If you could make a top ten list of the most traumatic events of your life, moving would be at or near the top of that list. No one likes moving expect for moving apartments or companies. However, as traumatic as moving is for you, it is a hundred times worse for your pet. As far as your cat is concerned, your last place was their universe. This is especially true if you own an inside cat. Here are a few things you can do to help make the move a bit easier to take for your pet.

Your cat will probably figure out something is up when you start packing and cardboard boxes begin piling up everywhere. You’ll notice that their behaviour will change and they will seem more animated and nervous. There isn’t a whole lot you can do other than simply paying more attention to them. Offer more affection, more play time and simply keep an eye on them.

On moving day, try to get them out of the way early. If you can, move them first and keep them in a bathroom with the door closed along with food, water, toys and, of course, the cat box. If that doesn’t work, give them to a friend for the day so they are away from the noise and the commotion. As soon as you are moved in, make sure Fluffy has everything she needs and then go get her.

The first week or so at the new place is going to be tough. Expect to be woken up in the middle of the night be howls and meows and you might even find a present or two on the carpet when you wake up in the morning. Try to wade through this tough period. Offer all of the love and affection you can and make sure you play with your cat during this time, as well. You may even want to up the amount of treats and catnip you normally give. Moving is stressful for pets but there are things you can do to make it better.

If you have recently welcomed a new kitten into your home, congratulations, there are few things in life as rewarding as owning a pet. However, teaching your new family member where the cat box is can be difficult. Here are a few tried and true tips for cat box training.

First off, if you have an older cat already in the home, the chances that the kitten will pick up on what to do is greatly increased. On the flip side, there is a chance that your older cat may not appreciate having to share the cat box with a new kitten. Try getting a second cat box if you have room. You can always take it away later.

If your kitten is going outside of the box, make sure that there is enough litter in the box, that the box is as clean as possible and that the kitten can climb inside of it. Sometimes the walls can be a little high on some models and it can prevent your cat from getting inside.

You may have to lift your kitten up and put him or her in the box every few hours if you notice they haven’t used it in a while. This behaviour shows the kitten what the box is for and that it is okay to use it. Cats are a lot like kids. Sometimes they need repetitive behaviour that can teach them what to do.

Finally, if your kitten does start using the box, make sure you praise him or her to teach them that the behaviour is positive. You won’t keep this kind of positive reinforcement forever, but a little praise now can go a long way in the future. Kittens are smarter than you think and they want to please you, they just have to know how.