Cats are extremely sensitive creatures of habit who are not great fans of change. Famous for being highly territorial animals, they tend to rub their body scent all over various household objects in an attempt to define and set their boundaries.
For pets who are as closely attached to their familiar surroundings as they are to their caring owners, it’s important to understand that cats can have it pretty rough when a house move takes them out of their comfort zone (current home) and throws them into a strange environment (new home). This is especially true if the new house or apartment has residual scents from other cats.
How do cats react to moving?
As oversensitive to ambient changes as that, cats that are being moved between two homes can have close to a nightmarish moving experience if their fears are not understood completely and their needs are not addressed properly.
Cats are great at detecting worrisome notes in human voices and will react in direct proportion to the stress level exhibited by their masters.
So, if you are a cat owner and you are about to move house, then you should definitely learn how to move a cat to a new home. Pay special attention to our practical advice when moving with cats so that the relocation trip proves to be smooth and stress-free not only for your feline friend but also for you as their loving master.
Let’s take a closer look at the best way to move a cat to a new home. Read on to learn what exactly you should do as a cat owner so that your lovely pet stays safe and stress-free throughout the move, including during the tough adaptation period in the new place.
Before The Move: What’s This Fuss All About?
Have you ever marveled at the extraordinarily developed senses of your cat?
Cats seem to be constantly scanning the immediate surroundings and respond to even the slightest changes in the ambient conditions, don’t they? As if their nine lives and unrivaled gracefulness were not enough, cats are gifted with a number of outstanding qualities that can even be perceived as superpowers: the unique abilities to
see in the dark and reflect directed light back to its source,
locate the house spot with the strongest concentration of positive energy, and then
channel that same energy effectively to achieve mystical healing effects.
One thing is clear: your cat will be the first one to pick up the altered frequency of the pre-move vibes coming from you and the fast-changing settings of your home.
Cats are the perfect detection devices and hardly anything can alter its current state without being duly registered by your super-powered pet. The sudden inclusion of worrisome notes in your voice, the surprising appearance of packing supplies, and the unwelcoming sight of moving experts in your home will be the very first signs that something big is going on.
“I’m not getting out of this box unless you tell me what the cat is going on!”
These intimidating interruptions in your cat’s set routine will frighten your animal friend and their anxiety level, after an initial sharp spike, will continue to rise.
And this is exactly where you should come in and try to calm your furry friend’s nerves and show them that there’s nothing to worry about.
Did you know that planning ahead is the secret to a smooth move for your cat?
Here are the preparatory steps you should take before moving house with cats:
Step 1. Keep the daily routine unchanged
When moving your cat to a new home, it’s imperative that their daily routine remains as unchanged as possible.
The moving preparations will probably wreak havoc on your cat’s regular schedule for food and play, but you should do your best to keep things as they used to be because cats rely on their routine to feel safe, confident, and content.
Step 2. Talk to your cat
Your cat will probably not understand spoken English but they can surely detect the calming and reassuring tones of your voice. As crazy as it may seem to possible onlookers, sit down and have this fundamental man-to-pet chat with your feline friend, explain why things are changing, and reassure your pet that these changes are for the better.
Remember that your cat understands more than you probably think, so you shouldn’t be surprised at all when, all of a sudden, your friend becomes less frightened and less stressed out as a result of this little talk.
Step 3. Take your cat to see the vet
A full medical checkup of your pet before the relocation trip takes place is a must-do pre-move task that you shouldn’t skip. Your cat should be in good health before you embark on the relocation adventure, so make sure you take them to the vet’s office.
If you notice that your furry friend is easily frightened or excessively nervous about the upcoming move, discuss with the veterinarian whether specialized anti-anxiety medication for your cat will make the actual relocation journey easier for everyone.
While at the vet’s office, request copies of your pet’s medical records or any other documents you may need during or after the residential move.
Step 4. Provide adequate identification
Before moving your cat across the country, you must provide adequate identification for them – either in the form of a permanent microchip or a suitable collar with your mobile phone number.
