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3 Tips For Moving Long Distances With Your Cat

14 October 2015

Zeynel Hofkamp

Moving long distance can be difficult enough on its own; however, throw your pet cat into the mix and moving day can quickly turn into a real headache. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be like this, and making a few arrangements well in advance of the move can save you a great deal of stress while on the road. Here are three things to remember before moving with your cat:

Speak to Your Vet

When it comes to moving your cats across the country, or even to an entirely new country, it's important to put their health first. Many people make the mistake of believing that because a cat is fine on long distance drive, they will be okay on a long relocation journey. However, oftentimes this isn't the case, and it's important to have this thoroughly assessed prior to planning the move itself.

As such, your first port-of-call should be the vet's office. Have them take a look at your cat and make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. Additionally, ask them to assess your cat's suitability for their new environment, particularly if you are moving to a significantly different climate than your current neighborhood.

Decide How to Move Your Cat

Deciding which method is best for transporting your cat depends entirely on the logistics of the move itself. Typically, this will be determined by how long the distance is to your new location. Some things to keep in mind are:

• Some sources may tell you that cats should be flown into their new location if the distance is "long". However, what is considered to be "long" is relative and it's best to have an idea of how your cat reacts to long distance travel.
• If you have never traveled with your cat before, consider going on a trial run in your vehicle to gauge their response to long distance journeys.
• If you decide that flying them in is best, let your vet know of your plans well in advance. While your cat may seem fine on the surface, there are a number of health conditions (such as high blood pressure) that can become problematic at high altitudes. Therefore, you should always let your vet make the final decision regarding their suitability for air travel.
• If your vet decides your cat is unable to fly, you'll have to take them with you in your vehicle. If this is the case, plan your journey well in advance so that you can book pet-friendly accommodations..

Traveling with cats isn't as problematic as it may seem, but make sure you familiarize your cat with the vehicle prior to setting out. Cats don't like new surroundings, so make sure they are comfortable before hitting the road.

Have Plenty of Supplies at the Ready

If you do decide to move your cat by van, you're going to need a lot of supplies ready before you hit the road. A few cans of cat food won't suffice on a cross-country journey, so keep the following in mind when gathering your supplies:

• Make sure you buy canned food with a pull on top to ensure you have quick access to the food should your cat require it. Cans can be very difficult to open while on the road, so it's best to make it easy on yourself.
• Have an ample supply of tissues, paper towels and stain cleaners ready in case your cat can't wait until the next rest stop to go to the bathroom.
• Remember to pack an extra few boxes of cat litter and throw in a few soft toys to keep your cat amused if they will be traveling in the rear of the vehicle.

Packing your bag for the road while keeping your cat a priority isn't rocket science; rather, accommodating for your pet well in advance of moving day will ensure that you aren't stuck without food or cleaning equipment on the road. Remember, you won't be able to pull over and leave your cat in the car to go and buy some additional groceries, so have your plan ready to go before you even consider hitting the road.

For more moving tips, you may want to contact local moving companies like Wheaton World Wide Moving. 

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