Cats at the Country House: Surviving the Summer Move
How to transport your cat, what to prepare in advance, and why it is better not to let her outside during the first week.
For an indoor cat, a summer cottage is both paradise and the biggest upheaval of the year. Most problems happen in the first few days, so preparation matters more than a long shopping list.
Before the trip
- Visit the veterinarian: vaccinations and treatments for fleas, ticks, and worms. Tick prevention is especially important, so start it well in advance.
- Consider microchipping and a collar with an ID tag. Only a collar with a breakaway buckle that opens when it snags on something will do.
- Take a recent photo of your cat. If she gets lost, a good photo will be your main search tool.
- Check the property for poisonous plants and chemicals ahead of time.
On the road
Cats should travel only in a closed, hard-sided carrier. Holding a cat in your arms is dangerous, and in a car with open windows she may jump out at the first stop. Leave the carrier out in plain sight ahead of time so it becomes an ordinary object. Secure the carrier with a seat belt or place it on the floor. Never leave your cat in the car, especially in hot weather.
The first week
At first, keep your cat indoors in a single room with her litter box, water, and bed. Gradually open up the rest of the house. Only after a week, once she looks calm and eats normally, let her out onto the property, first under supervision and before mealtime, so she comes back at the sound of her bowl. Starting on a harness is a good idea if she is used to one.
What to check in the house
Country house windows often have no screens, and basements and attics may hold rodent bait left by previous owners. Look carefully at what is on the shelves. Check stoves, ovens, and the engine compartment of the car: cats love warm, hidden spots.
When it is time to leave
Always bring your cat back home: an animal left behind at a summer cottage is doomed. If you need to leave earlier than planned, start feeding her indoors and shutting her in at night well in advance, so you do not have to search for her on the day you leave. After the move, repeat the parasite treatment and check her for ticks.
