Preparing your home abroad to welcome your cat is important, no matter where in the world you’re relocating to. The process might seem daunting at first, particularly with all the other aspects of moving house thrown into the mix – but so long as you create a warm, comfortable, and loving environment for your cat, the move can be a positive experience for you both.
First things first, you need to have a solid plan for transporting your cat abroad. Next, you can start to look at turning your new home into a place your cat will love.
Cats are curious by nature, and will try almost anything once. Because of this, it’s a good idea to cat-proof your new house in the same way you might have done when you first got your cat. Remove any sharp objects, cleaning products and medications, and hide any wires until your cat becomes more familiar with the space.
To prevent accidents, ensure your cat doesn’t have access to any air-tight spaces or containers that they’d be able to enter but not exit on their own. Remember, your new home abroad is a totally new world to your cat – one that they’ll explore using all their senses, so consider this when you’re unpacking.
Your cat will need a private, safe space to retreat to when you first introduce them to your home abroad. This will help them to adjust to the new environment at a pace that suits them.
Make sure they have plenty of hiding spaces with the essentials within reach, like food, water and a litter tray. Their safe space should include items that you’ve brought from your previous home – these will already have your cat’s scent on them, helping them to feel more at ease. Likewise, bringing toys from your previous home will help to keep your cat happy and stimulated. The aim is to make their new environment as familiar as possible, as this will encourage them to venture out of their comfort zone and interact with the new space.
Some places in Europe, like the UK, are safe enough for your cat to be let outdoors – there are still dangers, of course, but your cat won’t come face-to-face with any predators there. Other places, however, like Australia, New Zealand and some parts of Europe may be less safe for your cat to roam around outside by themselves.
If you’re relocating to one of these places and you have some outdoor space, consider building a safe, cat-friendly enclosure or “catio”. Adapting to one of these will be tricky for cats who are used to going outdoors, but for indoor cats, it’ll make for an exciting new adventure and a way for them to explore more of your new home safely.
There are lots of pet-friendly places all over the world – some simply require a bit of extra planning to ensure your cat stays safe both at home and outdoors.
When you adopt a cat, you commit to meeting each and every one of their needs, ensuring they’re safe, healthy and happy throughout their lifetime – no matter where you live. Keeping this in mind throughout the relocation process is important, and doing so will guide you towards making decisions that benefit your four-legged friend. With a little bit of planning, your cat will thrive in their new home abroad.