I have four cats, and am getting ready to move. Is there anything I can do to make the transition easier? ?

Question

Last time I moved, they acted really strange. Two of them fought with one another for a couple of months. I really don't want this to happen again.

Answer 1

Spray Feliway in the carrier, as it will make the journey easier.

You are really going to a place with all new sights, sounds, and more importantly, scents.  That makes for some real issues with some cats, and apparently it includes yours.

If you are using scooping litter, scoop out the clumps, but bring along the litter, as it will give them a familiar scent and may be reassuring.  It also will let them know exactly where the litter pan is.

You probably have some territorial issues involved with the new place.  Normally, in a multi-cat household, having vertical separations is the key to a smooth running home.  By that, the ability to cross the room at a different level becomes important, so if one cat is on the floor, can the other cross from furniture to furniture?

Answer 2

I would say tranquilizers might make the initial transition a lot more comfortable for all of them. Go if possible to the new place and get their toys and blankets and things they like over there. Then bring them in and set them all in comfy spots and let them wake up there. If you can take a few days to spend with them when you move it might help them feel more at home.

Answer 3

They do make a medication for animals to help them relax. They have prescription and natural. I would look into that. Also try to find one place that you can put them that they won't be disturbed too much by moving. Also if you can leave them long enough in the place you live until things are in the house and then go back for them that might help too. Make sure you don't leave them more than a day though. With food, litter, water, and toys.  

Answer 4

Give them a blanket that smells like you to cling too for awhile so they feel safe.  If they sleep with you bring the same bed.  Also try a feline Pheromone spary to calm them. I think this is avalable at the Vets office or pet store.  If that does not work my grandmother said to put butter on their paws to keep them occupied.

Answer 5

Just read these.  They worked SOOOO well for me.

http://moving.about.com/od/movingwithpet...

http://moving.about.com/od/movingwithpet...

http://moving.about.com/b/2008/01/18/tip...

Answer 6

well you coud tell some one to drive and you can put your cats in a basket thingy and with a blanket

you than hold the cats in your lap and it make them feel safer so they won't jump around

Answer 7

give them some catnip! it makes them forget about anything!

Answer 8

If you can try taking them to the future house a few times before you move and give them food in it, let them play and all around get comfortable with it. That way it wont be such a shock when you actually move

Answer 9

Any change is hard for the kitties. They like stability. However, what I did when I moved helped some with the transition. I left one room "intact". Meaning, I left it the way it was furniture wise. I packed everything in this room that was inside something and put the boxes out in the living room. ( I decided to leave my bedroom intact because that is where they escape to when they are stressed) I packed up the rest of the house and I had everything loaded into the van while leaving them in the bedroom with their world intact. Once everything but that room had been packed, I then placed the kids in their crates and after that, I packed up the last room. Then we traveled to the new place. I then unpacked the bedroom first and placed it almost exactly the same way it was in the old house. Once that was finished, I put the cats in that room and shut the door. Then I finished the rest of the house.

  This way, they have some comfortable surroundings and things they are used to. They also don't have to watch while their world is turned upside down. It's pretty freaky to a cat to see that the solid house they once knew to be secure is suddenly becoming barren and things that are not suppose to move have disappeared.