Premium uncooked pet meals model, Natural Instinct has teamed up with The Cat Welfare Group to supply recommendation to the 1000’s of pet house owners shifting house this summer season.
Lockdown restrictions throughout the UK have prompted various behavioural modifications for customers. An astonishing 3.2 million households have acquired a pet because the first lockdown was carried out[1], there was a major enhance on the subject of an curiosity in house cooking[2] and varied types of outside train have rocketed in demand[3]. Perhaps one of many greatest shifts although, is in selecting the place to reside.
The housing market has thrived because the first lockdown within the UK as patrons race to beat the stamp obligation vacation deadline, escape interior cities and transfer to bigger, extra spacious properties. In truth, simply final month it was revealed that residential property transactions soared by 138% when evaluating 12 months on 12 months.[4]
But what does shifting house imply for the nation’s beloved cats? With 15% of cat house owners shedding their pet inside a five-year interval,[5] how can house owners hold their cats secure and guarantee they discover their manner house when shifting to a brand new property? To assist alleviate fear, Natural Instinct, together with The Cat Welfare Group has issued the next recommendation for shifting house with a cat:
Stage 1: Prepare to maneuver
If you are feeling comfy doing so, put your cat right into a cattery for 2 to 3 days earlier than and after your transfer. If this isn’t attainable, deliver their service into the home just a few weeks earlier than, enabling them to get used to it and limit them to 1 room whereas packing is happening. Cats can grow to be careworn when their routine modifications, so attempt to hold them away from the entire course of as a lot as attainable.
Stage 2: Provide a secure, calm area
Set apart and mark one room within the new home to be cat secure and their very personal area. Place their meals, water, litter and bedding on this room once you arrive. Put the radio on to maintain them firm when you unpack. You may additionally add a worn t-shirt or merchandise of clothes to this area so that they have your comforting scent.
Close the door and label with an indication studying ‘don’t open,’ as you need to guarantee this area is saved as calm as attainable. You also can use Pet Remedy or Feliway to maintain stress at bay and reassure your pet.
*If the earlier occupier of your new property had pets, make sure you clear the area totally to keep away from any territorial behaviour.
Stage 3: Let your cat discover your new house indoors
Ideally, it’s best to hold your cat of their ‘sanctuary’ and limit their entry to the remainder of the house for at the very least every week till you will have unpacked, and every little thing is in place.
Once the home is calm and clear, guarantee all home windows and doorways are saved shut and start to go away the room door open in your cat to discover at their very own tempo. If they disguise beneath a mattress, go away them. They are discovering new environment and it’ll take time to regulate. It is essential you allow them to do that in their very own time.
Stage 4: Let your cat out, one paw at a time
Keep your cat inside for 3 to 4 weeks to permit them to settle and regulate to the brand new scent earlier than they journey outside. Update their chip particulars to your new tackle immediately, and if they aren’t chipped already, make sure you get this performed earlier than letting them out.
When they begin going out, they are going to don’t have any scent laid down exterior and won’t know the best way to discover their manner house in the event that they enterprise too far, so begin with small steps. Try letting them out when they’re hungry, for instance, simply 5 minutes earlier than breakfast. Call them again to house, which is able to now scent acquainted, for his or her meals.
Repeat this course of for at the very least every week, earlier than slowly growing the period of time allowed out.
Photo by Ian Livesey on StockSnap
Remember: Scent is vital!
Use scent to make sure your cat is as relaxed and cozy as attainable of their new environment. Try utilizing a material or sock to rub gently over your cat’s face after which rub this scent onto furnishings and surfaces round the home at your cat’s top. This will assist with familiarity and guarantee they really feel at house.
When you start letting your cat out, dangle something exterior which smells of them otherwise you. You may spray your typical fragrance, deodorant and even empty your hoover contents within the backyard to assist them discover their manner house.
Kirsten Dillon, Animal Behaviourist at Natural Instinct added:
“Often labelled as probably the most hectic occasion in life, shifting house is rarely simple and when you will have a pet, this could typically add to the stress. However, it doesn’t have to. By getting ready and taking the fitting steps, pet house owners can guarantee they create a easy transition for cats, holding them calm and relaxed till they regulate to their new environment.”
Natural Instinct: Natural Instinct is captivated with pleased wholesome pets. They perceive {that a} nutritious diet performs an enormous function in your pet’s life and are solely devoted to offering clients and their furry mates with balanced and full uncooked pet meals of the easiest high quality.
A uncooked meals weight loss plan in your pet means feeding as nature supposed, free from synthetic components, colors, preservatives and fillers. That’s precisely what Natural Instinct creates in your pets – probably the most delicious, pure, full and complementary frozen meals and treats stuffed with goodness and excessive worth vitamins.
Natural Instinct is a proud member of the Pet Food Manufacturer’s Association (PFMA) and controlled by the Animal Plant and Health Association (APHA). www.naturalinstinct.com
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56362987 ↑
- https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2021/02/26/Lockdown-lifts-interest-in-home-cooking-91-of-Brits-plan-to-cook-as-much-or-more-this-year ↑
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-56521006 ↑
- https://capital.com/house-transactions-rocket-138-in-may ↑
- https://lostpetresearch.com/2019/03/lost-pet-statistics/ ↑
