Pet Health: Ask the Kitty Guru

Question: I am a four year old neutered domestic shorthair. In a few short weeks my human faimily and I will be moving to a new home several states away, and I am feeling upset by all of the changes. Is there anything my family can do to help me adjust to the new home? What would the be the best way for me to travel to the new place?

Answer:No doubt about it moving is tough on us cats. We really don't like change but sometimes change is necessary (certainly it is preferable to being left behind!). Moving is stressful for humans too, and we cats tend to pick up on this stress. With careful planning and attention to detail your family can make moving less of an ordeal for you. Cats that have moved before tend to fare better than animals that have lived in one place for most of their lives. Most cats find moving less stressful if their humans stick to a regular routine amidst the hustle and bustle of packing. They should maintain normal meal and play times. When it comes time for the moving of furniture and boxes, a room should be set aside as a sanctuary for any stressed out kitties. Before moving day, kitty will need a collar and identification tag with the new address and phone number.

Once in the new home a room should be set aside for the cat. Have food, water, litter box, toys and bedding available. Kitty should be confined at least until the moving of furniture and major unpacking has ended. Your family will need to be patient with you, because it can take cats a while to adjust to a new home. They should not be surprised if you go into hiding for a few days after the move. However, if kitty refuses to come out of hiding for meal or to use the litter box, a veterinarian should be consulted. The veterinarian can prescribe antianxiety medication that can help particularly nervous cats. Because cats are territorial and form strong attachments to places, you may feel homesick for the former home for a while.Some cats may even try to return to the previous residence. Your people should keep a close eye out for any escape attempts, and if they plan on letting you outside they shouldn't do so for at least several weeks. When you do go outside it should be from the saftey of a harness and leash for a few days so that you can become familiar and comfortable with your new surroundings.

When cats move chances are they will be traveling by car or by plane. Whether by highway or skyway kitty passengers require extra planning and effort. Most airlines will require a health certificate from a veterinarian dated within ten days of the flight. Each airline has slightly different requirements regarding flying with cats so your humans will need to contact them well in advance. To ride in the cabin with your human, you must be in a carrier that can fit under the seat. Some kitties may be too large for such cramped quarters and will need to ride in the cargo hold. For cats going under the seat, an airline approved softsided carrier will provide more room than the standard hardsided carrier. Most airlines allow only a limited number of cats in the cabin of each flight. Reserve space early. There will also be an extra fee to fly with a cat (usually around $50 per flight). If you must fly in the cargo hold, your people will want to make sure the pilot knows there is a live animal in the hold. Cargo holds are climate controlled during a flight, but they may become dangerously hot or cold if the flight is delayed on the runway. Many airlines have strict regulations about the time of day and year in which animals can be flown in cargo. Take nonstop flights whenever possible.

Car travel is only safe for cats and people if the cat is kept confined to a sturdy, escape-proof carrier. This means either a hardsided carrier with a metal grill door, or a properly secured softsided carrier. Cardboard carriers are unsuitable for long trips as most cats don't like them and can easily escape from them. An unconfined cat can distract the driver and may cause a serious accident. While on the road your family will need to stop occasionally to give you a chance to drink and use the litter box, but they shouldn't be surprised if you refuse to do either. Most cats will wait until they are either at their new home or in a motel room. You must never be left unattended in the car in hot or cold weather. If the trip will take more than a day, your people will need to reserve space at a cat-friendly lodging ahead of time. Many people are interested in sedating their cats for car travel. Usually this isn't necessary and can interfere with the cat's ability to regulate its body temperature. However if you are seriously stressed by car travel, sedation may be something that your people should discuss with your veterinarian.