Guides and tips
Moving to a new house with a cat
Moving is a major change for any household, but for a cat, it can be even more stressful. Cats are deeply attached to their environment and often struggle to adjust when everything around them shifts. If you live with more than one cat or also have a dog, the challenge increases.
In this article, you'll find practical advice on how to handle the transition, protect their emotional balance and rebuild a sense of safety in your new home.
Guides and tips
Before the move
Moving to a new house with a cat
The period before the move is crucial for your cat’s emotional preparation. Upcoming changes may trigger stress, but small adjustments can help your cat feel safer and more in control. If you have more than one cat or a dog, proper planning helps reduce tension and smooth the transition.
Maintain routine
Cats depend on consistency. Keep daily schedules stable:
Feeding at the same times
Regular litter box cleaning
Consistent interaction (playtime, cuddles)
Routine acts as a stress buffer and prepares them for the changes ahead.
Create temporary individual spaces. Before packing begins, set up safe areas for each cat with essentials like food, water, litter box and toys. This helps minimize tension as the environment starts to shift.
Gradual packing
Sudden changes in the environment and loud noises significantly increase a cat’s stress levels.
Important:
Start packing a few weeks in advance
Leave some boxes open for exploration
Gradually remove furniture or her favorite spots
This allows your cat to process changes slowly and retain a sense of spatial control.
For multi-cat households
Disrupted balance can affect inter-cat dynamics.
Keep in mind:
Changes may spark tension or conflict
Set up temporary separate spaces with food, water, litter and rest areas
Watch for signs of withdrawal or aggression and allow space
Avoiding unsupervised shared spaces helps prevent clashes and maintain harmony.
Calm zone
Noise, visitors and activity can unsettle your cat.
Provide a calm “safe haven”:
A quiet room away from busy areas
Low light and reduced noise
Familiar items like, bed, blankets, toys
Access to litter, food and water
Positive reinforcement. Reward calm behavior in their individual spaces with treats or affection. This helps associate solitude with positive experiences and eases the anxiety of change.
Guides and tips
During the move
Moving to a new house with a cat
Moving day is usually full of stress, noise, and haste, elements that can easily overwhelm a cat. The way you organize the transport directly affects her emotional state and how quickly she’ll adapt to the new environment. Careful handling on that day is especially important when multiple cats or dogs are involved.
Safe and calm transport
Place the cat in a carrier she already knows (with familiar blankets or toys).
Ensure the travel space is quiet, avoiding sudden movements or loud sounds.
Cover the carrier with a light sheet to reduce visual stimulation.
Spray the inside of the carrier with a natural feline pheromone 10–15 minutes before use. Speak to her gently throughout the trip to provide a sense of presence and security.
Transporting multiple cats
Do not place cats together in the same carrier, even if they’re bonded. The stress of the moment can cause sudden conflict.
Use separate carriers, positioned close together but with no visual contact if there's a history of rivalry.
If you’re not transporting the carriers yourself, attach labels with each cat’s name and key notes (e.g. “Shy, do not open”).
If there's also a dog
Important:
Transport the dog in a separate vehicle or in a different section of the car, away from the cats.
If this isn’t possible, make sure the dog is securely restrained (e.g. with a seatbelt or crate) and that the cats have no direct or visual contact with him.
If the dog is highly energetic, consider moving him first and settling him into the new space before the cats arrive to avoid increasing their stress.
Guides and tips
In the new home
Moving to a new house with a cat
Your cat’s first contact with the new space plays a critical role in her sense of safety and emotional adjustment. New stimuli can trigger stress, fear, or confusion. If there are other cats or a dog in the household, it’s important to manage introductions carefully through calm, gradual steps.
One room at a time
Start with a small, quiet room equipped with her familiar items—blankets, litter box, food, and toys. This space acts as her “safety base.”
Allow her to explore at her own pace. Only once she seems comfortable, give her access to more rooms.
