Kelly-Anne Kidston
Try and ensure that all your cat’s essential items (sometimes called ‘resources’) are purchased and/or in place before they arrive 😉 Your cat’s litter tray should be placed in one corner of the room, away from the door, their feeding area, water, beds and hiding places 😉 Food and water bowls should be separate from each other but within easy reach of the ‘hidey holes’ you have created in the room. A tall and rigid scratching post will help your cat to maintain their claws and allow them to deposit familiar scents from glands in their paws to help them settle in. You can leave toys in the settling in room, but only those that your cat can safely play with when you’re not there. For example, small toy mice rather than fishing rod toys with string attached.
Early on the day of the move, put your cat in one room with all doors and windows closed so that you know that your cat is safe and can be found when it is time to go. It’s a good idea to pop a sign on the door so that everyone involved with the move knows to keep the door closed. Feed your cat in the morning but not too close to moving time in case of illness during the journey (scroll down to read about travelling with your cat). If you think your cat is likely to become frustrated in the one room or if you are worried that someone might accidently let them out, then you might want to consider booking them into a cattery for one or two days.
