Safegaurding Your Pets Against Air Pollution Vol XII , Issue No 12 , Dec 2019 | Page 26

Feline Matter
there’s always a familiar scent when
she enters the new space. Try playing
with your cat in her Sanctuary. Then
feed her. And get her back home.
Even if you do this step thrice before
the Move, the new place will not
stress out your kitty.
Moving Day
On moving day, have all of the cat’s
food, medications, etc., in a separate
box that will go with you in your
vehicle. You don’t want to get to the
new home and realise you packed the
food in some unknown box. The day
of the move will be a hectic, stressful
time, so keep your cat confi ned in a
room with her litter box, a bowl of
water and a bed. Play Calming cat
music in the background. Give rescue
remedy to your cat (Check with vet
fi rst) 30 minutes before you travel.
New Home
When you get to your new home,
set up a sanctuary room. A bedroom
is ideal. Set up your cat’s litter box,
scratching post, bed, water and food
bowls. Toss a few toys in there as
well. Place Scratch Boards around the
house. Set up some of the furniture
(even if it’s not in the permanent
location). Having the comfort of the
furniture she’s familiar with will be
26
helpful to her. Some cats will make
the adjustment in a few minutes but
others may need anywhere from a
day to a week in the sanctuary room.
Your cat will let you know when
she’s ready to check out the rest of
the house. Take time out from your
unpacking to visit and play with
your cat. By indulging in fi fteen-
minute play sessions here or there
throughout, you’ll be providing a
world of comfort to your cat. Break
open the catnip as well so you and
your cat can celebrate your new
home in style.
Remember, your cat’s an emotional
sponge, so if you keep your attitude
positive and casual, she’ll pick up
on that and it could help in reducing
some of the apprehension she may
be feeling about this unfamiliar
environment. If your cat was allowed
outdoors in your previous home, this
is an excellent opportunity for you
to make her an indoor cat. There’s a
whole new territory right inside the
house for her. It’s more than enough
to keep her busy.
The New Territory
The territory outdoors is unfamiliar,
and you don’t know what other cats
are out there who may feel there isn’t
Creature Companion | December 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 12 • Noida
room enough in the neighbourhood
for a new cat. If you’re absolutely set
on allowing your cat outdoors, wait
at least a month so she has a chance
to fi rmly establish comfort in her
indoor territory and to fully adjust to
the move.
When you do begin letting her out, do
it with a leash and harness. Take her
out daily for walks close to the house
so she starts remembering her way
home. Let her walk in and out of the
door so she makes the connection
of where the entrance to the home
is. She needs to know where to stay
while waiting to be let inside. Don’t
allow your cat outdoors unless she’s
fully vaccinated, has ID on, and
knows her way home entirely.
Once again, seriously reconsider
making her an indoor cat. With
environmental
enrichment,
playtime, and by creating Visual
Stimulation for your cats, you can
create an indoor environment that
is stimulating, fun, secure, and
comfortable.
* Neha Gupta is the Founder and Owner of
Neha’s CatCafe – Cat Behaviour Consulting. She
is India’s First Certifi ed Feline Behaviourist, Cat
Nutritionist, Cat Retention Counsellor and Animal
Communicator. She specialises in Understanding
& Elimination of Aggressive Behaviour in Cats. You
can connect with her on Facebook and Instagram
@nehascatcafe.