Top tips on moving house with a cat

16 March, 2022

In all the excitement of finding a new home and getting everything organised for the date of the move, you may well have forgotten plans for your cat! Moving house with a cat is not as daunting as it sounds and with careful planning can go smoothly with the minimum of stress for both you and your treasured puss!

It is true that cats do not like any changes in their lives be it a brand of cat biscuits or a new routine. They are territorial animals who love to know ‘their patch’, but unfortunately, when you are on the move so are they!

The key to success for a house move with a cat is to plan well and try and minimise stress for your feline friend. By doing this you will make the transition for him as easy as possible and will also minimise the chance of him developing any anxiety-based behaviour in your new home.

Here are our tips for moving house with a cat:

1. Prepare for the move:

The most important step is to make sure that your cat is happy to spend time in his pet carrier as he will be in it for a number of hours on the day of your move. If he is happy to go into the pet carrier, you have no problem, but if he makes a great fuss when you take him to the vet, it is best to prepare him well in advance.

● Get your cat used to his carrier

Leave the cat carrier with its door open, in a popular room such as the lounge or kitchen. Line the carrier with a comfy blanket and put your cat’s favourite toy in the far corner. At first,  feed your cat regular treats close to the carrier and when he has gained confidence, inside the carrier. If he really does not like the carrier, start feeding him his meals close to the carrier and as he becomes less wary, you can move his food bowl inside the carrier.  Within a week or so your cat should feel much more confident of going in and out of his pet carrier.

● Let him discover the packing boxes

Your cat will be very curious about the new smells in the house from the packing boxes and will spend time sniffing around. To help him feel comfortable, feed him some treats close to the boxes and if the smell makes him anxious, spray a couple of boxes with catnip – be warned he might start scratching them.

● Keep his routine going

Cats are creatures of routine so even though you are busy preparing to move, make sure that you keep to the correct meal times and play times – even on the day you move.

● Save him too much anxiety

Some cats are naturally more anxious than others and if you feel that the move is going to be traumatic for your puss cat, it is well worth discussing this with your Vet who will give him some anti-anxiety medication to make things easier for him. 

● Clean the new house

If you have the keys for the new house, it is well worth spending time giving it a thorough clean before you move in. Cats have an excellent sense of smell and your moggie will not take kindly to the scent of another cat in his new home. Remember to shampoo all the carpets and wash floors thoroughly too and to clean the cat flap thoroughly- inside and out.

2. On the day of the move:

Start preparing your cat well before the removal lorry arrives as he could easily take fright and bolt – and you will then have little chance of getting him into the pet carrier.

● Give your cat a light meal

Your cat is going to get anxious with so much going on and could well be travel sick in the car, so it is best to anticipate both. Give your cat just a small meal first thing in the morning and plan to give him small light meals at the usual time throughout the day – even with all that is going on, don’t forget to do this!

● Move your cat somewhere safe 

You can pop your cat in his pet carrier, but if it is going to be many hours before you leave, it is better to clear a small room (like the bathroom) and put him in there with his bed, toys and cat litter tray. Pin a large poster on the door to ensure no one accidentally opens the door. 

● Get him into the pet carrier in good time

Pop your cat into his pet carrier well before you need to leave and carry it out to the car.  Try and remain calm as your cat is clever and will pick up the vibes. Your cat needs to stay in the pet carrier until you are at the new house.

● When you arrive at your new home:

Once you arrive at the new house, place your cat carrier into a small room. Just as before,  the bathroom is ideal for your cat’s bed, toys, food, water and cat litter tray. Let your cat out of the carrier and close the door firmly so he cannot escape. Pin the cat notice on the door to warn the removal team not to go into the bathroom.

3. Once the removal lorry has left

First, reward yourself with a much-needed cuppa! Once the front door has been finally closed you can let your cat out of the bathroom to explore. You must be very careful to ensure that there is no way he can escape from the house. If he is a really nervous cat, it is best to keep him in a larger room such as a bedroom for a couple of days and slowly, slowly, room by room, introduce him to the house.

● Keep your cat inside for two weeks

This is quite a challenge, especially as your cat is keen to investigate his new surroundings or is an outside cat. Many people find that their cat does manage to get out earlier and although this is not ideal, the cat does have a good sense of direction and should come back. If this happens keep the back door and several large windows open.

 

While your cat is inside, you need to establish a place for his bowl and toys as well as a quiet corner for his cat litter tray. Remember that cats do not like their litter tray to be somewhere busy or overlooked. If your cat is an outdoor cat, choose a good location for his new home in the garden and prepare it ready for his first day of freedom.

 

Continue your cat’s daily routine as before the house move and spend time with him to reassure him all is well.  During the first few days of freedom, keep the back door or large window open so that he can return inside quickly – he might not feel comfortable using the cat flap at first.  If after a few weeks, your cat still appears to be anxious, it is well worth popping to the vet for advice.