If you’re moving multiple cats, set them up in separate rooms at first to prevent tension in unfamiliar territory.
Gradual cat-to-cat introductions
Begin by exchanging scents, rub each cat with a soft cloth and place it in the other cat’s space.
Then, allow brief, supervised visual contact using barriers like baby gates or cracked doors.
Gradually increase the duration and clarity of their interaction, rewarding all calm behavior with treats or affection.
Your cat may hide or behave more distantly at first. This is normal. Give her time without pressure. Avoid access to outdoor areas or balconies for at least 2-3 weeks, even if she was used to them before.
Living with a dog
The first meeting should only happen after your cat feels safe and comfortable in her own room..
Keep the dog leashed and calm. Don’t allow close contact if he shows signs of overexcitement.
Keep interactions short and at a distance, and reward calm behavior from both animals.
Use soft lighting and calming sounds (like cat-specific music or gentle talking) to reduce stress. If your cat seems scared or hides, end the interaction and return to the “safe space” stage.
Using pheromones
Synthetic feline pheromones (spray or plug-in) can help your cat associate the new environment with calmness.
Place them in rooms where she spends the most time, especially her initial room.
Note: Pheromones can ease adjustment, but they’re not enough on their own. Always pair them with the right guardian behavior, gradual introduction, patience and no pressure.
Guides and tips
The role of living space
Moving to a new house with a cat
The available space plays a crucial role in the harmonious coexistence of pets, especially when more than one cat is involved or when cats and dogs share the home. Proper layout can prevent tension, provide calming zones, and ease the transition to a new environment.
Zones in a larger home
In a larger home, it’s easier to designate separate areas for eating, resting, playing, and hiding for each animal.
Clear boundaries reduce the chance of conflict and help each animal feel in control of its own space.
If you have multiple cats, you can use rooms or large corners for temporary separation or gradual socialization.
Separate resources for each animal
In multi-pet households, it’s important that they don’t share essential items like food, water, litter boxes, or beds.
Provide at least one more resource than the number of animals (e.g., 3 litter boxes for 2 cats).
Avoid clustering all resources in one spot, especially if there are signs of dominance or tension.
Vertical use of space in smaller homes
In limited spaces, vertical design is your ally..
Install shelves, wooden platforms, or hideouts at different heights, giving each cat her own “lookout” or calm zone.
These spots act as safe retreats during stress or when sharing space with a dog.
void areas with high human activity, such as near the entrance or the washing machine, to ensure a true sense of privacy. If a dog tends to disturb the cat while she eats or uses the litter box, create physical barriers or use vertical separation to help maintain her privacy.
Guides and tips
Long-term stability and behavioral monitoring
The move doesn’t end with the physical relocation. The adjustment period can last weeks or even months and requires observation, consistency and support from the guardian. Preventing future issues depends on early detection of signs of discomfort and reinforcing positive experiences.
Moving to a new house with a cat
Maintain routine
Keep a consistent schedule for meals, litter cleaning and playtime.
Predictable conditions help animals feel safe and in control in their new environment.
Avoid further changes (e.g. new furniture) during the first weeks.
Keep notes on behavioral shifts to track progress or identify issues early.
Behavioral observation
Watch if the cat:
eats and drinks normally
uses the litter box
shows interest in play or exploration
seeks or avoids contact with housemates
If you observe excessive withdrawal, aggression or prolonged stress, consult a professional (e.g. vet or behaviorist).
Supporting social relationships
Encourage positive interactions through play, treats and calm presence.
Allow relationships to develop at their own pace, without pressure.
Don’t force contact, natural progression is always more stable and effective.
Guides and tips
Conclusion
Moving can be a stressful experience for cats, but with proper preparation, understanding, and respect for their needs, adjustment can happen gradually and safely. Each cat is unique, and the pace at which it feels comfortable in a new environment depends on many factors.
By offering time, space, and positive experiences, the guardian can meaningfully support the transition and help rebuild a sense of stability and trust.
