Moving With Your Cat? How To Minimize Kitty Stress

Moving house can be an exciting adventure for humans, but for cats, it can be an overwhelming and stressful experience.

Cats are creatures of habit and thrive on routine, so a sudden change in their environment can cause untold anxiety and stress.

Having moved with multiple cats from Dubai to Los Angeles, then Los Angeles to Helsinki (with several house moves in between), I am intimately familiar with the challenges involved in relocating cats.

I’ll be honest, it’s unlikely ever to be perfect. But I’ve learned a few tips and tricks along the way to make the whole process less traumatic – for everyone.

Why Moving Can Be Stressful For Cats

Cats are territorial creatures who feel most comfortable in their own space.

They like to be surrounded by their own scent, as well as their familiar people, other pets, and things.

When you uproot them from all of that, it can be extremely unsettling for them.

Cats also tend to dislike change and unpredictability, which makes the process of relocation highly stressful.

It can be especially overwhelming because it disrupts their established routine, and everything they once knew has suddenly changed.

They don’t know what’s happening, where they are going or why, what is going to happen when they get there, or if they are going to be safe.

On top of that, there are suddenly all sorts of unfamiliar sounds, movements, and possibly people in the house.

No wonder they get stressed.

Signs Your Cat Is Stressed During The Moving Process

It’s essential to able to read your cat’s body language so you can recognize the signs of stress.

Flattened ears, tail twitching or lashing, hissing or growling, hiding or running away, aggressive behavior like scratching or biting, freezing/stiffened posture, stiffened fur (aka piloerection), and dilated pupils are all potential signs of stress in cats.

Other signs to look out for include excessive grooming, loss of appetite, refusal to play, increased vocalization, or toileting outside the litterbox.

Being able to identify these signs early on can help you take appropriate measures to reduce your cat’s stress levels and ensure a smoother transition.

Let’s look at some ways you can do that.

Before The Move

Routine

First and foremost, it’s important to keep your cat’s existing routine as consistent as possible before, during, and after the move.

That means feeding him on schedule, providing affection and playtimes as normal, and sticking to any other schedule you have as far as possible.

This will help the kitty feel a sense of familiarity amidst the chaos of the move.

Packing

When you start the packing process, you can bring in your boxes and packing materials when your cat is not around.

Pack the boxes in separate rooms with the door closed so your cat doesn’t get stressed when you start moving things around.

Having said that, some cats may be sufficiently confident and curious to want to help – usually by jumping in and out of the boxes or even going to sleep in them!

If you are having a moving company pack for you, keep your cat in a separate room (like a spare bathroom) with everything he needs – cat food, fresh water, litterbox, toys, scratching post, cozy cat bed, and a cardboard box to hide away in if he wants to.

Make sure any bedding has his own scent on to make him feel more secure while these strange people are in the house.

Calming Aids

Playing some music or calming music specially for cats (yes, that’s a thing!) as background noise can mask unfamiliar sounds and help your cat feel more at ease during the lead-up move.

Another option is to use a Feliway plugin diffuser or some Rescue Remedy essential oils to help calm your cat’s nerves.

According to research, some cats respond to such calming aids and some don’t, but it’s worth a try.

Mental Stimulation

Keeping your feline friend mentally stimulated is an excellent way to promote calmness and relaxation.

One easy and effective way to do this is through food puzzles, which will also satisfy your furry friend’s natural hunting instincts.

Puzzles provide a mental workout by engaging your cat’s rational, thinking brain.

When this happens, it helps inhibit the emotional side of his brain, so he will be calmer and more relaxed all around, and therefore better able to cope with stressful situations.

Introducing Your Cat To The Cat Carrier

Don’t wait till moving day to start trying to bundle your cat into his cat carrier. This is one of the most important things of all.

Despite your best efforts, kitty is probably already quite stressed by this stage, and on high alert for anything else strange, scary, or unpredictable.

And if you’re anything like me, you’ll be pretty stressed yourself and have a thousand other things to do.

That doesn’t include spending an hour trying to encourage your cat to come out from behind the sink, or accidentally leaving the window open for kitty to run outside and decamp to under the shed for eight days.

