Moving with cats is very different from a regular move. Cats are deeply territorial animals, and a sudden change of environment can disrupt their routine, sense of safety, and everything they know. Something simple for us, like moving a couch or the arrival of a moving crew, can feel like chaos to them.
Most problems come from agitation, noise, and the disappearance of familiar items around the house. Some cats hide under the bed for days, others refuse to eat, and older cats may react even more strongly to sudden changes. The good news is that much of this stress can be prevented if you start preparing early and follow a few essential steps: a safe room, a carrier they feel comfortable in, gradual packing, and keeping their routine intact.
This guide is based on veterinary recommendations as well as real experiences from people who have moved with their cats.
This is where our experience comes in: for more than four decades, our team has worked with hundreds of families — each with pets of different ages and temperaments. We’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and which moments are most delicate when relocating a cat. You’ll find everything in the sections below.
Why is moving so stressful for cats?
For cats, home is a territory where every scent, every corner, and every routine gives them a sense of safety. Anything that changes suddenly (like moving furniture, new boxes appearing, strange noises, or doors constantly opening and closing) signals to them that something is wrong. That’s why many cats react with fear, hide, become irritable, or refuse to eat.
Their stress also comes from the fact that they lack control over their environment. Unlike dogs, cats have a strong instinct to protect their territory, and any intruder or sudden change can unsettle them. Even cats that seem confident can become anxious when their routine is disrupted.
Common signs include:
- prolonged hiding
- unusual vocalizations
- trembling
- sudden or skittish movements
- urinating outside the litter box
- loss of appetite
In older or more sensitive cats, these reactions can intensify, and adjustment may take longer.
Moving is difficult for them because they feel they’re losing control over the only familiar space they have. The situation is somewhat similar when moving with a dog, and we’ve covered that in a separate article.
What should you do before the moving company arrives?
Preparation starts long before the moving crew shows up at your door. This is the stage where you can reduce most of your cat’s stress and make sure that, on moving day, everything goes smoothly and without panic.
The first step is to plan around your cat’s needs, because a familiar environment and a stable routine can make all the difference.
If you know you have a skittish or more anxious cat, talk to your veterinarian before the relocation. Sometimes synthetic pheromones, calming supplements, or mild anti-anxiety medication may be recommended to help during the transition. It’s important that any treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian!
At the same time, prepare a safe room in your current home. A space where the moving crew won’t enter and where your cat won’t be exposed to noise, boxes, or commotion.
In that room, place the litter box, water, food, bed, an item with a familiar scent, and the carrier. The more time your cat spends in a quiet space, the less stress she’ll feel from the upcoming change.
Packing should be done gradually, never the day before. Cats notice immediately when familiar objects start disappearing, and if everything changes suddenly, their instinct is to hide or go into alert mode.
Pack in stages: start with items from rooms you use less frequently, then move on to the rest.
During this period, watch for any behavioral changes. If you notice signs of intense stress (vomiting, reduced appetite, extreme agitation), contact your veterinarian again. Even if it seems like “just stress,” early intervention prevents more serious issues.
This stage sets the foundation for a move where your cat doesn’t feel lost, but protected and safe.
How to get your cat comfortable with the carrier
The carrier is one of the biggest sources of stress for cats, especially if they only see it on the way to the vet. To avoid panic on moving day, the carrier needs to be introduced well in advance and turned into a familiar space.
Start by leaving the carrier open in a room your cat spends a lot of time in. Place inside a blanket with her scent, a few treats, or a favorite toy.
It’s important to let her go in and out on her own, explore at her own pace, without pressure. Sometimes it takes a few hours, other times a few days, depending on the cat.
Along the way, you can create small positive moments around the carrier: feeding near the entrance, playing around it, gentle petting when she approaches it. The idea is for your cat to perceive the carrier as a safe place.
If you want to prepare her even better for the trip, do a few short sessions where you close the door for a few seconds and then let her out. Later, you can take very short car rides — 1 to 2 minutes long.
