Moving With Your Cat: How to Make It Less Stressful

Moving can be an intense experience for a cat. The things that make them feel safe and secure, like being surrounded by their own scent and knowing the sights and sounds of their environment, are suddenly gone. This can cause stress, fear, and even aggression.

There’s a lot you can do to help your cat before, during, and after the move to turn that intensity way down so they can settle into their new space quickly and confidently.

Why Moves Are Stressful for Cats

Even though many housecats live safely inside our homes, their survival instincts can be easily triggered when their environment changes and they're surrounded by the unfamiliar. 

Think about your cat's experience, not just once they're in the new home, but the entire moving process. 

It Starts With the Pre-move Process

• Their hiding spots and favorite sleeping spots are moved or disappear into a box.

• Their scent slowly gets packed away and replaced with the scent of boxes and cleaning products.

• Their routine changes as we get busy packing, cleaning, and making other preparations.

• It’s noisy as we disassemble furniture, move heavy things around, and use that pesky packing tape from the dispenser.
  
  

On Moving Day, All Heck Breaks Loose

Your cat gets stuck in one room that probably doesn’t have much in the way of scent, comfort, or hiding spots. They may even be in a small carrier or kennel.

You may have strangers with loud voices, and often loud boots, moving through the home. You’re banging into walls and sliding things across the floor. It’s pretty scary.

Then you’re in the new space:

• Everything is in boxes or all over the place.

• Not only is your cat’s scent packed away, but they’re overwhelmed with new scents they don’t recognize — possibly the scent of cats who lived there previously.

• It’s loud and chaotic as you try to arrange and unpack things.

• They may be too nervous to stick to their normal routine, even avoiding eating and using the litter box.

• There are new sounds from neighbors, appliances, etc.

• Who knows what’s happening outside the windows!

It’s a pretty intense experience from a cat’s perspective. And let’s not forget this whole thing is stressful for you, which your cat will pick up on. Let's make it easier on everyone, human and furry.

Making Your Move Easier on Your Cat

Now that you have a better understanding of moving from your cat’s perspective, you’re probably starting to see how you can turn the intensity down for them and make it a less stressful experience.

Before the Move

Create a safe zone for your cat: If you have an extra room, that’s great. If not, a bathroom or a large closet can do the trick. This will be their safe space when things get hectic on moving day or anytime you notice them getting stressed as you’re packing and prepping.

In this space, have lots of things that smell like your cat. Beds and blankets they’ve slept on, toys, soft furnishings.

You want at least one good hiding spot, whether it’s a cat cave, a box with a blanket inside, or a blanket draped over a chair (like in the photo).

Include some high space, if possible, like a tall cat tree or one cat shelf on the wall that you’ll take down last.

There should also be a place for food, water, and a litter box.

Encourage your cat to explore and enjoy this space before you start packing, with the door open, so they feel more secure when you need to close the door once the action starts. 

Stick to your routine: As best you can, try to do feedings, play sessions, bonding time, and litter box cleaning around the same time each day.

Make it positive: Use lots of positive reinforcement as you’re packing and moving things.

Show your cat that good things happen for them when you get out a new box or that loud packing tape. Even if they're scared and hiding, pop into the room and give them some love and treats every so often. When scary things are paired with positive things, they're a lot less scary. Use anything your cat loves. Treats, pets, verbal praise, tossing a toy, catnip, etc.

Plan ahead: On the big day, and your first days in the new home, you’ll want to be prepared. That means taking care of some things in advance:

• Do some training with your cat so they’re comfortable in their carrier. This is especially vital if you’re moving a long distance. Check out our article on carrier training. You can also work with your cat on comfort in the car.

• Make sure you have multiple blankets and other soft furnishings your cat can sleep on now so they’re heavy with kitty scent for the move. Being surrounded by their own scent is comforting.

• Pack everything for your cat’s safe zone in the new home in one box. Make sure you can get to it easily when it’s time to set up that space.

• Make sure food, litter, medications, and other cat essentials don’t get lost in the sea of boxes.

• If you’re worried your cat may have a hard time with the move, talk to your vet about testing out some natural calming supplements or prescription anxiety medications. These can be helpful for extremely nervous cats or those who don’t do well with change. We’ll talk more about this below.

• For long road trips, you’ll need more in-depth planning. We’ve got you covered there too, in the cross-country moves section below.
  
  

On Moving Day

It’s safe zone time: Before all the craziness starts, get your cat set up in their safe zone with the door closed. Make sure they have time to eat a good meal before things get hectic.