Yes, both of those actually happened (thanks, Jethro!).

How To Make The Carrier A Safe And Comfortable Space

To avoid moving day mishaps, prepare your cat’s carrier well in advance so he learns to associate it with positive experiences.

To be honest, this should be standard in any case because sooner or later, your cat is going to have to go into his carrier and endure a trip to the vet.

Start by placing your cat’s carrier in a room where he likes to hang out and leave the carrier door open.

Put a soft towel or blanket which has his scent on it into the carrier, along with his favorite toy and some treats.

Place the carrier in a quiet, elevated location where no one can bother him. A sunny spot by a window or a warm place near a radiator is ideal.

If you have multiple cats, do the same thing with multiple carriers in each cat’s preferred space around the home.

Building A Positive Association With The Cat Carrier

Encourage your cat to explore his carrier with catnip, treats, throwing a toy furry mouse into it for him to chase, or dangling a piece of string over it and playing a game.

You can even feed him his meals in there.

All these things teach your cat that his carrier is a place where fun things happen.

This is how you start building up positive associations with the cat carrier, which for many cats, is an object of sheer terror – most commonly due to previous negative associations like a scary car ride or a visit to the vet.

Once your cat is comfortable going in and out of his carrier or, hopefully, curling up and going to sleep in it, you can start closing the door for short periods while your cat is inside.

Over days or weeks, gradually increase the length of time the door is closed, but watch for signs of stress.

If your cat starts getting stressed, then it’s time to take a break. Next time you do it, go back a couple of steps and gradually build it up again.

If your cat is happily resting in his carrier – especially with the door shut – it can at least remove one of the scary components of moving day and give your cat one less thing to worry about.

How To Make Moving Day Less Stressful For Your Cat

Act Like You’re Calm

It’s common knowledge that moving house is one of the most stressful events you can go through, but on the big day, it’s really important to act like it’s any other day.

Even if you’re super stressed, pretend that you are calm and collected.

By doing this, your cat is less likely to pick up on any signs of stress or anxiety and start getting worried.

If you act normal, then there is no reason for him to think anything out of the ordinary is about to happen.

Prepare A “Holding” Room

Start by getting your cat, or cats, into one room. Ideally, this would be a bathroom or a spare room where you have already finished packing everything up.

Ideally, don’t allow your cat the chance to hide under furniture or get up somewhere high where you won’t be able to access him later.

If you have more than one cat and there is any tension between any of them, consider dividing the cats into two separate rooms with the ones they get along best with.

Put food, water, and a litterbox in the room, as well as your cat’s carrier.

Line the floor of your cat’s carrier with newspaper or some absorbent pet bedding in case there are any accidents when you’re on the move, then place his familiar bedding on top of that.

You can also spray the inside with Pet Remedy or Feliway, which may help to curb his anxiety levels.

Make sure any windows in the room are firmly secured and that your cat cannot jump on the room’s door handle to open the door. Lock it if necessary.

Take care too that he doesn’t try to run out when you open the door to leave the room.

You can do this by throwing something for him to chase or treats for him to sniff out as you quietly exit.

(Note: when you go back in later, make sure you open the door quietly and quickly, and place your leg in the door opening to block him from running out.)

Once your cat, or cats, are set up in their “holding” room, you and other family members can focus on the final packing, cleaning, and anything else you need to do.

When It’s Time To Move

About an hour before the movers arrive, go calmly back into your cat’s room and gently pick him up, calmly place him in his carrier, close the carrier door, then quietly leave the room again.

No big deal. Everything is calm, quiet, and normal. Well, normal-ish in any case!

I recommend doing this an hour before the real noise and chaos starts in case you have any unforeseen issues and it’s a struggle to get your stressed cat into his carrier.

You can wait a bit longer, of course. Just don’t leave it till the last minute.

Once the wheels start churning, your cat will likely start getting stressed, so getting him into his carrier will be a lot harder.

The same applies whether you have movers or if you’re doing the move yourself.

Either way, once everything else has been loaded into the truck, it’s time to go and get kitty.