Your cat’s proper identification can contribute greatly to your happy reunion in case the moving stress becomes too much for your pet and they manage to escape. Don’t forget to inform whoever is responsible for the microchip data to update your new address.
Step 5. Get the transportation carrier ready
You will definitely need a specialized pet container in order to guarantee the comfort and safety of your cat during the relocation trip to your new home.
The pet transportation carrier should be spacious enough so that your pet can sit or stand comfortably, as well as turn around freely in it. If you don’t already have one, you can purchase such a suitable pet carrier from your local pet shop before moving house with your cat.
Relaxing music in the car could have a calming effect on your cat but an overdose of genuine moving stress can make your pet rather unpredictable.
The reputable long-distance moving company you must have hired to help you move to another part of the country will not usually agree to transport your cat because pets – together with plants, hazardous goods, and perishable foods – fall into the category of non-allowable items.
The reason for this prohibition is safety, of course, which means that the task of moving your cat from one home to another will fall on your shoulders. Be sure to take all safety measures before and during the actual relocation so that your feline friend doesn’t feel threatened, insecure, or unhappy during the local or long-distance move.
The last couple of days before Moving day, and especially on the Big Day itself, the tension around your house can easily escalate and reach unhealthy levels. Our tips for moving a cat to a new home continue with practical advice on how to move a cat cross country in the safest and least stressful manner.
Step 1. Keep your cat safe on Moving day
Ask a good neighbor or a close friend to shelter your furry companion Moving day until the movers leave your residence and you yourself are ready to make the journey to your new home. You may even consider placing your cat at a boarding cattery until the moving day chaos is over.
Designate one special room in your current home where your pet can be at a safe distance from the packing and moving madness if none of the above options works for you, then Keep in mind that your cat will get upset by anything that is not in its right place – scattered moving boxes and partially disassembled furniture will first confuse and then scare them.
Place your animal friend in that safe haven and provide fresh water, favorite food, a comfortable cat bed, a litter tray, and preferably some of their most loved toys to keep them busy. Keep the door firmly closed and place the sign DO NOT OPEN, PANTHER INSIDE on it so that no mover dares open the door. You can even go as far as locking the room for your peace of mind and your pet’s own safety.
It’s a good idea to leave the pet carrier inside the room so that your cat can have a safe place to hide from all the strange voices and frightening noises they will be constantly subjected to.
Do not entrust your pet to your professional movers! Remember that unless you choose to hire the services of a specialty pet mover, it’s your responsibility to transport your own cat to your new home.
When your house or apartment is void of moving boxes, furniture, appliances, and personal possession, as well as clear of muscular strangers, then place your animal friend in the ready pet carrier and get them in the car with the rest of your travel companions.
Your cat should be the last thing that leaves your old home.
Step 2. Transport your pet in the car
Do not transport your cat in the trunk of your car!
“I think I’m… quite ready for another adventure!”
The dangers of traveling with cats in a car should not be underestimated. Be mindful that unless you have opted for a mild sedative, your feline pet can and probably will get rather agitated while on the road.
Prepare a travel bag with all the necessities that your dear car may need during the car trip – delicious treats, fresh water, favorite toys or blanket, or just about anything that you think will keep your pet fairly calm on the road.
Letting your cat loose in the car is very risky since they could get entangled with the car driver and thus cause an accident, or could escape through an open car window or door, and get lost forever.
So, transport your cat inside the pet transportation carrier. Make sure the cat carrier is safely locked and secured with a seat belt so that it won’t move around or even worse – topple over and hurt your animal friend.
Play some relaxing music over the car stereo and see if it will have the expected and desired effect on your restless cat.
If you plan to spend the night at a roadside hotel or motel, don’t make the rookie mistake of leaving your loyal pet in the vehicle – instead, do take them inside with you. Plan ahead and reserve a hotel that boasts its pet-friendly policy.
Step 3. Fly with your pet to the new home
If the distance to the new home is too great – in the case when you’re moving across the country and in particular – moving from coast to coast, then it’s perfectly understandable that you may not want to drive your car for days until you reach the destination place. The only other logical choice is to fly to the new home, of course.
