Moving with a cat to your new residence : How to make it an easy transition

If you’re a cat parent, you’ve probably noticed that cats aren’t fond of change. Cats are highly territorial creatures who form a strong bond with their environment and prefer to stick to the same daily routine. Home is a comforting, familiar place where they feel safe and relaxed.

Unfortunately, we can’t always indulge in the preferences of our furry family members. Sometimes, life happens. And, when we have to move, our cats have to move, too.

Relocating a cat to a new residence is about reducing stress as much as possible. Every cat is different, and some will be more stressed than others, but as the human in charge, it’s your responsibility to keep the anxiety level as low as possible.

Thankfully, you can do many things to make moving easier for your cat. Read on for our top tips for keeping the stress level manageable for you and your pet.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

How to move with a cat to your new home?

What to do before the move?

What to do during the move?

What to do after the move?

How does relocation to a new home affect cats?

Should I move my cat first or last?

How long does it take for a cat to get used to a new home?

How to move with a cat to the new home?

No matter how conscientious you are, moving to a new home with a cat will cause stress, disorientation, and an unsettled feeling for your furry friend. Between packing and emptying their once-familiar spaces, new scents, and strangers coming through, there’s bound to be at least some anxiety.

If the kitty has a familiar place she/he goes when you’re out of town, such as a boarding kennel or pet sitter, it may be a good idea to send her/him there during the most stressful parts of the move.

If this sounds like a good plan, you’ll need to reserve space well in advance and confirm that all vaccinations are up to date so there aren’t any issues to add to your moving stress. 

Of course, if you would rather have your cat stay with you during the move, that’s fine, too. This article contains valuable tips on what to do before, during, and after the move so your kitty can get through the entire process with as little stress as possible.

What to do before the move?

First, familiarize your feline friend with the carrier. Start this process a few weeks before the move and definitely before you start packing boxes or making other major changes to your environment.

Start by leaving the carrier out with the door open. Put some familiar bedding inside and spray it with pheromones. Toss a few of the kitty's favorite treats and put the food inside the carrier to create positive associations. The more appealing you can make the carrier, the more comfortable your cat will be in it during the move.

If the cat is extremely anxious or gets car sick, now is also the time to talk to your vet about medications that may help. Also, be sure to update your contact information with the microchip registry so they’ll know how to reach you if your kitty gets lost. This is such an important step, and many pet parents forget to do it.

A day or two before packing boxes, place a few empty boxes around for your cat to explore. We all know cats love cardboard boxes, so getting him used to having them around should be pretty easy. But, if he seems anxious about them, spritz them with pheromone spray to help him be more comfortable throughout the process.

Choose a safe room for your cat a few days before the move. It should be a room you can empty early, so you don’t have to worry about opening and closing the door on the moving day. Make it as comfortable as possible for your kitty by including a litter box, food and water, a pheromone diffuser, and familiar items like a cat condo, cat bed, and some favorite toys.

Let the kitty explore a safe room at leisure during the days before the move, and keep the carrier in there, too, with the door open.

What to do during the move?

On a moving day, keeping your cat safe and secure is the most important thing. The last thing you want is not to be able to find your panicked kitty when it’s time to leave. Of course, you’ll still want to do what you can to keep stress levels low, but some stress and anxiety are probably inevitable.

Before you start loading up, lock the cat in a safe room and tape a sign to the door that says, “Do not open - cat inside,” so friends, family, or movers don’t accidentally open the door and let the kitty run out. Your cat may not appreciate being locked up, but will be safe and comfortable while you’re opening and closing doors, which will also give you peace of mind.

Cats can experience tummy troubles when they’re stressed and anxious, so it’s best to offer just a small meal on a moving day. This will help reduce vomiting or stomach upset, especially if the cat gets car sick.

Once everything else is loaded and you’re ready to hit the road, it’s time to use the carrier. Do not be tempted to let your pet out of the carrier in the car! Cats take their cues from their humans, so the calmer you are, the calmer they will be.

Once you arrive at the new home, place your cat’s familiar items from the safe room at the old home into a new safe room at the new home. Please do not open the door on the carrier until you’re inside the room with the door shut, and let the kitty come out on her/his terms. While you’re unloading, don’t forget to keep a sign on the door once again so no one lets the cat out.

What to do after the move?

Now that the worst of the craziness is over, it’s time to help the cat transition smoothly to your new home. It’s best to introduce the rest of the house and leave the kitty to explore it. Keep all of the familiar things set up in the safe room and spend some time there with your feline friend to help ease his anxiety.

For some cats, it may only take a few hours to calm down, some a few days, and others may need a week or more. Once the cats seem relaxed and at ease in the safe room, you can go ahead and leave the door open. As they become more comfortable, their curiosity will bring him out of the room to explore.

While your cat chills out in the safe room, deep-clean the rest of the house, just if the previous occupants had pets. Cats have an excellent sense of smell, and the scents of other animals could increase their stress. This could also cause the cat (even females) to mark their territory, especially if an unspayed female cat is in heat or an unneutered male cat is living there.

Once the kitty becomes comfortable in the new house or apartment, you can choose a permanent place for the cat litter box. At this point, the kitty shouldn’t need a safe room anymore, so you can go ahead and put the rest of the things in their permanent place as well.

However, if your kitty doesn’t seem to adjust after several weeks, consult your vet for some ideas to help ease the transition.

How does relocation to a new home affect cats?

Moving a cat to a new apartment or house completely changes your pet’s environment, so there’s bound to be some anxiety and disorientation. While many cats adjust just fine with enough time, others may display stress behaviors, such as urine spraying and scratching on furniture and other surfaces. You can ease their anxiety by taking the steps outlined above.

Is moving stressful for cats?

Every cat is different, but most cats will experience at least some stress during a move. After all, they become very attached to their living environment, where each piece of furniture has its scent. Taking steps to reduce stress, such as using a pheromone diffuser, can help them adjust to the new house and get them back to their normal, loving self as quickly as possible.

Should I move my cat first or last?

It’s better to move your cat last, as outlined above. If you move your kitty first, she/he will be at the new house by himself, which will only increase the stress and anxiety.

Your cat is attached to you as his primary human, so as long as you can provide a stable, safe home, you should take him with you. While cats don’t necessarily like to have their routines changed, they will adjust over time, and they’ll be happier if they’re with you.

How long does it take for a cat to get used to a new home?

Every cat has a different personality. Some cats will seem fully adjusted after just a couple of days, while others might not seem at home until after a few weeks or even months. The best thing you can do is to be patient and offer lots of reassurance. Given enough time, he will eventually return to his normal self. If you’re concerned about how long it’s taking for your cat to adjust, talk to your vet for advice.

Conclusion

Cats are creatures of habit. They bond with their environment and their humans, so moving to a new home can be very stressful for them. The good news is that there are many things you can do to keep their anxiety to a manageable level and ease the transition. With enough time and patience, cats will adapt to their new surroundings and settle into a new routine, just like they did in your previous home.