Owner Shares Sweetest Reason Cat Only Sleeps on ‘Small Piece’ of Blanket

A couple moving from the United States to Spain with their cat panicked when her favorite blanket was too big for their luggage, but their quick-thinking solution melted people’s hearts.

Moving is stressful for humans and pets. These animals leave their safe environment, where they feel comfortable, surrounded by a daily routine and familiar smells, and go to uncharted territories.

Knowing the strain moving can put on pets, Nicolle and Jordan wanted to bring a piece of home with them while they relocated to Spain with their 10-year-old cat, Penny. They immediately thought her blanket would do the trick, but given they were maxed out on weight, it wouldn’t fit.

The couple shared their solution to this dilemma in an April 2 TikTok video on the account @nicolleandjordan: cut a “small piece” of the blanket to bring with them. The result provided a much smoother transition for Penny, who constantly sleeps on the tiny blanket. And now, she’s “living her best life” with her piece of her previous life.

The couple noted in the comment section that the sunshine might also have given Penny a serotonin boost. They previously lived in California before moving to Seattle, and now that they’re back to sunny days, they think Penny is much happier.

Newsweek reached out to @nicolleandjordan via TikTok for comment.

As of Wednesday, the TikTok video amassed over 76,200 views and 5,989 likes.

“She’s never been happier,” one viewer commented.

“Thx for being so considerate of ur cat,” another commenter said.

A third TikTok user wrote: “Omg this is so cute.”

Helping Cats During a Move

Cats are creatures of habit. Disturbing their routine or environment, such as moving, can cause stress, fear or aggression. An article from Preventive Vet states that a cat’s survival instincts become easily triggered when they’re forced into an unfamiliar space.

Preventing or minimizing a cat’s stress and helping them feel relaxed during a move starts before the truck arrives, the article said.

Owners will want to give their cats a safe space—an extra room, a large closet, or a bathroom—where they can go when the day becomes hectic. This space should be filled with blankets and cat toys. You’ll also want to stick to your routine as closely as possible.

You’ll again want to set up a safe space in the new home. Add items with your cat’s scent. When you arrive, place your cat in its room and allow it to come out of the carrier on its own. You’ll need to give it time to adjust and decompress.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.