WRITTEN BY: HEIDE BRANDES
SueJin Yi, of Yukon, is no stranger to moving. In the past 10 years, she’s moved to 10 different places, and in each move, she took her cats with her.
“I have moved with cats for 10 years. I just moved all four of my cats to Yukon (in January),” she said. “The way I prepare them for a move is, I spray their kennels with calming spray, and I place a calming diffuser in at least one room of the new house. Only Blitz had issues, but he’s a bit high strung. I used to have him on anxiety medication, and I may need to get him back on them.”
Moving is a stressful time for anyone, but the transition can be especially stressful for pets. Animals are notoriously territorial, so being transplanted from a familiar environment to a new environment can be tremendously upsetting to your furry family members.
While the entire family is dealing with preparing and moving to a new home, the time is going to be a little more chaotic for your dog or cat, no matter what you do. However, there are some steps you can take to make a big move a little easier for your furry friend.
MOVING IS HARD ON EVERYONE
According to OnePoll, on behalf of North American Van Lines, an October survey found 64% of respondents said their most recent move was one of the most stressful things they’ve ever experienced. In fact, according to the survey, moving ranked highest in stressful events, even above divorce, marriage or having children.
Many pets pick up on that stress and feel anxious. Both cats and dogs prefer routines and schedules, and new and sudden moving-related tasks can be startling to a pet. In addition, as the family rushes around trying to pack and arrange boxes, the pets also get less attention, which could cause additional worry.
Lara A. Sypniewski, DVM, DABVP (canine/feline) Henthorne Clinical Professor of Small Animal Medicine at Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, said it’s common for pets to pick up on worries and anxieties.
“It is important to keep a sense of normalcy during times of stress with your pet. If possible, try to keep to your normal sleep schedules, provide consistent positive reinforcement and offer plenty of play and/or cuddle time with your pet; they need reassurance as their environment changes,” she said.
Cats are hunters, instinctively avoid danger and prefer to be in control of their situation. Moving is the ultimate stress for a cat, Sypniewski said.
“Packing up a home, changing jobs/schedules, being restrained in a carrier, car rides of any time length and resettling in a foreign place is very upsetting for our feline friends,” she said. “Cats will show fear in three major ways: they will hide, flee or become aggressive.”
Common signs of stress in cats include loss of appetite, redirected aggression, inappropriate urination and/or defecation and repetitive behaviors (i.e., over-grooming). These behaviors can certainly impact both the human family and other pets in the home environment.
Dogs are pack animals and will look to their human “pack” for reassurance. In dogs, stress signs include a change in appetite, development of repetitive behaviors (i.e., pacing, over-grooming), loss of motivation to play or explore, inappropriate elimination and aggression.
HOW TO ALLEVIATE MOVING STRESS FOR PETS
Giving a cat a sense of control is important in alleviating the stress of a move.
“I feel this is best done by providing familiar bedding, toys, treats and limiting their new environment to a small, less hectic space. For example, if you move into a new home, set up a quiet guest room or a bathroom—a small kitty condominium—in the house for your cat while all the commotion is happening in the new space,” said Sypniewski.
“Dogs need similar adjustments/accommodations as the move takes place, but they will also benefit from increased environmental enrichment activities, such as increased play time and walks. Increasing their physical activity can help them with any nervous energy they may have, and it is a great bonding opportunity. Positively reinforce good behavior and be patient with setbacks.”
DO MEDICATIONS HELP?
There are a number of natural and medical interventions that can be used during a move for both cats and dogs. Products that mimic natural pheromones in both dogs and cats may help reduce anxiety; these are available as diffusers, sprays and collars.
“Deciding on a medical intervention, using a pharmaceutical, is definitely a discussion to have with your veterinarian,” Sypniewski said. “If you contact your veterinarian prior to a move, they can help you proactively prepare your pet for the move, support you throughout and intervene if necessary. I do not recommend giving any sedatives to your pet without talking to your veterinarian.”
NEW HOME FOR FLUFFY
Medications can also help if your pets suffer from car sickness, said Sypniewski, and finding creative ways to positively reinforce the car ride is important.
“When driving with your pet, please bring a recent health certificate and your veterinary records just in case. Never leave pets unattended in a parked car regardless of the ambient temperature,” she said.
“Consider creating a travel kit for your pet, including any current medications, their leash, fresh food and water, bowls, waste disposal bags, or litter and litterbox. Always consider bathroom breaks when driving, but take care when you are entering/leaving the car to make sure they do not escape.”
Once you’ve introduced your pets to the new home, you’ll need patience while they get used to their new surroundings.
“Biggest tip I have? Even if the cats seem fine, keeping them in a small area for at least a week reduces any anxiety reactions,” said SueJin. “I made that mistake once because Liranae seemed fine after a move. She ended up marking everything that didn’t smell like one of us. A house needs time to change scents.”
SueJin said she likes to keep the cats in one room of the new house with familiar toys and blankets. Sometimes she even sleeps with them in that room, and she makes sure to give them extra attention and comfort.
“I don’t let them into the rest of the house until after I have something familiar to them with my scent on it in every room,” she said. “I let them slowly explore the new place. It takes Blitz a few weeks to adjust, but DD seems fine. Liranae and Chaos have never had issues with moving. Like kids, the cats all react differently.”
