Dealing with Removals and Cats

Posted on 28/04/2015

Moving with pets is like moving with children. Pets do not like the idea of change at all. They are more accustomed to the concept of familiarity. Having to move into a new house where they will be surrounded by new environments inside the home and out, is going to make them very anxious.

Similarly, your removal process is going to be slightly harder since you now have to worry about loading the van or truck, and looking after your pet and ensuring that it is not too distressed.

Pets such as hamsters, rabbits and fish are easier to deal with. Simply make sure that their dietary needs are taken care of. Food and water supply should never run out. However, pets such as cats are harder to handle because they are more open compared to fish or hamsters. They are used to roaming around free whenever and wherever they please.

Your cat is not going to understand what is going on. Seeing boxes everywhere where once your sofa you’re your cat’s bed was is going to confuse it dearly.

With you spending more time packing and getting ready for the removal day, your cat will develop deprivation symptoms and may feel neglected since you will have no time to cuddle or play with it.

As a pet owner, you need to take it upon yourself to ensure that your pet is well prepared to move. This cannot be done overnight, and steps need to be taken as early on as possible.

If you are moving abroad, you need to ensure that your cat is up to date with all needed vaccinations. You also need to ensure that you have found a pet friendly removal service where your pet will feel most comfortable.

If you are moving nationally, keeping your cat in a cattery is an option. That way your cat will not be in the way whilst you are preparing for your removal. Keeping it at the cattery may make it feel a little more comfortable since it will not have to see its surroundings become boxed up.

If the thought of your cat living in a cattery does not please you, there are things in the home that you can do. If you are not going to hire professional pet removers and want to do the job yourself, you need to get the cat used to being in an enclosed carrier.

Cats usually panic when they are places in a cat carrier. Therefore, you should regularly place your cat in a carrier a few days before removal day arrives. The carrier should be placed in an empty room so that you can get on with your removal preparations, whilst your cat gets used to being alone.

Under a lot of pressure, and with your cat in a carrier in the next room, you even forget that your cat exists! No matter what, do not forget to feed your cat and check in from time to time. Make sure your cat has a favourite toy with them and that their litter tray is there.

Every cat owner would say that the cat is a part of the family. This is why exactly you would not want to leave your cat behind when moving is concerned. However, moving and removing when there is a cat in the house is hard. Additionally, the removal will make your cat very anxious and distressed. But by following the right procedures, you can make moving and removing a lot easier, not only for yourself, but also for your beloved cat.