Simple and useful rules, in short:
- leave the carrier out in the house at least a few days before the move
- don’t force your cat to go inside; give her the freedom to explore
- place a blanket or an item with her scent inside
- play around the carrier so she doesn’t perceive it as an “off-limits” object
- do brief closed-and-open sessions to help her get used to it
- avoid using the carrier only for unpleasant situations (vet visits, medication, etc.)
Why you need to keep your cat’s routine before moving day
Cats feel safest when their environment and routine remain predictable. Any change in schedule, scents, or surroundings can cause discomfort — and a move intensifies all of these triggers. That’s why keeping their routine consistent becomes one of the most important steps for reducing stress.
Even if the house is being packed up, furniture is being moved, and new people come in, things should remain the same for your cat: feeding times, your interactions with her, the places where she sleeps, and even the way you talk to her. This stability tells her that, despite the obvious changes, the foundation of her world is still intact.
Packing is a sensitive stage. If you do it abruptly, in just one day, your cat may feel like the home is suddenly changing in a stressful way and will likely try to hide. But if you pack gradually, starting with the items you don’t use daily, you give her time to process the change.
Another important aspect is scent. For cats, scent is their primary way of navigating their world. That’s why you shouldn’t wash all her blankets, pillows, and belongings before the move. Leave them exactly as they are, with the familiar scent of the old home.
What needs to remain stable until moving day?
- regular feeding times
- litter box access in the same spot
- playtime (even short sessions)
- her favorite sleeping places
- her belongings (blanket, toys, tunnel) kept in the same spot
- interaction with you — don’t avoid her because of the moving chaos
Moving day: how to keep your cat safe
Moving day is the most intense part of the entire process for any cat. Noise, doors constantly opening and closing, strangers in the house, constant activity… all of this can trigger instant panic.
That’s why the most important thing you can do is create a space where none of that chaos can reach her.
The first step is to place your cat in a quiet, enclosed room where no one from the moving crew will enter. In that room, set up the litter box, food, water, familiar blankets, and the carrier. This room becomes her refuge for the entire day, and if you have multiple cats, it’s best to separate them to avoid conflicts during stressful moments.
Do not let your cat roam freely around the house while furniture and boxes are being moved. A single moment with the door left open is enough for a cat to run outside or hide somewhere very hard to reach. A simple sign on the door for the moving team can prevent accidents or escapes.
As the move progresses, keep everything ready in the room so that when it’s time to put her in the carrier, the whole process is as short and calm as possible. Speak to her gently, without rushing, and if you’ve been using pheromones in the past few days, continue to lightly spray them on the blanket inside the carrier.
Mini-checklist for moving day
- Make sure your cat is in a safe room with the door closed.
- Keep the litter box, water, food, and her familiar blankets in the same room.
- Leave the carrier ready and open so she can explore it calmly.
- Use pheromones or treats to help reduce stress.
- Put a clear sign on the door: “Do not open – cat inside.”
- Double-check the room before you leave, just to be safe.
Long-distance moves with your cat
A long-distance move is different, because your cat will spend more time in the carrier and in a constantly changing environment. That’s why preparation needs to be done calmly and ahead of time, and the trip organized so your cat is protected from noise, extreme temperatures, and overstimulation.
- In the car, the carrier must be secured so it doesn’t tip over during sudden stops or turns.
- A thin blanket placed over half the carrier can help your cat feel safer without being completely isolated.
- Make sure the temperature remains consistent and that cold air isn’t blowing directly on your cat.
If the trip is very long, short breaks may be necessary, but without letting your cat roam freely outside or inside the car. The safest option is for her to remain in the carrier, even during stops.
If you’re staying overnight somewhere, keep her in one room with the door closed, following the same rules as on moving day and with the same familiar items.
For more sensitive cats, talk to your veterinarian before the trip. They may recommend pheromones or mild anti-anxiety medication, strictly to make the journey manageable — not to fully sedate her.
Tips for long-distance travel
- Secure the carrier in the car so it doesn’t move at all.
- Keep the temperature consistent and avoid direct airflow.
- Partially cover the carrier to reduce visual stimulation, while ensuring proper ventilation.
- Do not take your cat out of the carrier during breaks.
- Keep an emergency kit handy: wipes, bags, water, blanket, treats.
