Advice For Moving

Hi all!

We are moving in May, and I was wondering if anyone has tips to reduce the stress for my cat through all of it. He is a rescue from this neighborhood, and I feel bad we are taking him away from it. I want to be as prepared as possible.

I have started slowly bringing out moving boxes and I plan on plugging in a feliway diffuser a few weeks before the move +in the new house too.

I’ve been told about calming treats, but he has allergy issues, and not so sure I can use them.

I plan to also hopefully get him used to the car, by sitting inside of it with him with the engine off, to eventually going on mini drives around the block. Will that even help? (I know he currently hates it)

Anyone have links to other useful products I could use? Any tips? Thanks!

I'm glad you are thinking about this subject and asking questions prior to your move.
Here are two Articles which discuss how to move with your cat and adjust to a new home:
How To Move With Your Cat To A New Home In A Safe Way
How To Help A New Cat Adjust To Your Home

Best of luck with your move and good luck in your new home.

I think the idea of getting him used to the carrier going to the car is great. If you're in or near town, take him with you if you run to the bank drive through or a carry out. Keep it short.
I want to mention that once you actually move into the new place, choose a room or a section of the house that will be quieter and won't involve a lot of open doors or chaos and keep him in there for a day or two (or more). Once he's comfortable with that room or section of the new joint open the door up to another room or section of the new house, and let him explore on his own. If he spooks and runs, let him hide, don't try to drag him out. Let him explore at his own pace. Be jovial and pretend nothing is wrong, when you're confident, so are they.
My own experience is we worry over them but they adjust to a move better than we do, if we prepare them and let them do their thing when they're good and ready.
Happy new home to you all!!

No advice for car trip. But I had good results with Feliway plugins after the move. My cats did not want to be confined to a single room but they were cranky and restless. They kept pacing back and forth and wouldn’t sleep. This went on for a little over a day until I found the plugin and it immediately calmed them enough to sleep. Kept it plugged for a week and everything was fine.

Thank-you all so much!!

My parents take their cat on camping holidays with them. They got one of those Feliway plug ins for their car and started by just sitting in the car with her, feeding her treats and petting her. Next they tried turning the engine on. When the cat got used to that they started driving around the block with her.

She's always in her carrier and the carrier is strapped to the back seat of the car, but their cat is so used to road trips she sleeps the whole way now.

https://www.feliway.com/us

When I moved with 6 cats last year, I was sure to keep their cat trees and favorite spots still available. I tried to keep the boxes in one corner of each room. I also was certain to keep their routine as similar as possible.

We moved only an hour away. My vet prescribed something that helped them relax and sleep a bit. It did help for the drive. They were drowsy. Once to the new house, I put them in one room with their cat tree and other favorite blankets and toys. They stayed in the room until the movers were gone and the house was not in complete disarray.

I had many feliways plugged in and also used Composure liquid max and calming treats. I also played soft music in their room.