Moving home with cats: tips for overcoming it

Cats are very territorial animals and do not like change. Therefore, if you are considering a home move with cats at home, it is important that you follow a series of steps to prevent it from becoming a traumatic experience for the feline. Cats are very sensitive to changes and stress; so much so, that it can cause them anxiety or health problems. Let's not forget that their home is the place where they feel safe, where their needs are covered, and they're protected from other animals. 

To make moving home with a cat as easy as possible, here are some tips. 

Before the move: tips before moving home with cats

A home move with cats starts before arriving at the new house. Therefore, when starting the process, it is advisable to do the following:

• Get the cat used to being in the carrier before the trip, putting a blanket and food they like inside. In this way you will associate it with something positive and your cat will not be afraid to go inside it. 
• Make packing time fun. Many cats like to play with boxes, so you can even leave one out there for him to experiment with and see that there's nothing wrong with having it around. 
• Maintain the cat's routines and play with him as much as possible to keep him distracted until the day of the move. 

Moving day

This day is the most crucial since there will be movement of boxes, noises, people leaving and entering... Your cat may be more stressed, so:

Prepare a safe room for their things, a place where they can hide and where you can close the door. That room will be the last one you empty, since, in a home move with cats, the last thing you move is yourselves and your pets.

In any case, if you know that your cat gets very stressed with the carrier or the trip, you can always consult your veterinarian in case you can give them a sedative, if they are having a very bad time. 

Arrival at the new house

How do you adapt a cat to a new house? By doing the following:

• Preparing a safe room for the cat. It will be their refuge until they adjust, so allow it to be their space. Leave their things (bed, blankets, scratchers, etc.) and their favourite food there; however, bear in mind that on the first day they may not touch their food. When you notice that they feel more secure, leave the door open for them to explore the rest of the house. 
• Trying to maintain the routines they had in the other house. Play with your cat, pay attention to them... Remember that environmental enrichment is fundamental for adaptation and emotional well-being.
• Rub a piece of clothing on the cat's head and then do the same on corners, edges, doors... so that the pheromones are distributed around the house. Repeat for a few days until the cat starts to do it on its own. 
• Don't force it. If there aren't any traumas or socialisation problems, the cat will have adapted to the new environment within a week or a week and a half. However, if you consider that after that time the cat is depressed due to the change of house, it is best to consult the veterinarian.

A home move with cats is always complicated, but with all these tips you can reduce your kitty's stress to a minimum. Best of luck!