Is moving to a new home stressful for a cat?
It's well known that dogs become attached to their people, and cats to their homes. So, when we move to a new place, a dog isn't the least bit upset because its beloved owners are nearby. But for a cat, moving is usually a personal tragedy. After all, it loses what's so dear to it: favorite hiding spots, ambush sites, observation posts, and so on. But what does it gain in return? How does a cat feel in a new home, and how can you help it?
A new house and a cat in it
A completely unfamiliar, unsniffed place, possibly full of dangers. And it's still unclear whether they'll be able to hide safely. Due to such stress, the cat may become aggressive, start defecating inconspicuously, and even stop eating and drinking. Of course, this will be an additional source of anxiety for the owners during the move. Therefore, it's important to prepare in advance for the cat's new home.
So, it's best to transport your whiskered friend after all her belongings, including cat bowls, litter boxes, and houses, have been transported and put back in place. The presence of familiar smells in the new place will help calm her down a bit.
How should an owner behave with a cat?
When a cat arrives at its new home, its first instinct will likely be to hide. Don't interfere, as this will only increase its panic. Go about your business calmly.
Sooner or later, curiosity will get the better of her, and the whiskered creature will crawl out to investigate. Don't get too excited about this—it will only frighten her, and the shaggy little creature will immediately return to her previous position.
It can temporarily restore a cat's lost optimism. Don't interfere with your cat as she slowly explores her new territory, room by room. But... if she's used to going outside, it's best to avoid walks altogether for the first few days in the new place. As a last resort, you can use cat harnessThen your pet won't get lost and won't return to its previous home.
What if you're going on vacation and want to let your cat stay with relatives or friends for just a couple of weeks? Experience shows that it's best not to do this.
As mentioned above, cats are primarily attached to their home. And they tolerate loneliness much better than dogs.
During vacation, it's best if relatives come and groom the cat once or twice a day. The cat will cope much better with this than moving to a new home.
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