Helping your cat settle into a new home

Cats are creatures of habit. A new home means new smells, new sounds and no familiar hiding spots, so it's normal for even confident cats to hide for a while after a move. With a slow, calm approach, most settle in within a few days to a few weeks.

Before the move

• Leave the carrier out for a couple of weeks with a blanket and treats inside, so it's familiar.
• Keep routines (meals, play) as normal as possible during packing.
• Update ID with your new address and number.
• Keep your cat in a quiet room on moving day, with the door closed and a sign on it, so they don't slip out.

Set up a safe room

In the new home, prepare one quiet room before your cat arrives:

• Litter box (on the far side from food)
• Food and water
• Their bed and unwashed blankets that smell familiar
• A hiding spot, like a box or the open carrier
• A scratching post
• A few toys

A spritz of Calming Environment Mist on fabrics in the room, never on your cat, can add a soft scent to the space. Cats are sensitive to scents and some essential oils can be harmful to them, so check the label and ask your vet before using any scented product around cats, and keep the room ventilated.

Arrival day

1. Bring your cat straight to the safe room in the carrier.
2. Close the door, open the carrier and let them come out on their own.
3. Sit quietly for a while, then leave them to explore.

Don't pull your cat out of hiding. Let them choose when to come out.

Expanding their world

When your cat is eating, using the litter box and coming out to greet you (often after a few days), open the door and let them explore one more room at a time. Keep the safe room available as a retreat.

• Keep windows and balcony doors closed, and check for gaps.
• Watch for hiding spots you can't reach, like inside appliances or false ceilings.
• Keep outdoor-access cats indoors for several weeks.

Signs your cat is settling

• Eating and drinking normally
• Using the litter box
• Grooming, playing and exploring
• Sleeping in open spaces
• Rubbing their face on furniture (marking it as "theirs")

When to call the vet

If your cat doesn't eat for more than a day, stops using the litter box, hides constantly for more than a week or two, or seems unwell, see your vet. Cats that stop eating can get sick quickly.

Moving with a dog too?

Dogs adjust differently but also find moves stressful. Keep walks and meals on schedule and read travelling with pets by car for the journey itself.