Welcome to Catstar’s Wednesday Cat! Every week we share stories from one of the cat-loving cat stars. This week we’re talking about Crystal and her soul cat, Ivy.
Hello Catstar!
The last time we spoke, I was touched by the scary F-word: chisels! I sincerely hope that everyone who read that story has since checked the flea with a cat, or at least reminded me of the importance of matching the flea medication.
This week we’re talking about moving! I’ll share some things that really helped Ivy and me.
After living in our first complex for about a year, we decided it was time to move. After many searches, phone calls and emails with agents, I finally found the perfect fit! A small, intricate hidden gem surrounded by greenery, gardens and trees.
The preparations for the trip were in full swing, and the moving days arrived earlier than I expected. I was very nervous about how Ivy handled the movements – it was my first time moving with her, and to be honest, I really should do what I should do, where to move from She really didn’t know if she should make sure it was as easy as possible.
Luckily, cat stars have many resources with tips to move with your cat, and they really helped me when it came to reassuring and preparing my heart.
There have been a few things we did, but I think it made a huge difference in calming her down and making the situation best possible.
1. Calm yourself
Let’s face it: movement is stressful. And wow, I was stressed! I was highlighted about preparation for movement, actual movement, and the aftermath of movement. But I’m calmed down, stuck to our normal routine and not that it’s a big deal that basically all of us were in a box ready to move to a new destination I tried my best to act. I think it’s a good job to stay calm. But don’t ask anyone else!
2. A calm collar
I was very skeptical of calming the collar – for no real reason, I was free! However, I decided to buy it anyway. Certainly there is no real way to communicate, but I think the calm collar made a difference. A few days before we moved when we started packing, we placed a soothing collar.
As everyone knows, most cats can feel when the change is coming, and basically our whole house is packed into a box so I think she’s going to have something happen I was sure I knew that. It had a collar so she didn’t seem to care about the world. Of course, she loved every box!
The calm collar helped me move. Usually she hates being in a career and not being in a car. Because it usually means going to a scary vet. But she was surprisingly calm and exposed to both of them. Luckily, it was just a 30-minute drive.
3. Creating a safe room
Our new townhouse has two bedrooms and we have become a comfortable and safe place in one of the rooms where everything is her. Her cat trees, trash cans, toys, food bowls and scrackers were all placed in the room prior to their arrival. We put her in the room until we’re all inside the house and all strangers leave the house!
4. Allow her to explore
When the extremely long and moving day finally ends, it’s time for her to explore her new space! Her curiosity was the best ever. I wondered what she was thinking. The view from the window was different, so the layout of the house was, well, all It was different! A few days later we moved hers to their new designated location. I also made sure to have her scented items in each room. In my opinion, this would make her feel like she was there before.
5. Stick to normal routines
We confirmed that she was still fed at the same time and got treats every morning on the cat tree perch. I think what made this process even easier was the fact that I could work from home. Essentially, nothing changed except the space we were in.
These things helped Ivy and us a lot, but I think she’s a very adaptable kitten. She wasn’t hiding, and even Skittish had no idea about it either. She was her normal, confident self. Within a few days she was running around the house as if she owned the place, but it looked as if she had lived there for the rest of her life.
Ivy really surprised me and made me honestly think. Instead of me helping her throughout the travel and adjustment period, she helped me even more.
Our inspiring experiences are not as stressful as the others I have read and heard. For that reason, I am extremely grateful!
I want to know: if you can give someone advice on moving with a cat, what would it be?
Thank you for reading, Catstar! Until next time.
This article features Crystal and Ivy in Wednesday’s Cats of Cat Star series.