The good news is that you can ship your cat by air.
If moving your cat by place is the only sensible solution, then the very first thing you need to do is decide whether your dear pet will travel in the cabin with you or as cargo. Needless to say, the former option is the preferred one but not all airline companies allow small pets to travel in the cabin with their owners.
So, familiarize yourself with the pet policies of the major airline companies to find out more information about how your cat can fly with you to the new home. Then, book the flight early to get a better price as well.
Prepare the required documents (you must have a health certificate for your pet), double-check whether the cat carrier is approved for air travel, and make the necessary arrangements so that you can be at the airport at least 2 hours before the plane is scheduled to depart.
After The Move: What Is This Strange Place?
If you have followed the above advice on moving a cat to another home, your case of moving a cat by car must have been a pretty straightforward and uneventful experience for you.
You shouldn’t forget that your ongoing house move is nothing short of a big leap out of your cat’s comfort zone and therefore, you must arm yourself with considerable and notable patience during the third and final stage of your cat-moving adventure.
Our tips for moving with cats continue with useful pointers on what you should do after moving into a new house with a cat.
Step 1. Keep your cat in a safe room
Your cat’s favorite bed can make all the difference in the world in the new home.
Unfortunately, your dear cat will have to once again be confined to one room and there’s no way around it. Basically, it’s all part of a proven set of safety procedures devised to keep cats safe during such a traumatic period in their lives.
The minute you reach your new place, take your cat straight to the designated room and provide fresh water, quality food, a comfy bed, and a litter tray. Your stressed-out friend will probably not be interested in eating (or even drinking water!) during the first day while they’re desperately trying to get their bearings.
Also, it’s a good idea to leave some items from their old world (preferred toys, a favorite blanket, etc.) in order to maintain your pet’s feeling of security. Never let your cat out of the room while there are unknown people in the house, such as movers unpacking, assembling furniture pieces, or re-connecting kitchen appliances.
Make sure the temporary “prison” is thoroughly free of possible residual scents of previous pets. Bear in mind that the room must be as secure as it can be – all windows and doors should be closed and even locked to prevent daring escape attempts.
In case you have moved house with more than one cat, then you should keep all of them together so that they can provide comfort and give courage to each other.
As was the case in your old home, you may choose to place the traveling container in the room or leave a closet door ajar so that your cat can find a more secretive place to hide.
While your cat is slowly getting used to the unfamiliar settings from their vantage point, it’s recommended that you use that time to unpack your boxes as quickly as possible so that your pet can get accustomed to the new sounds, smells, tastes, and sights.
Step 2. Introduce your cat to the rest of the house
How long should you keep your cat inside that room after moving?
It depends on how fast your cat will shake off the moving stress and find the courage to want to explore their new surroundings.
Most experts agree that cats should be kept in that confined space for at least one full week but there are no set rules here. Ultimately, the right decision will be made by the cat’s loving owner (you!) – nobody knows your cat better than you so use their body language as guidelines to whether your poor companion is ready to take the next adjustment step.
If your pet keeps crouching down or hiding in corners, then that is a sure sign that you have to give them more time to acclimatize properly.
“I just can’t stop yawning since we moved here! What’s wrong with me?”
When you feel that your pet is ready for the next post-relocation adjustment step, let them out and slowly introduce them to their new home. Make sure you have all the outdoor exits covered as it’s too early to let them go outside yet.
During this time of tough adjustment, talk to your cat, caress them, and do your best to somehow find time to play with them in your busy post-relocation schedule. Not surprisingly, the sooner your pet sticks to some kind of routine, the better!
How long to keep cats indoors when moving?
Again, it’s all up to your furry friend but try to keep your cat indoors for the first few weeks just to be on the safe side. If you moved to a house with an enclosed yard, then you’re in luck because you can let them have short walks around the garden, but make sure there are no dogs close by.
Don’t forget to provide proper identification for your cat as discussed earlier. If you performed a local residential move, you’d better leave your mobile phone number and photos of your cat with the people now living in your old residence in case your animal friend manages to escape and make it back to their old home.
