Moving house is a stressful experience for anyone, but it can be particularly unsettling for cats. As creatures of habit with a strong territorial instinct, cats often struggle to adjust to a new environment.
If you’re planning to move with your feline friend, it’s essential to take steps to minimize their anxiety and ensure a smooth transition. Even when you hire a professional removal company to help you through every stage of the moving process, it’s mostly you who can make the experience as comfortable as possible for your cat.
Our years of moving house experience have helped us make the perfect organization for a stress-free moving house with cats, and below we share our knowledge with you.
Understanding Cats and Change
Cats are creatures of habit. They develop strong attachments to their environment and often associate their surroundings with feelings of security. This is why any sudden change—such as a move—can lead to stress and anxiety.
A disrupted routine, unfamiliar smells, and new surroundings can make your cat feel insecure. But with careful planning and gradual adjustment, you can help your cat adapt more easily to the move.
Fun Fact:
Cats have an incredibly keen sense of smell, about 14 times stronger than humans! This heightened sense helps them navigate familiar territory and can explain why new smells in a new home might make them anxious.
Preparing for the Move
- Familiarize Your Cat with Their Carrier
One of the most stressful aspects of moving for a cat can be transportation, especially if they associate their carrier with unpleasant experiences like trips to the vet. A few weeks before the move, start leaving the carrier out in a place your cat frequents. Make it a welcoming space by placing a soft blanket, familiar toys, or treats inside.
This will help them get used to the carrier, and by the time moving day arrives, it will feel less intimidating. Gradually get your cat accustomed to spending time in the carrier, even closing the door for short periods.
- Maintain Their Routine
Cats thrive on routine, and any disruption to their daily activities can lead to stress. In the days leading up to the move, try to keep feeding times, playtime, and sleep schedules as consistent as possible. The more “normal” things feel for your cat, the easier it will be for them to cope with the changes.
- Set Up a Safe Room
As moving day approaches, it’s a good idea to designate a quiet room in your home where your cat can stay safe while the packing and moving take place. Moving boxes, loud noises, and unfamiliar faces can be overwhelming, so keeping them in a secure space with their bed, toys, litter box, and water will help reduce their stress levels.
This room can also serve as their sanctuary in the new home until they’re ready to explore the rest of the house.
- Update Identification and Microchip Information
Before the move, ensure that your cat’s ID tags and microchip information are up to date with your new address and contact details. Cats can become disoriented and may try to escape during or after the move, so it’s crucial to have accurate identification in case they wander off.
Fun Fact:
Studies show that cats are more likely to return home if they have updated identification and microchip information. In fact, microchipped cats are 20 times more likely to be reunited with their owners! And be advised that since 2024 cat microchipping in UK is mandatory!
Moving Day: Keeping Your Cat Calm
- Secure Your Cat Early
On the day of the move, place your cat in their designated safe room early on. This will prevent them from becoming anxious as furniture is moved around and doors are left open. Ensure they have access to their usual comforts—food, water, litter box, and toys.
Consider using a calming spray or diffuser with feline pheromones like Feliway, which can help reduce anxiety.
- Transporting Your Cat
When it’s time to transport your cat to the new home, place them in their carrier with a soft blanket and one of your unwashed t-shirts. The familiar scent will help comfort them during the journey.
Ensure that the carrier is secured in the car, either on the floor or the seat, and never open the carrier during transport to prevent your cat from escaping.
- Keep Things Quiet
Cats are highly sensitive to loud noises and sudden movements, so during the move, try to keep the environment as calm as possible. This means minimizing shouting, loud music, or abrupt movements around your cat. The quieter the move, the less anxious your feline friend will be.
Settling into the New Home
- Introduce One Room at a Time
Once you arrive at the new house, resist the temptation to let your cat explore the entire home immediately. Instead, set them up in a quiet room with familiar items like their bed, food, litter box, and toys. This will give them a safe space to adjust to the new environment gradually.
Over the next few days, allow them to explore one room at a time, always making sure they have access to their safe room if they feel overwhelmed.
- Maintain Their Routine
Just like before the move, sticking to a routine is crucial for helping your cat feel at ease in their new home. Keep feeding times consistent and spend time playing with them to provide a sense of normalcy. Avoid making any additional changes to their routine until they’ve fully adjusted to the new environment.
- Give Them Time
Every cat is different, and while some may adjust to a new home within a few days, others might take weeks or even months to feel completely comfortable. Be patient, and give your cat the time they need to explore and adapt at their own pace.
Fun Fact:
Cats mark their territory by rubbing their face on objects, leaving pheromones behind. In a new home, they’ll likely engage in this behaviour more frequently as they establish their sense of ownership over the space.
Managing Post-Move Stress
- Watch for Signs of Stress
After the move, keep an eye on your cat for signs of stress or anxiety. Common signs include:
- Hiding for extended periods
- Excessive grooming
- Loss of appetite
- Aggressive behaviour or withdrawal
If you notice any of these signs, it may indicate that your cat is struggling to adapt to the new environment. In this case, consider using calming aids like pheromone sprays or diffusers, or consult with your veterinarian for additional support.
- Create a Comfortable Environment
Make your new home feel as cozy and familiar as possible for your cat. Set up their favourite blanket, toys, and scratching posts around the house. Cats often find comfort in high places, so consider providing shelves or cat trees where they can perch and observe their surroundings.
- Slowly Introduce Outdoor Access (If Applicable)
If your cat is used to going outside, it’s important not to let them roam immediately after the move. Keep them indoors for at least two weeks to ensure they’ve become familiar with their new home. When you feel they’re ready, start by supervising their outdoor adventures and gradually increase the time they spend outside.
Hiring a Removalist for Your House Move with a Cat
Hiring a moving company can significantly reduce the stress of moving with your cat. Professional movers handle the heavy lifting, giving you more time to focus on keeping your pet calm and comfortable. Movers can also transport your belongings quickly and efficiently, allowing you to settle your cat in the new home sooner.
Additionally, removalists offer specialized packing services to protect fragile items, which means you won’t need to worry about disruptions that could upset your cat during the move.
Benefits of Hiring a Removalist:
- Efficiency: Movers streamline the entire process, making the transition faster for your pet.
- Reduced Stress: You can focus on your cat’s well-being while professionals handle the logistics.
- Protection: Your belongings are carefully packed, reducing risks and minimizing disruptions that might cause your cat anxiety.
- Experience: Movers know how to handle unpredictable situations, such as adjusting to tight schedules or unexpected obstacles.
Why It’s Better to Hire a Removalist
Hiring a removal company can be a smart decision when moving with a cat because it allows you to give full attention to your pet’s needs during the move. A moving company brings experience, proper equipment, and speed, which can make the move smoother and faster, reducing the time your cat spends in a stressful situation. You can calculate moving costs in advance, so leave nothing to chances.
Remember, every cat is different, and some may take longer than others to adjust. Be patient, provide them with plenty of love and reassurance, and soon your cat will feel just as at home in the new place as you do.
Fun Fact:
Cats have an incredible homing instinct, which helps them navigate their way back to familiar territory. This is why it’s so important to keep them indoors for a few weeks after moving to prevent them from trying to return to the old home!