Double-check the door to his carrier is securely latched, and carefully transport him (plus his food, water, litterbox, etc.) out to your car.

How To Make The Car Ride Less Stressful For Your Cat

Unless your journey is on the short side (1-2 hours), your cat should always have access to water while traveling.

You can get water bowls that attach to the doorframe of the carrier. You can also freeze the water in advance so it doesn’t spill all over the place.

Your cat may be too stressed to drink, but it’s still good to give him the choice.

If you can, secure your cat’s carrier inside the car with a seat belt or bungee cords so it’s a smoother ride for him.

During the car ride, you can again play your cat calming music. Other than that, there’s not much else you can do and it’s just time to get on with it.

In the car, some cats like to be able to look out of the window or at their owners. Others will just cower down and hope the ordeal is over soon.

Sometimes during the car journey, one of our cats will become extra agitated and vocal, with nonstop meowing (that would be you, Spencer!).

If this happens, I open the windows an inch or two (no more than that in case of an accidental escapee!) so he has something to sniff. This tends to calm him down.

Be wary, however, of passing trucks, motorcycles, or other loud noises that may scare your kitty.

When you’re en route, never leave your cat alone in an unfamiliar place. As far as is possible, make sure someone stays with him at all times when making stops. 

Make sure too that you use the air conditioning or heating as required to keep the inside temperature safe and comfortable for him.

What To Pack In Your Cat’s Travel Bag

You’ll need to be organized and plan ahead so you have everything kitty needs as soon as you arrive at your new house.

You have brought your cat’s food dishes, water bowl, and litterbox with you from the “holding” room, but you will need some new food so you can feed him as soon as you arrive.

If water is going to be an issue for any reason, carry a filled water bottle with you too.

You might want to pack a spare litter tray and some litter, just in case, as well as a few more of your cat’s favorite toys, bedding, and cardboard boxes or hidey holes, so he has access to something familiar as soon as you get to your new place.

Don’t forget your cat’s medication if he needs it and also some treats – he will be very much in need of some comfort when you arrive and a few treats can help him start to build positive associations with his new surroundings.

Some people give their cats anti-anxiety medications but I’ve never felt the need to that. It may be something you wish to discuss with your veterinarian.

Lastly, don’t forget to pack yourself an emergency little bag with snacks, drinks, and anything else you need to help you stay relaxed and focused during the journey – it’s going to be a long day!

Arriving At Your New Home

Safe Place

Once you’ve arrived at your new home, it’s best not to let your cat roam freely throughout the entire house right away – especially as you’ll be in and out, carrying stuff in with doors open all the time.

Whatever you do, don’t be tempted to let kitty out of his carrier till he’s safely inside the home – you may never see him again, which is obviously the last thing you want!

Instead, take the carrier straight to a bathroom or another spare room where there’s not going to be much post-moving activity.

Resources

Essentially, you are just going to set your cat up in another “holding” room while you attend to all the other things you need to do.

So set up his food bowl, water bowl, sleeping spots, scratch posts, toys, favorite cardboard box, bedding with his scent on, a cat tree, and anything else you’ve brought along to help him settle in.

If you feel they have been helpful before you can also use your Feliway sprays/diffusers, Rescue Remedy, or play your calming cat music again.

Making sure the room is secure, open the cat carrier door and let kitty start exploring – if he wants to. If not, let him stay in his carrier and come out at his own pace.

Leave the room quietly, double checking everything is secure and your cat can’t escape, and carry on with everything else you need to do – unloading the car, carrying in boxes, greeting the movers, and so on.

Don’t let your cat out of the room before the kerfuffle has died down completely and everything is over for the day.

It can actually be a good idea to keep your cat in his holding room overnight. He’ll be exhausted after the day, and a safe, quiet spot to catch up on some much-needed sleep is just what he needs.

However, if he is stressed and desperate to get out of the room (that would be you again, Spencer!), I would let him out to explore and settle wherever he feels comfortable.

Just make sure you have all doors and windows secure so he can’t escape.

You may not see your kitty for a while but that’s fine. Just let him settle and regroup after his stressful day.

Take Your Time

Remember there’s no rush. The hard part is done! The main thing is that your cat is safe. A few more days of upheaval as you unpack will be fine.

