Moving with a Cat

If you and your feline friend are moving to the mile high city, there are some things that you should keep in mind. Not only is that move itself stressful for your cat, but living in a new environment can give them a run for their money. If you have an outdoor cat, moving to Denver could potentially change that. There is a large feral cat population, so if your kitty doesn't exactly get along with others, you might not want to let them roam free in your neighborhood. If you are moving with your cat to Denver and you aren't quite sure what to do, here are some tips for you.

Think about how stressful moving is for humans. Now multiply that by 10 and that is what your cat is going through. Cats are territorial creatures and being uprooted and moved to a new location can be hard for them, especially if they are more mature. A few weeks before your move, start introducing a carrier to your furry friend. If they are already used to being in a carrier that is one less thing you have to worry about. If your cat is not used to it, leave it open in a place that your cat visits regularly. Start putting their food closer and closer to it, and eventually put their food inside the carrier. You can also use treats to lure them into their new carrier. Once they are used to it, the move will go that much smoother.

When you start introducing the carrier, also introduce moving boxes. Cats of all sizes love boxes, so this can be fun for your kitty. It will also introduce them to the idea that something is changing. On moving day make sure to keep your cat isolated in a room that can be left alone for the majority of the day. One thing you could do is empty the room prior to the day of the move, and leave your cat, its carrier, and a few empty boxes in the room. This will keep them not only occupied, but also out of harm's way. Make sure to let everyone involved with the move know that that room needs to be kept off limits in order to prevent your cat from escaping.

When you make it to Denver there are some things to think about. There is a large feral cat population, and there is also a Trap-Neuter-Release program in place to help combat the issue. So that means there is probably a strong presence of cats in your neighborhood, and introducing your cat into that might not be the best idea. If your cat doesn't like other cats, keep your cat inside. If you do decide to let them roam free, make sure they have a collar. With the TNR program in place they could potentially be trapped and taken to the vet to be neutered, and that is just unnecessary stress for all parties involved.