Do You Have A Cat That Suffers From Anxiety? Take Them To A Vet Before Moving
Whether you adopted your cat with existing anxiety problems or they recently developed issues, you cannot ignore this kind of problem as it can drastically impact their quality of life. Feeling nervous about something can lead to symptoms such as grooming too much, pacing, or continuous meowing. If you are making plans to move in the near future, this concern becomes an even greater one. You need to make sure your cat will be somewhat comfortable while getting transported to their new home. Hiring movers to handle most of the work is a good step, but you should also take your cat to see a veterinarian.
Check Overall Health
Although your feline may exude symptoms of anxiety, they may have an underlying problem that is causing them to act a certain way. A vet will want to check out these possibilities with a number of tests such as a urinalysis, skin sample, and a blood sample. A general assessment of your cat and a detailed description by you can assist with making a quick and proper diagnosis. It is ideal to start keeping a daily log of your cat's actions for a vet to decipher at your appointment with them.
Taking note of ingredients in food and treats, as well as food-related changes that have happened is crucial. This will help to eliminate food allergies from the potential causes of their anxiety.
Get a Prescription
It is tough to diagnose your cat's situation and come up with the right solutions when you are not an expert, but there are a few things that you can do. It is often beneficial to introduce synthetic cat pheromones by using plug-ins in areas where they spend the most time. However, you may need something a bit stronger in the form of benzodiazepines to handle their level of stress and anxiety. This will prove especially helpful as you start making preparations to move with cleaning and packing.
Make Home Changes
Although you may give your cat full roam of the house, you may want to add some limitations while you are getting ready for your move. When moving professionals come over for the first time to give you a quote, you should put them in a quiet room where they can relax without disturbances. Giving them toys, catnip, and treats, along with their medication can help to keep them calm during the loading process. During the drive to your new home, you should cover their carrier up with a sheet or towel. This will prevent your cat from looking around and getting more stressed from the constant environment change.
A cat with anxiety will likely showcase stronger symptoms once you start to show signs that you are planning to move, so it is a good idea to take them to a veterinarian (like those at Stroudsburg Animal Hospital and other locations) beforehand.