, keep it locked and comfortable away from the actions caused by rush hour during prime travel time.
8. Use Calming Sprays
A calming spray is one of the artificial methods of dealing with the stress associated with moving a feline.
Allowing your cat to go through the stress of moving abroad without using calming sprays is unfair. Calming sprays are widely available, so there should be no reason not to get one for your cat.
Cats are highly sensitive creatures who rely heavily on their breath. While a bad breath indicates nervousness and anxiety, a good breath can work wonders. When this spray is applied, it changes your cat’s breath. It will calm the cat’s nerves and usher in a relaxed breath that will be able to stand up to any negative emotions your cat may have on the day of the relocation.
Nonetheless, you might want to take a natural route to calm your lovely little feline. Yes, most people prefer to do things the natural way, and if you are one of them, it is understandable that you would not want to use calming sprays.
Using botanical drops to relieve your pet’s stress is a natural way to do so. Be assured that this method will also produce a good result, although it is all about getting the quantity of these drops just right.
9. Pack Food, Water, Comfort Items and Litter Within Easy Reach
Being scared and hungry at the same time is never a good combination.
Given the stress of moving cross country, food will help your cat feel more relaxed and less anxious. Is wet food your cat’s preferred diet? Before proceeding, make sure they’re well-packaged. What about those easy-to-eat pet treats? Bring them along as well!
It would be best to carry a gallon of water with you to keep your feline hydrated. Bottom line, bring comfort items such as water, food, a carrier, and a blanket, among other things. Keep these items close to you while driving. This is done to ensure easy access to them when lodging.
10. Get Storage Out of the Way Ahead of Time
The last but not least tip on how to travel cross country with your cat is to plan ahead of time for storage. The time leading up to when you’ll be traveling with your feline can bring about a slew of actions and reactions. For example, your cat may become more sensitive, making it safe to pack early – and, of course, this will depend on what you intend to do.
If you only want to keep a small portion of your household items while traveling, it is best to reserve a storage unit ahead of time. You’ll make time for your little feline as a result. Your cat requires that attention and care to reduce tensions and get it back on track emotionally. Building trust with your pet is essential, but how can you do that if you still have storage scores to settle?
So, pack ahead of time, get the storage unit set up efficiently, and spend quality time with your cat.
Cats are sensitive to unfamiliar faces and environments and can quickly get frightened. If these circumstances arise, it is best to be prepared to deal with them.
You must take certain precautions, such as carrying comfort items, when moving cross-country with your cat. As discussed in the article, you must also make changes to your traveling habits to keep the cat calm for the duration of the journey. Applying all of the tips outlined ensures that your cat travels with you peacefully across the country.
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