Over the past five years, my cats have moved with me five times. We’ve lived in Florida, Pennsylvania, and California in accommodations ranging from sprawling waterfront properties to temporary, tiny apartments with windows facing only one direction. Yet each time, within a day or so, my cats are playing and purring in the new place, proclaiming it as their new domain.
What’s my secret? Step up your communication with your cat before, during, and after the move. Strange as it may sound, I talk to my cats a few weeks before the move and let them know what will happen. Yes, strange, beefy men will be coming in and out of the house carting away furniture and belongings. I try to convey a sense of excitement and adventure. And, taking a lesson from the many realtors I’ve hired, I speak of the perks of the new place. There will be plenty of windowsills where you can perch and bird watch. Yes, this one does have a set of stairs for your nightly workouts, and yes, it does come with an enclosed screened porch.

Holistic Helpers
In the days preceding the move I treat my cats to extra massages (see pages 16–17 for instructions) to help them relax. At the suggestion of some holistic veterinarians, I also add a few drops of Rescue Remedy to my cats’ water bowl, starting about 2 weeks before the Big Move. This homeopathic medicine contains a collection of flower essences that naturally help your cat fight stress and feel calm. (It’s inexpensive and available at most health food stores and even most drug stores). At the same time, I add a few drops to my glass of water,
because cats are savvy about reading our emotions. When you feel calm, it helps them to feel calm. Try it! You both may benefit.

Moving Day

Before you move your cat, run a slightly damp towel across your cat’s back. Bring the towel with you to your new place and rub it on the walls, floors, and furniture there. Your cat will recognize his own scent and feel more at ease in the new surroundings.
On moving day, keep your cats inside an empty room (a large bathroom or spare bedroom, depending on the locale). Stock the room with these items:
A portable radio set on a pop rock station to help drown out the sounds of moving
A few favorite cat toys, like catnip mice, shoelaces, and a paper wad
The cats’ scratching post
Food and water bowls with a few treats
A couple of T-shirts that you have worn at least once but not yet washed
The litter box
Pet carriers tucked in the corner, with their doors propped open (secure the door in the open position so that a curious cat won’t accidentally shut the door and become trapped inside)
The cats should be the last to be packed and the first to be unloaded once you reach your destination. Before the first box is unloaded off the moving van, place the cats and all the accoutrements you had supplied them with in the old home inside an empty room in the new home. By providing familiar sights, sounds, and smells in a new place, you help your cats adjust to it faster. Wait a few hours after the final boxes are unpacked before letting your cats explore the other parts of the home, one room at a time. Start with rooms with doors you can close and let the cats explore at their own pace. When they seem comfortable in one room, move them on to the next one. This step-by-step introduction builds their confidence and contentment.