This is not only kitten season but also the time of year (with school out for the summer) when families move. We have two neighbors in the process right now. Both dads have been transferred due to the companies they work for moving out of the area. One family has two cats and the other has a cat and two dogs. Our cat friends, Savvy and Sage from Savannah’s Paw Tracks, also will be moving at the end of the summer.
Moving is stressful for the entire family and can cause your pets to experience anxiety. Cats especially don’t like change. From listing, with prospective buyers traipsing through your home, to selling and the actual packing and relocation to new surroundings, stress can intensify.
By following the tips in the infographic below, you can provide a less stressful move for both your family and your pets.
I’d like to thank Taylor’s Relocations of Adelaide and Melbourne, Australia, for their infographic. And I’d like to offer a few additional moving tips of my own:
- If you are one of those individuals or families who do allow your pet to go outside, stop doing so at least a few days prior to the move. You do not want to be packed and ready to leave and unable to find kitty.
- Do not leave open packing boxes around the house. We know how much kitties love boxes, and we’ve all heard stories about cats being sealed in moving boxes.
- If you are still planning on allowing kitty outdoors after moving, it is essential that you wait several weeks before doing so. And when you do allow this, go with your feline friend and only stay out ten or fifteen minutes at a stretch. Allow puss to become familiar with its new surroundings while under your supervision. I suggest continuing to accompany your pet for a few weeks.
I know from first hand experience that cats will try to return to the home they know. When I was six years old, our cat, Tiger, walked back to our old house. By the time we were reunited he was in such bad shape my parents had no recourse but to have him euthanized.
Better yet, this could be the right time to retrain your pet to be an inside kitty only. Extra playtime with you can help eliminate some of the anxiety and pent-up energy of your now housebound cat.
If you are planning a move this summer, Kitties Blue hope you will find these tips to be helpful. And if you have any additional ones to share, please do so in a comment.
Get Ready to Party
On Caturday we will be celebrating Calista Jo’s third birthday. We’ll “doll” her up for the celebration as well as Athena and Marie’s Caturday Art Blog Hop. Hope you will join us. We’ll be giving away some swag from the BlogPaws conference.
Special Father’s Day Sunday Selfies
We’ll be sharing a special selfie for Father’s Day, and we look forward to seeing what each of you have to offer. Consider including your dad in your photo. Of course, anything goes, and all anipals are invited.
We had our best turnout last week with 60 entries (including our own). And we only have a couple more blogs to visit. It warms our hearts that so many of our friends enter every week and that we continue to have new entrants. Thanks!