Over the summer, I posted a delightful (if I do say so myself) video showing a bunch of very lucky of kitties exploring their new home for the first time. The post elicited comments on some of your own interesting moving experience, ranging from positive ("After a day of sniffing and investigating, they felt right at home!"), to one poor kitty who got so spooked by movers, she ended up in the HVAC duct for eight (of her owner's) tear-filled hours.
I was browsing through the Apartment Guide Blog and Moving Today website for tips on how to make your move with cats go as smoothly as possible, and found several articles dealing with finding the right pet-friendly apartment, to making sure everyone feels right at home in your new space.
Read on for more!
1. Write your pet's resume to help you rent an apartment: It's a pain to write up my own list of qualifications, and now I have to write one up for my cats, too? Actually, putting together a formal document of your pet's veterinary records, along with letters of recommendation (!) is not a bad idea, and could potentially help convince a wary landlord that you are a far more responsible pet owner than the crazy cat lady in Apt 2B.
2. Finding a pet-friendly apartment: Success! The landlord is convinced, but will you and your cat be happy in your new digs? Before signing the lease, consider if there are any sunny windows to nap in, and if you want to be the one lugging that 50 lb. bag of litter up three flights of stairs!
3. The do's and don's of moving pets: Ok, so you found your new apartment - but how are you going to get your cat (who is terrified of even stepping paw out of the house) transported there safely? Talk to your vet before you go - especially if it's a long journey - to make sure kitty is up for the trip, and be sure to have a sturdy carrier your cat will feel safe in. It's also important to have up-to-date ID tags just in case, and if your cat is microchipped, make sure to have those records updated, too.
4. How to help your pet adjust to a new home: As seen in the "Mean Kitty" moving video I mentioned earlier, one of the best things you can do to help acclimate your cat(s) to their new surroundings is to make sure everything is set up before they're introduced to the space. That way, they will be able to freely roam around, and getting a whiff of some of those familiar "smells" from home will go a long way in easing any stress or anxiety that may have come along with the move.
5. Stylish homes for your pet: As stressful as moving can be, one of the more enjoyable aspects is getting a fresh start when it comes to interior design. Once you've settled in, make you cat feel special by purchasing them a posh new bed, or discourage them from scratching up your brand new couch with an elegant scratching post of their very own.
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Whether you're living, looking or moving, Apartment Guide offers how-to tips for making the most of a space for you and your pet on a budget on http://www.movingtoday.com and http://www.apartmentguide.com/blog.
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Disclosure: Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. have partnered with bloggers like me as Official Apartment Guide Bloggers. As part of this program, I have received compensation. They have not told me what to purchase or what to say about the products used, and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
6 comments:
This was a delightful blog post! The blend of practical information and humor is really wonderful. I think this post has potential to be shared!
@thecatball Aw, thank you so much! :)
Acclimation is one of the biggest challenges for your pets upon a successful transfer. One way to acclimatize them is to bring their old or favourite stuff along for them to play or lay on. In this way, pets will be contained on the feeling that they are not totally isolated from their original homes.
Thank you for sharing this post. Part of moving out is not only finding that new place but transferring all your belongings which include pets if you have. These tips you have shred are really very helpful. Several pet owners will definitely learn so much from your post.
This beautiful blog post. Really great blend of humor and practical information. I think there is the potential to share this post.
You share these tips really are very useful. Acclimation is one the successful transfer of the biggest problems of pet. Some of directors looking for a new place, but if the pet does not transfer all of your belongings including animals. Is one of the methods which can adapt to playing or lying on his old favorite stuff for them to have.
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