You’ll soon get back into your normal routine and figure out where the best spots are for food, water, litterboxes, scratch posts, cat beds, and so on.

If your cat wants to hide away, just let him. Be patient and wait for him to venture out on his own when he is ready.

Alternatively, if he wants to get involved with the unpacking, it’s a great way to keep him busy and provide some mental stimulation and physical activity after his day of confinement in his carrier.

He’ll also be comforted by the scents of all those familiar objects coming out of the packing boxes.

If your cat is going to be an indoor-outdoor cat, keep him inside for at least a week so he gets used to his new home before venturing further afield. You want to be sure he understands this is his new territory so he knows where to come back to once he starts going outside.

If your new place has a cat flap, lock it or block it so he can’t access it during those early days.

Finally, make sure his microchip, collar, and tags are all up-to-date in case he still manages to get out of the house before you’re ready to take this next step.

Personally, I like the personalized breakaway collars where the cat’s name and phone number are embroidered directly onto them, so you don’t even have to worry about tags (unless they’re a requirement by your local authority – do check first).

It’s worth registering with your new vet too.

READ THIS: 15 Tips On How To Keep An Outdoor Cat From Running Away

Slow Introduction

Assuming your cat has happily stayed in his safe room for the first night, the next step is to slowly introduce him to his new space.

Start by leaving the door open and letting him come out of his room to explore the rest of the house when he’s ready.

Make sure you keep his door open so he can retreat to his safe space whenever he wants to.

Establish Routine

Establish a routine and stick to it. Feed your kitty at the same times you did in your previous house, give him plenty of playtimes, brush his fur, and clean his litter box regularly so he starts to feel more safe and secure in his new environment.

By doing this, your cat will start to become familiar with all the smells and sounds of his new home and will gradually start to settle in. The more predictable you can be with everything, the better.

Playtime

Playing with your cat is more than just a way to have fun, it’s the perfect counter to negative emotions like fear and anxiety.

Play also helps build confidence and acts as a “buffer” against stress (Westlund, 2021).

Interactive toys like chase-and-catch games, feather wand toys, and puzzle feeders are great ways to engage your kitty and give him a surge of feel-good endorphins.

Even if he is too nervous to play at first, leave the toys out anyway. He may come out to explore and play at night when it’s quiet and no one is around.

Eliminate Stressors

Be aware of any loud noises, smells, or disruptions that may add to your cat’s stress levels.

Pay close attention to his body language and if you notice him exhibiting any signs of fear, try to eliminate the source of discomfort as soon as possible.

It’s also important to be patient and not force your cat into any situations that he does not feel comfortable in.

Multiple Resources

Provide a variety of resources in different locations so your cat can make his own choices about where he eats, sleeps, scratches, and poops.

This will help him feel more in control of his environment and is especially important if you have more than one cat.

Patience

Finally, remember to be patient throughout this process.

Moving house can be just as stressful for cats as it is for humans, so try to keep things calm and let your cat take his time to adjust.

It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for your cat to get used to his new home, so don’t expect too much, too soon.

Having said that, if you follow the recommendations I’ve made in this article, you will be well on your way to setting your kitty up for a smooth, successful relocation experience.

Before You Go

Moving day doesn’t have to be overly traumatic for cats and there are simple steps cat owners can take to reduce their cat’s stress levels during this chaotic process.

But what about if you have an anxious cat who still finds it too overwhelming and hides away for days when you arrive at your new home?

If that sounds like your cat, you’ll want to give my article How long will a cat hide if scared? (4 real-life examples!) a read. I even mention Jethro’s 10-day hiding-under-the-shed marathon. It’s really not to be missed!

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How long will a cat hide if scared? (4 real-life examples!)

Recommended Products

• Cat Calming Music
• Feliway®Pheromone Diffuser
• Personalized Breakaway Cat Collars
• Rescue Remedy®
• Water and Food Feeder Bowls For Cat Carrier

Resources

• PLAY – Animal Emotions/Module 4 [Educational Course] – Dr. Karolina Westlund/Illis Animal Behaviour Courses