Moving house with a cat
Are you planning on moving house but are worried about the best way to do it to keep your feline friend happy? As we know cats are very territorial, so when you go to take them away from the environment, they know so well, this can cause them a lot of distress. To try and help the process, we wanted to share this guide on steps to take to try and keep it as stress free as possible.
Considering your cat’s transport
It’s important to avoid putting your cat straight into the carrier you will use to transport them. Instead, use slow and gradual steps to try and entice them into it, so when moving day arrives, they should hopefully feel safe going inside.
You could dig out their favourite blanket and toys and put them inside the carrier for your cat to lay on and play with. Using anything with a familiar smell will help the carrier feel like home and should hopefully ease the tension leading up to the big day. Another idea is to put treats inside the carrier, or even feed your cat inside it, to make it a positive experience.
There are also several plug-in diffusers and sprays available to help relax them during the move.
Microchip and local vet
Since the 10th of June 2024, it is a legal requirement to microchip your cat. Therefore, if you haven’t done this already, we suggest getting it done urgently before you move. It is important to make sure that your address is changed on the database to your new address.
Look around your new area and find out who your local vet is, so you can get them registered.
During the move
Whilst you are moving everything into your home, it will be the most stressful time for your cat, especially if strangers are coming in and out. Find a room where you can keep the door shut, give it a good clean to get rid of any smells, and use that as a ‘cat safe room’. Your cat can stay safely in here, and start to get familiar with its new surroundings, staying well away from the chaos. You could even put a sign on the door, with a warning to ‘keep out’ so people know it is not to be opened as it will disturb the cat. Ensure that all your cat’s items are set up in the room, such as their scratching post, litter tray, food bowls, and lots of hiding places for the cat to feel safe in. Most importantly, make sure the litter tray is away from their bowls.
It's a good idea to give the rest of the house a good clean as well, to remove any clashing smells that may cause ‘scent competition’ (if the previous owners also owned a cat for example).
Settling your cat into your new home
Once the move is complete and you’re settling into your new home, it’s time to try and help your cat settle in too. The best way to do this, is to use a cloth and rub it over your cat so it picks up their scent. You then want to rub the cloth on some items around the home. We also suggest to avoiding washing their blankets and toys for the time being and keep them near your cat until they have familiarised themselves with their new environment.
To ease stress, it’s crucial to try and stick to your cat’s normal routine. So, this includes feeding them at the same time and spending any usual one-on-one time with them. Keeping calm will help, as they can pick up on your emotions, so if you’re stressed, they will most likely feel stressed too.
We suggest that once your cat has become familiarised with their ‘cat safe room’, to leave the door open and let them start to explore at their own pace. This may take days, weeks, or even months, depending on the cat’s temperament and how nervous they are. Leave the litter tray in the room to begin with, and then start gradually moving it to where you want it in the house.
Ensure that all windows and doors are kept closed for the first 6-8 weeks, and the cat is kept inside the home. We recommend to only start letting your cat outside once this time has passed, and your cat can explore the house confidently. Then start to let your cat out for short periods of time, when you are at home, so they can be called back indoors. Keep their favourite treats on hand!