- If you’re staying somewhere overnight, give her one safe room with the door closed.
The first days in the new home: how your cat adjusts
Even if the trip went well, the sudden change in environment may make your cat hide, refuse food, or explore very cautiously. All these reactions are normal and don’t indicate a problem as long as they stay within reasonable limits.
- At first, the most important thing is to offer a safe room, similar to the one in the old home: litter box, water, food, a familiar blanket, hiding spots, and the carrier left open.
This space becomes her refuge until she gains confidence. Don’t force the door open and don’t carry her around the house; cats need to discover their new territory on their own, at their own pace.
- Usually, the first 2–3 days are the time when they hide the most.
Some only come out at night to eat or use the litter box, while others stay under the bed for extended periods. This behavior is normal as long as she eats at least a little, drinks water, and uses the litter box.
- By day four or five, most cats begin to explore gradually.
They approach the door, step out briefly, then return, testing new scents and getting used to the home’s sounds. As they make wider circles and explore more, the initial room remains their “safe base” they can return to anytime.
- By the end of the first week, their behavior usually starts to stabilize.
- After two weeks, most cats behave as if they’ve lived there forever.
These timelines are approximate, but helpful for setting realistic expectations.
Normal signs in the first days:
- prolonged hiding
- eating only at night
- avoiding eye contact
- sudden or skittish movements when startled
- gradual exploration in small steps
Signs that you should call the veterinarian:
- not eating anything for 24–48 hours
- not urinating in the litter box
- repeated vomiting
- difficulty breathing
- deep lethargy
- signs of pain (loud vocalizing, a tense or hunched posture)
Frequently asked questions about moving with cats
- My cat has been hiding since we arrived at the new home. Is this normal?
Yes. Most cats hide for the first 2–3 days after a move, sometimes even longer. You can keep the safe-room door open only when she wants to come out, without forcing her to explore. As long as she eats a little, drinks water, and uses the litter box, this is normal behavior.
- How long can a cat go without eating after a move?
Ideally, she should eat at least a little within the first 24–36 hours. If she refuses food entirely for more than 48 hours, it’s best to call your veterinarian. Cats can develop serious liver problems quickly, especially during periods of intense stress.
- What should I do if my cat isn’t using the litter box after the move?
The change of environment can temporarily disrupt your cat’s habits. If she hasn’t urinated at all within the first 24 hours, or if she starts looking for inappropriate places, move the litter box closer to where she’s hiding. If the situation continues, contact your veterinarian, as urinary retention can be dangerous.
- My cat vomited after the move. Is this a cause for concern?
Occasional vomiting can occur due to stress or sudden changes. However, if she vomits repeatedly, refuses water, or seems dehydrated, it’s important to seek veterinary advice. Stress can trigger more sensitive reactions, especially in older cats.
- How do I move an elderly cat or one with health issues?
Older cats react more strongly to changes. Make sure you have all medications ready, keep her routine as stable as possible, and ask your veterinarian for clear recommendations before the move. A quiet, safe room with familiar scents will help her adjust more easily.
- Can I let my cat roam freely in the house right after moving?
It’s not recommended. In the first days, the safe room is the best approach. Only once you see her coming out calmly and exploring at her own pace should you expand access to the rest of the home.
- What if I have two or more cats?
Moving can increase existing tensions between cats. Ideally, house them separately, each in its own safe room, and reintroduce them gradually into the shared space. Familiar scents and controlled environments help prevent conflicts.
- How can I help my cat feel “at home” faster in the new place?
Bringing items with familiar scents, maintaining her routine, and providing a secure hiding spot are the most effective ways. Avoid visitors, loud noise, and major changes during the first few days.
What truly matters after the entire process is that…
Moving with a cat isn’t simple, but it’s far from impossible. It’s a process that requires patience, organization, and a bit of understanding of how cats perceive the world. If you maintain her routine, provide safe spaces, and pay attention to her signals, the transition becomes much easier than it seems at first.
After decades spent working alongside people and their pets, we’ve seen the same thing happen again and again: cats adapt — sometimes faster than you’d expect. With time, calm, and the right steps, any relocation can become a safe and comfortable new beginning for both you and your cat.
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