Most importantly, don’t rush things. Give your feline friend enough time for each acclimatization step and they will adjust to the new settings without trying to run away or even succeeding in doing so.
The despairing feeling of sadness or despondency is not only typical for human beings – the animals that are known for their heightened sensitivity, especially cats and dogs, can also get depressed after a move between two homes.
Feline depression is often a result of a major change in a cat’s life – prolonged periods of loneliness, the death of a companion animal or their owner, or an abrupt change in their familiar surroundings. There may be other feline depression causes but moving to a new home is a reason enough for your cat to get seriously down in the dumps.
If you happen to notice considerable changes in your pet’s behavioral patterns, you may be dealing with a classic case of cat depression after moving. In order to diagnose it accurately, you need to know the typical symptoms of depression your cat may be exhibiting after the relocation:
Your #TimeLove will make all the difference in the world for your cat.
loss of appetite,
lack of enthusiasm,
uncharacteristic non-meowing,
atypical aggression,
lack of grooming,
excess sleeping, or
prolonged periods of isolation.
The above feline depression symptoms can only serve as guidelines and the best answer to the burning question My cat is depressed after moving. What should I do? can only be answered through a thorough veterinary examination. A qualified vet in your new city is the only person who can confirm your cat’s diagnosis of behavioral depression and prescribe proper treatment.
In the meantime, learn what you can do to help cure feline depression or prevent depression in your pet in the first place.
Devote more attention to your cat and schedule at least half an hour a day to play with them. Even some quiet quality time while you’re caressing and brushing them will help them regain the reassuring feeling of security and bonding sense of special connection with you.
Whenever you’re not home during the day, consider providing your cat a companion either in the form of another pet or a hired pet-sitter.
Needless to say, the most essential thing you can do for your feline friend when moving house with a cat is to prove your utmost forethought and planning skills so that your cat is exposed to as little stress as possible.
Cats tend to be very vulnerable when taken out of their familiar world where everything makes sense and placed in highly unfamiliar surroundings where nothing makes sense anymore.
To make the tough transition as smoothly as felinely/humanly possible for your cat, give your friend the most valuable present in the entire cat universe – your time and love (#TimeLove).
Thanks a lot for mentioning how you should take your cat to the vet before moving. It is important to understand that doing this can help yo make sure it is healthy enough to move. We need to neuter our cat before we move next month, so I wanted to learn more.
It was helpful when you mentioned that you should keep your cat inside for a couple of weeks when moving. My family is planning on moving to a new home next week and we have 2 siamese cats that we’re worried about with the move. I appreciate these tips on how to move cats to a new home!
We have been in our new location for over a month and my previously indoor/outdoor cat refuses to go outside. We are in a wooded area and I have seen a fox in the area. There is also a male fer rel cat in the area. My cat sleeps a lot more than she use to. Should I just respect her judgement and not push the issue?
My very affectionate cat has been so mean. She hides under the covers of my bed and if I go near her she hisses and claws at me. She never did this before. She stays under the covers all day. At night she will come out and she will let me pet her and she will sit by me but she acts so cautious. I want my loving little girl back. What should I do?
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Thanks a lot for mentioning how you should take your cat to the vet before moving. It is important to understand that doing this can help yo make sure it is healthy enough to move. We need to neuter our cat before we move next month, so I wanted to learn more.
It was helpful when you mentioned that you should keep your cat inside for a couple of weeks when moving. My family is planning on moving to a new home next week and we have 2 siamese cats that we’re worried about with the move. I appreciate these tips on how to move cats to a new home!
We have been in our new location for over a month and my previously indoor/outdoor cat refuses to go outside. We are in a wooded area and I have seen a fox in the area. There is also a male fer rel cat in the area. My cat sleeps a lot more than she use to. Should I just respect her judgement and not push the issue?
My very affectionate cat has been so mean. She hides under the covers of my bed and if I go near her she hisses and claws at me. She never did this before. She stays under the covers all day. At night she will come out and she will let me pet her and she will sit by me but she acts so cautious. I want my loving little girl back. What should I do?