Dim lights can help your cat relax, but you don’t want it to be dark. Classical music has been shown to help cats relax, too. And it can diffuse some of the loud sounds coming from outside their room.

You can even spritz a little pheromone spray in the room about 20 minutes beforehand.

Secure the door so there’s no chance your cat can get out. If you have people coming over to help you move, put a big sign on the door. “CAT INSIDE! DO NOT OPEN!” You might even lock the door or use a door jammer. It may seem like overkill. But there will be a lot going on and you don't want to take any chances.

Get settled before bringing your cat to their new home: When possible, I find it best to move everything and spend an hour or two getting things settled in the new home first. Then go back and get your cat.

They may not love being in their safe zone alone during that time. But it will be less stressful than being at the new home, with movers in and out while you’re trying desperately to find the box with the toilet paper in it.

Before your cat arrives, set up a safe zone in the new place. Same idea as the original safe zone. A small room (guest room, master bedroom, laundry room, closet, etc.) is perfect.

Have some soft furnishings in this room with your cat’s scent, like your comforter or their favorite chair. Add in some of their things — blanket, bed, food, water, litter box, toys. Be sure there are a couple of hiding spots. You can plug in a pheromone diffuser or spritz some pheromone spray before your cat arrives. You can even take a blanket they’ve slept on and rub it around the room, at cat nose height, to spread their scent.

Then go pick up your cat. When you arrive at the new home, move your cat straight into this room, open the carrier door, and let them come out when they're ready. Now, give them some time to adjust and decompress. You can hang out with them if they’re comfortable. They may prefer alone time if they’re really nervous.

When You Can’t Come Back for Your Cat After the Move

You may not be able to leave your cat in the previous home while you unload and get their safe space set up in the new home. In that case, do what you can to limit your cat’s time in limbo. You can still use the safe zone as you’re packing and loading up. It will be the last thing you pack once your cat is in their carrier/kennel and ready to go. Cover the carrier/kennel on 3 sides to provide some security. Then it's into the car and on the road.

As soon as you get to the new place, move your cat into what will be their safe zone. Leave them in the carrier/kennel while you set up all of their stuff. Then open the carrier/kennel door and let them come out when they’re ready.

If your cat is a good candidate for staying at a boarding facility or their veterinarian's office, you could consider this as an option.

Exploring the Rest of the Home

As your cat is settling into their safe zone, you can focus on a few things in other areas of the home. These will ease their transition when they're ready to explore.

• Use pheromone plug-ins (or spray a few times a day) around the home.

• Rub a blanket or something your cat sleeps on around the home, at cat nose height, to spread their scent.

• Get some of your soft furnishing, blankets, pillows, etc., out of boxes and plastic wrap since they have familiar smells.

• Set up your cat’s favorite hangouts and resting spots.
  

• Set up lots of hiding spots.
  
  Boxes with holes cut out for the entry, cat caves, and blankets draped over furniture are great.
  
  Tunnels are helpful, especially for nervous cats. They can give your cat some cover to move to and from their key resources like food and litter boxes.

• Get their permanent food, water, and litter box stations set up.
  
  You’ll also keep these things in their safe zone until they feel completely comfortable moving around the new home.
  
  

When Your Cat Is Ready to Explore

When your cat feels comfortable moving around the safe zone, and they're eating and drinking normally, open the door just a little. They can come out when they're ready. Dropping some treats in the area will help encourage them.

If your cat is really nervous, you can help by creating a smaller space outside their safe zone. This way, they aren’t suddenly exposed to the entire home. For example, take some of your boxes and create a short wall or barrier, maybe 8 feet from the safe zone door. Leave a small opening that you can walk through. The wall doesn’t have to be high. You’re not trying to contain them. It’s just a way to limit your cat’s sightline and make the space outside their safe zone feel a bit smaller and less overwhelming. As they start to come out and explore, you can either move the wall back to expand their space or just wait until they decide to walk past it or jump over it. Then you can take it down.

Have rewards handy. As they show brave behavior, even if it’s just poking their head out of the safe zone or taking a little stroll and then heading back to the safe zone, reward it. Show them there are great reasons to explore their new space.

Cross-country Moves With Your Cat

The tips above are still relevant if you’re moving a long distance with your cat.

We have a great article on road trips with cats that will help you get where you’re going with less stress.

You can also check out our article on helping your cat feel safe in their carrier. This is also helpful if your cat will be traveling by air or a pet transportation service.

Moving Safety for Your Cat

Anytime your cat is outside the home, you want to take some safety precautions. Being a new home also adds some potential safety issues to consider. Let’s talk about it.

