Moving home is stressful, moving a cat to a new home can be even more worrying. Cats are territorial creatures, they thrive in the environment they feel safe in, which is why moving homes is not always easy for them. But, it can be done.
Planning in advance is essential when moving house with a cat, it cannot be done last minute if you want it to be stress-free.
Follow the simple steps in this guide to ensure a stress-free move for all.
Tips for moving a cat to a new home – stress-free!
Things to do before moving home with your cat
I speak a lot about the use of pheromones for cats, such as Feliway, on this website, I have used it for many years and will continue to preach about it going forward.
Feliway will be your best friend before, during and after the move. During the build-up to the move, during the packing stage, I recommend having a Feliway Optimum diffuser plugged in. This will help your cat adjust to the movement and packing occurring in the home environment, therefore preventing stress from starting even before moving day.
If you have access to your new home before the big day, it would be useful to scent swap items. This would mean bringing an item, such as a blanket, from the new home into your own home, so your cat can begin to get used to the new smell. Meaning, when your cat is introduced to the new home it is not completely alien to them.
Ensure your cat’s things are the last thing to packed, if possible do not pack them until moving day. It will be incredibly stressful for your cat to suddenly have all the items they are used to taken away from them. Their personal items – beds, toys, litter trays, bowls, should be the last items to be packed.
How does your cat feel about its carrier? In the build-up to the move, let their carrier become their safe space. Ensure it is always out and near the Feliway plugin, make it a place where nice things happen, like receiving fuss and treats.
If the carrier becomes a safe space, it does not become stressful when they are transported in it to their new home – meaning it will not be associated with a bad experience. Our cat loves her backpack cat carrier, it is always out and is often a place she chooses to sleep in.
If you are moving home with an outdoor cat, you will want to keep them indoors the night before moving day, the last thing you need on the big day is to not be able to find your cat.
Alternatively, some people may opt to book their cat into a trusted cattery on the week of the move. This eliminates your cat being around during the packing stage and the fear of them escaping. If you can afford to do this, I would recommend it. Book your cat to stay there until a few days after you have moved in, allowing familiar smells to gather in the new home.
Moving a cat to a new house – the day of the move
If you have not opted to book a cattery, on moving day you will need to restrict your cat to one room to prevent them from escaping. Ensure everyone (including removal people) knows where the cat is and does not enter that room.
When moving homes, most people want to clean everything in preparation for a new start. Do not heavily clean your cat’s belongings, remember you want to transfer their smell with them.
Make us of Feliway spray on moving day, spray the now loved cat carrier, spray their bedding and as soon as you move into the new home, begin to spray there as well. Remember, Feliway has no smell to us, so do not worry about this.
If it is a long journey you may want to stop and offer water or a chance to use a cat tray, although most cats will not be interested.
If it is a hot day make sure the car is well ventilated and never leave the cat inside a hot car if you stop for a break. You may also want to use a cat cooling mat inside their carrier.
Ring your cat’s microchip company to update their chip to the new address. Ensure all phone numbers are correct.
After moving day – Getting a cat used to a new home
One of the first things to do in the new home is to create a safe space for your cat. Preferably this will be in a quiet room where there is space to set up all their favourite things. This is the room where you will also be plugging in your pheromone diffuser.
Ideally, keep your cat just in this room for the first 24-36 hours. This will prevent them escaping or finding a hiding space where you are unable to get to them.
Your cat may not want to eat for the first 24 hours, especially if they are scared and this is okay. However, if it goes on for longer, be sure to tempt them with a special treat.
You may find your cat has diarrhoea for the first few days. Stress can bring on loose faeces in cats but it should not be prolonged. If your cat is showing any other symptoms then you need to contact your Vet.
Once they feel secure in their safe room, gradually start to introduce them to the rest of the house. During this time all windows and doors should be locked. They should not have access to an unsecured garden at this stage.
Let your cat explore the home in their own time. Never force your cat to do something they do not want. This will only create a negative experience and potentially affect your bond.
Letting a cat outside after moving to a new home
Ideally, an outdoor cat should stay inside for one month once moving to a new home. However, this can be accessed on an individual basis on how well they have settled into the new house – I would not advise any sooner than two weeks.
There is an old wives’ tale of putting butter on a cat’s paws when moving home. The idea is the cat will be able to find their way home by follow the smell left by the butter. I do not think this would work – if anything the cat would just lick it off their paws before getting any where.
It is a much better idea, to first let them out on a bright, dry morning – allowing them to first explore the garden with you. Do not feed them that morning, a hungry cat will always return home for food. If they have a full stomach they will be more inclined to explore further and potentially get lost.
Some people opt to place a used litter tray outdoor for the first few days, this can potentially assist your cat in find their way home by smell but it is not an essential step.
Your cat will most likely encounter new cats in the new area and it will take them a while to establish a territory. Remember, they will be seen as the new intruder, therefore do not be alarmed if they get into scraps for the few couple of weeks.
Again, it is important that home is always seen as the safe space they can escape to.
Moving home with a cat is not an easy task but it is possible to do so with minimal stress. Just like most things with cats, preparation is key.