Moving to a New Home with Your Cat?
Helpful Hints from Becky Hutchins and
Van Allen Apartments
Planning a move to a new home with your cat? Have you considered how to make it easier for your fabulous feline friend?
At Van Allen Apartments, the area’s first Pets are Welcome community, we welcome residents with cats.
Professional pet trainer Becky Hutchins offers tips for cat owners to help them with their big move.
- Get them used to their carrier, have it out in and available prior to the move. Start feeding them near it and when they go in, you can place treats in it. Make it a comfortable and safe place to be; maybe add a favorite blanket they like to lay on.
- If your cats were used to going outside before the move, start keeping them inside at least a week prior to the move. You don’t want to worry about having to find your cat when the movers arrive!
- Keep your cat in a separate room while moving boxes and furniture out of your home. Another option is to board them while the move is happening. Several veterinarian offices in the area can help with that.
- Once you move into your new home, let them have their own safe space. Maybe in your bedroom or a spare room. Leave the carrier open in the area with their litter box, food, and water bowls, and scratching post and toys. Let them adjust gradually and come out on their own.
Don’t forget to kitty-proof your new home! Make sure there aren’t windows with loose screens or spots where you could potentially lose your furry friend.
Once your kitty (or kitties) becomes comfortable with exploring on their own, set up an additional litter box where it will be permanently kept. You may need to gradually move the original litter box closer to the permanent one over time. This will give them time to adjust still as well.
It will also help to engage your cat in interactive play sessions so they have some positive associations in their new home. Have some great toys and treats to encourage their venturing out into their new environment!
About Becky
Becky has been professionally training dogs and people for more than a decade. She teaches classes at her training facility, Good Choice Dog Training, in Albany, NY. Becky is a certified knowledge-assessed professional dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and is an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. She is also a member of the Association for Professional Dog Trainers.
Becky volunteers her time as a dog trainer with the Albany Damien Center’s PAWS program, helping clients with HIV/AIDS manage and care for their dogs, and also works with shelter dogs at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in Menands, NY. She also holds special classes for foster dogs in rescue from local rescue organizations
Becky has trained and competed with her own dogs in agility and obedience, earning multiple titles and awards. She currently has one Labrador retriever, two Cairn terriers, a Pitbull, and two cats. To contact Becky Hutchins, visit www.goodchoicedogtraining.net.
About Van Allen Apartments
Van Allen Apartments offers luxurious living for you and the ones you love. The community boasts a clubhouse, swimming pool, and fitness club. Apartments feature oversized kitchen islands, granite countertops, and a balcony or patio to relax and enjoy your coffee.
More than pet-friendly, Van Allen is truly pet welcoming with no breed restrictions, a pet grooming center, dog parks, and a walking trail.
Your Amedore-built home is nestled in a large wooded area and managed by professionals of the highest caliber from Sunrise Management & Consulting.
To schedule a time to see Van Allen Apartments or to join our mailing list, please visit www.VanAllenApartments.com.
