Moving to a new home is an exciting chapter, but it can be a challenging experience for our cats who are creatures of habit and may find the upheaval of their territory disorienting. There are numerous stories of cats running away from new homes and making their way back to their old homes, so here are tips on how you can ease the transition for your cat and help them establish a safe base in their new environment.
1. Pre-Move Preparations
Cats can be sensitive to changes in their environment. Gradually introduce moving boxes and packing materials to your cat, allowing them to investigate at their own pace. Indoor cats may need to be kept in one room as packing often means loud sticky tape sounds and doors needing to be kept open.
Cats thrive on routine, and disruptions can be stressful. Stick to your cat's regular feeding, play, and cuddle times as much as possible. Consistency will provide a sense of stability during the chaotic moving process.
For very anxious cats a few weeks at a cattery is often a better option than them freaking out at home with all the changes around them then in the new home as well before its fully ready. Look out for signs of more abnormal behaviour like increased hiding, reduced appetite and outdoor cats not coming home.
2. Secure Transportation
When moving day arrives, ensure your cat is safely secured in a well-ventilated carrier. I often find a blanket over the carrier to keep it dark (maybe with the front visible) is often better tolerated as there isn't light stimulation coming in from all sides and they feel safer like in a box. Keep talking to them in the car with a calm voice.
3. Creating a Safe Haven in the New Home
Upon arrival at the new home, set up a quiet, safe space for your cat similar to the one in the previous residence. Familiar scents and possessions will help them feel more at ease in this new environment. This could be in the bedroom or bathroom. I would suggest to keep the area very small at first and they reliably use the litterbox in that space before expanding the area. This will help them to establish a new safe base and prevent spraying around the house, which is a sign of stress and spreading their scent to establish a safe base.
4. Gradual Exploration
Allow your cat to explore the new space at their own pace. Start with one room and gradually open up access to the entire house as they become more comfortable. Signs of spraying outside the litterbox is a sign of stress and moving too much too fast. If the original room has been established as a safe base, when cats get over stimulated or scared, they will run back to that original room. Supervise their explorations and provide positive reinforcement with treats and affection.
Place familiar items, such as their bed, toys, and scratching posts, in various areas of the new home. These familiar scents will provide a sense of security and familiarity, making the transition smoother.
5. Patience and Observation
Cats may take time to adjust to a new environment, and some may be more resilient than others. Be patient, observe their behavior, and provide extra attention and comfort as needed. If your cat seems stressed, consider using pheromone diffusers to promote a sense of calm.
6. Re-establishing Territory
Cats are territorial animals, so it's essential to allow them to mark their new territory, but in a way that is not stressful. Provide scratching posts and all them to roll on the ground and head butt all the corners will help them feel in control and safe.
7. Outdoor Access
It takes at least 2-3 weeks before a cat fully establishes a new environment as its safe base. For outdoors cat I would not advise letting them out before their recall is secure (meaning they come back when called) and you have seen confirmation that when they are startled or scared they run back into your new home because they recognise that as their safe base. Then I would monitor and observe them going out the first few times before letting them out by themselves.
Remember that there may be other cats in the neighborhood! And there will be a process in which cats will need to establish their territory and may have run-ins with local cats. Remember to check all over your cats when they come home (for fleas as well as injuries), and signs of abnormal behvaiour as cats are very good at masking pain.
8. Regular Vet Check-Up
A move can be stressful for cats, so schedule a vet check-up to ensure they are in good health. Discuss any behavioral changes or concerns with your veterinarian to address them promptly.
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