Return to Pet Guides Page

Moving to a new home with your cat

Moving to a new home can be stressful for both you and your pets. Cats are highly territorial animals which are often as closely attached to their surroundings as they are to their owners. So not surprisingly many cats try to return to their old home after their owners change addresses if it is nearby. Some simple precautions can help to reduce the risk of your cat becoming permanently lost.

How long will it take for my cat to adjust to our new home?

This depends on a number of factors but your cat's temperament is particularly important. Cats are adaptable and most will eventually adjust to their new surroundings. This may take some cats a few days and others a few weeks.

What preparations are needed before the move?

Make sure that your cat is fitted with a collar and name tag with your new address and telephone number. However, collars can be lost, so having a microchip implant will ensure that your cat can be permanently identified as belonging to you. If your cat has not been neutered consider having this done. The operation will help to minimize the risk of your cat straying but the surgery must be performed well before the move. Talk with your veterinarian regarding sedatives if you think your cat may need them.

What should I do during the move?

Your cat should be safely secured inside a pet carrier. It should travel with you rather than being put in the moving van. If possible, do not let your cat out at the new house until the moving crew have left and the new home is quiet. If your new home is not finished or there is noisy building work going on, consider boarding your cat until this has been completed.

What should I do when we arrive?

Only allow your cat out of its pet carrier if all the windows and doors are tightly secured and allow it access to one room at a time. Give your cat a good meal, clean litter box, and a warm and comfortable place to sleep. Giving your cat plenty of attention will help to overcome its natural anxiety about the strange surroundings.

When can my cat be allowed outside?

If your cat has been used to an outdoor life, it will probably cope better with the move than if it has been kept permanently indoors because it will be used to novel experiences. If yours is an indoor cat, introduce it to the new home gradually room by room. An outdoor cat should be kept inside for several days until it has familiarized itself with the interior of your new home. Some cat experts recommend a period of up to a month. Put your cat on a lead when you first allow it outside. Let it out once a day initially and call it in for food after about 10-15 minutes.

Will my cat fight with other cats?

There is always a risk of your cat fighting with any resident cats until it finds a place in the local pecking order and establishes its new territory. The more cats there are in the neighborhood, the greater the chance of fighting. This is even more likely if your cat has not been neutered. Keep a close eye on your cat for any signs of fight wounds each time it comes home if wounds go untreated there is a risk of abscesses developing. If you are only staying at the new address for a short time, consider boarding your cat until you are ready to move into your permanent home.

Will putting butter on my cat's paws help?

There is no truth in the old belief that smearing butter on a cat's paws will discourage it from straying. Cats do not like having sticky paws and the experience will only make your cat feel even more stressed.

What if my cat goes back to our old house?

The risk of a cat returning to its old home is obviously related to the distance that is has moved. If your new home is only a few streets away then there is every likelihood of your cat stumbling into familiar territory. Cats have been known to travel long distances to their old home. Before moving, ask the new owners of your old house and any neighbors who knew your cat to keep a lookout in case it does come back. Make sure that they have your telephone number in case you need to come back and collect your cat. But if all else fails and your cat keeps going back, you might consider asking them to adopt your pet.

Click here to download a personal copy of this guide.

Return to Pet Guides Page