We are staying the same state and city, but would like any tried and true tips on moving with 3 cats and 1 dog. We don't have to worry about any human children.
Answers:
Before the move, be sure your pets all have their identity tags with your NEW address and phone number. That way, if they by accident get lost in their new neighborhood the neighbors will know where to call immediately.
Give the cats plenty of time to get used to the house. Shut them up in just one room and let them take their time getting used to the smells, sounds, windows, etc. Positions of everything in the house is really important to them, and furniture being moved around, items changed just upsets them. Reduce the stress of their move by getting them into a closed room that won't be accidentally opened, so you won't have to worry about them--get their litter pan, food and water in there and leave them alone for a day or two.
When we moved to a new home, in the same city, we had 2 cats, and 2 dogs (plus a few small animals).
We made two trips. One with the cats in their carriers, and another with the dogs.
Crate them both while moving out of the old place and while moving into the new.
Better yet - board them at a doggie daycare or kennel facility, a friends house, or even your vet while you are busy transferring all the other "stuff". Once things are settled pick them up and take them "home" to the new place.
I always knew my cats had accepted a new home when, after inspecting everything, they sat down and began cleaning themselves.
Best to pick everybody up a little before dinnertime so they have time for a "tour" (outdoors too in the case of the dog) then feed them so they know where their food %26 water bowls are located.
Make sure the cats know where the litter box is, even if you have to leave it in the middle of the living room and gradually shift it to (wherever)
If your cats are "outdoor" cats, keep them in for a week or more once you are in the new place.
* * * *
My vet runs maybe $10/day for boarding. And that is for an overnight stay with meals.
Is there any chance they are due for IZ's anyway and you could "drop them off" for those, then not go back until later in the day? My vet offers drop off service for vaccines...
Does the new house have a (initially empty) bedroom you can put the dog in (in its crate) and possible even just a bathroom for the cats with a blanket in the tub for their bed and put signs on the doors of those rooms, saying DO NOT OPEN! PETS WILL ESCAPE! Do you not have a friend or family member who could watch them?
last year we moved with 3 cats... now with our cats, we have one that is like a puppy dog and likes to look out windows, so he's not in a carrier, we have a second one that cries her head off, so she was not in a carrier as well, she goes under the driver's seat and then the third one has to be in a carrier (even though he cries) because he gets car sick... we were lucky enough to take them down to my inlaws for the day while we moved everything else. but when we moved them, we did the same as i explained above. we also had to take them out of the house when we had people coming to look at it, so driving around with 3 cats, rather than just sit there in the car, was not a fun experience...
Most importantly, KEEP THE CATS INDOORS for at LEAST a month. Otherwise they might return to their former house. They need to know where HOME is.
Secondly, keep their routine as close to normal as possible. Feed them at the same times as always, same food, same dishes. If they have special beds or toys they like, make sure those are readily available in the new house.
Also, although moving can be very stressful, you have to really try NOT to let the stress show when you are around the animals. They will pick up on it and it will scare them. Try to remain calm and loving.
Pets are pretty adaptable, as long as they have their humans around. Give them plenty of love, attention and patience and things should be fine.
Good luck in your new home!
Whenever we bring our cat to the vet we put her in our little pet taxi.
Or we just bring her without it, she douse fine without it.
Maybe you could get a Kitty collar and leash for each of your cats, I've seen some people use them.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment