A Guide to Moving House With A Cat & Settling In

How to move house with a cat

There’s no doubt that moving house with cats adds an extra dimension to an already stressful situation, for both owners and felines. Here we look at how to move house with a cat and minimise the disruption by planning ahead. You’ll also find lots of ideas on making your cat as comfortable as possible on move day, both before departure and on arrival at your new home. If the change is one that’s too disruptive for your cat, we’ve also got plenty of practical advice on what to do if your cat isn’t eating why is my cat not eating and what to do or your cat goes missing from the new house after the move how to find a lost cat.

Preparing your cat for moving

Forward planning is key to successfully moving house with a cat. Being pet parents that are ahead of the game before the big day will make a huge difference to both the welfare of your cat and your levels of concern for them. Why not use our 5 feline-focused tips to put together your personalised cat moving plan in advance.

Allocate a ‘cat room’ when moving home with your cat

Before the move, your cat is likely to feel less disoriented if they have been given a safe space in a dedicated ‘cat room’ within your existing house. This will also help avoid the risk of them running away, climbing into boxes or getting in the way of moving furniture. Ensure this allocated room has fresh water, a little food and a litter tray, along with some of your cat’s favourite toys.

You don’t have to restrict them to this room for days before the move, but it’s a good idea to create a space that is comfortable in readiness for move day itself. To help with even more positive associations, you can also treat them when they spend time in their room.

Prepare for comfortable travelling

Cat owners know that one of the most challenging aspects of having a feline is transporting them on-demand, whether to the vets or during a house move. Buying a carrier that is the right size, has a wide opening (whether front or top loading) and plenty of ventilation is a task that can be thought about well in advance of moving house with a cat.

Introduce the cat carrier early

A few days before moving home with a cat, place your carrier in the safe ‘cat room’. With a favourite blanket and some treats inside, encourage your cat to adopt it as a sleeping place or if this isn’t possible, at least somewhere that’s familiar and not a sudden shock that’ll raise stress levels by appearing on move day. Taking your cat on short trips in their pet carrier before moving day can also help them get used to it.

Update your cat’s microchip & find a vet

Perhaps the most important item on your ‘moving home with a cat’ preparation list is to update their microchip details in advance, including your address and phone number. If a newly moved cat goes astray, it avoids worrying that a vet or rescue centre scanning your pet won’t be able to get hold of you. Why not check out local vets in your new area and register your cat too, perhaps asking for recommendations on a local community Facebook page.

Put your cat in a cattery or arrange a cat sitter

The ultimate way to avoid any pet moving stress is to book your cat into a cattery in advance or arrange for them to be looked after by friends or family. This is an individual choice and you’ll need to balance how uncomfortable your cat will feel if they are away from you for a couple of days, versus the disruption of being around the bustle of the actual move. If your cat is used to going to a cattery or staying with your friends or family when you go on holiday, this could be a less stressful experience for them than being in the home during the move.

Minimising stress for your cat on moving day

As there are hundreds of things to think about on your actual move day, following these simple steps will minimise cat-related stress and make sure your feline feels as comfortable as possible.

Avoid food if they get travel sick

If your cat gets travel sick, one important caution is to restrict what they eat before physically moving them, especially if this involves a long drive. In any case, try not to feed them up to at least 4 hours beforehand. If needed, you can ask your vet for appropriate medication to avoid travel sickness.

Put them in the carrier at the last minute

While it is important to introduce the carrier several days beforehand (so they don’t panic suddenly on move day), leave putting them inside until you’re ready to transport them. This will avoid your cat working themselves up into a state of high stress by being kept inside for longer than necessary.

Use a calm zone in the new house

Mirror the calm ‘cat room’ at your old house with one at the new house too, featuring somewhere for them to eat, drink, sleep, play and pee. It will protect them from the chaos that a move day involves and avoid the sensory overload of introducing a whole new house all at once. Place your cat carrier inside the room and shut the door before then opening the carrier door. Let your cat decide when to come out of the carrier using food, water, treats and toys to tempt them. After a day or so, you can also open the room door and let them explore the house gradually.

Use diffusers and calming sprays

There are a range of sprays and plug-in diffusers containing pheromone blends that will calm your cat during the big move. By mimicking the scent of natural pheromones, they reduce anxiety in many cats and can be placed in your dedicated ‘cat room’ both in the old and new house.

Maintain their routine

Moving house with a cat means that their routine  becomes even more important. If they have breakfast at a certain time or you always play with them after dinner, try to keep up their regular habits, especially on move day. It shouldn’t feel like all their known activities have changed as well as their house.

Settling your cat in at their new home

It is not uncommon for outdoor cats moving house to go missing. This might be because they’re unfamiliar with their new surroundings, or just because the change has been traumatic for them. The following suggestions should help your cat to settle into their new house and quickly make it feel like home.

Keep your cat indoors for 2 weeks

If you’re wondering how long to keep a cat in after moving house, the answer is approximately  2 weeks. If you have outdoor cats, make sure you keep them physically active and mentally stimulated while confined to barracks. Have their favourite toys at the ready and take the time to engage them in active play. You can even mimic catching prey such as a mouse or bird with a wand or feather toys.

Let them take their time

Rather than forcing your cat, it’s best to let them choose when they go outside for the first time. Leaving the back door open for a decent period of time while you’re around is a good idea. You can always walk outside yourself first, showing them that the way outdoors is not a dangerous one. 

Leave some food outside the door

Your cat might take some time to establish a new routine. Some may even prefer to watch the new house from a safe hiding spot to check the comings and goings. In this case, leave some food just outside the back door so your cat stays well-fed but can approach the house when they are ready. Be careful though, as this can attract other cats too.

Scent the garden with their smell

As your cat will be staying inside the new house for the first couple of weeks, you’ll have plenty of used litter which you can use to scent the garden, sprinkling a little in the borders or hedges. It will help to signal to your cat that this is their new home.