Pre-move:

• Be careful about leaving exterior doors open as you bring in boxes, take things to the donation bin, etc.

• Make sure you don’t tape up any boxes or close any cabinets or large containers with your cat inside. (It can happen. What’s cozier than a box full of blankets?)

• Don’t pack up things you might need at the last minute, like cat medications, pet cleaning supplies, extra litter, etc.

• Be careful with packing and cleaning supplies that your cat can get into.

• As you’re packing and organizing, things will get left out. Make sure they’re not kitty dangers, like cords they can chew or get caught up in, choking hazards, etc.

• Make sure your cat is microchipped and that the contact information associated with their chip includes a way to reach you mid-move, like your cell phone or friend’s phone number. Update the contact info to include your new address as soon as you move. Here's how to update your pet's microchip information.
  
  

Moving day and beyond:

• Make sure your cat is secure before the moving starts.

• Look around your new home for potential dangers, like loose screens, holes in the wall (for example, to access plumbing under the sink), uncovered or loose vents, cords for window blinds, unsecured shelves, etc. Start with the safe zone room since that’s where your cat will be initially.
  
  

• Be extra careful about your cat getting outside, especially for the first few weeks. Cats often escape and head for their previous home after a move. They’re likely to be more skittish and reactive in the new area, even if they were outdoor cats (free, harnessed, or in a catio) in the previous home.
  
  

Consider having your cat wear an airtag collar or add an airtag or GPS device to their existing collar, so you can easily track and locate your cat.

• If your cat does get time outside, spend a few weeks watching for neighborhood pets allowed to roam free and potential predators. Both can be stressful and dangerous for your cat.

• Check the property for potential dangers, like toxic plants, unstable trees they may try to climb, holes in the fence, old rodent bait stations or traps, etc.

Should You Consider Calming Supplements or Medications for Your Cat’s Move?

Sure! Natural calming supplements may help your cat relax a bit. Your vet can suggest options. We like Zylkene and Composure Max. 

For very anxious kitties, it’s worth talking to your veterinarian about prescription calming medications for moving day and possibly the days leading up to and after your move.

For either option, you’ll want to test these ahead of time (ideally a month before) so you can see if the dosage needs to be adjusted. It’s also helpful for you to see how your cat is going to react so you’re not surprised on the big day.

How Quickly Should Your Cat Settle Into Their New Home?

Every cat is different. Just because they came right out after your last move doesn’t mean they’ll do the same this time.

Be patient. It could take hours, days, or weeks for your cat to start to settle in. They may surprise you and start exploring right away. Or they may need some time.

Don't worry too much if they aren't eating, drinking, or using the litter box right away. If it's been more than 24 hours, give your vet a call. 

If they aren’t eating, drinking, or using the box after a couple of days, or they’re so scared that you still can’t interact with them, there might be something else going on. Perhaps there’s a trigger in the new home, like the smell of previous cats, a really loud appliance, or dogs barking next door.

This is where a certified feline training and behavior consultant can help by giving you a plan to reduce stress, build confidence, and work on getting your cat comfortable with those triggers.

Excessive Vocalizing After a Move

Prepare yourself. Even the most confident, relaxed cat may go into non-stop talking mode after a move. Mine always do.

If they’re anxious, it could be a way of expressing that stress and getting your attention as they try to self-soothe.

If they’re excited and interested, it could be their way of saying, “HEY, check this out! Did you see that? Wow, this is cool!”

Either way, it can be a challenging time for you who probably just needs a good night’s rest.

Try to be patient. Your cat is processing a lot of new information. Give them lots of attention and love. If they're actively vocalizing, try to wait for them to take a break before you engage. You want to meet their needs. But you don't want to teach them that vocalizing is the way to get those needs met.  When they stop talking for a few seconds, then jump in with pets, play, and attention.

You can also have distractors handy, giving your cat something positive to focus on instead of climbing in your boxes, scaling the new built-ins, and telling you all about it. Food puzzles, new toys, short training sessions, cat videos on YouTube, and other enrichment and play tactics will help your cat burn energy, reduce stress, and vocalize less.

During this time, you may find it easier to sleep in a different room where you can close the door. Plan ahead so your cat’s safe zone can be away from your sleeping area or you can go sleep somewhere else if your cat is talking too much overnight.

They should start to calm down within a few days. If not, look for potential triggers that are causing stress or fear, as mentioned above.

It may seem like more work during an already hectic and tense time. But, trust me, it’s worth implementing some of these ideas. If your cat is less stressed, you’ll be less stressed. And you’ll all settle into your new home more easily.