Published on 24/11/21 & Updated on 11/02/26
The simple answer is – yes, cats actually get more nervous than any other pet when moving house. A cat’s life centres around routine and familiarity and they are particularly sensitive to this. There are steps you can take to make moving house less nerve-racking for your feline friend.
“The important thing is never to assume you own a particularly calm animal” explained Nathan of Falconer Removals. “We’ve had clients make this mistake in the past and has led to some unwarranted attacks from pets during a move.”
When Will Cats Get Nervous?
A cat’s territory is central to it’s comfort and routine – so they will get nervous as soon as the furniture starts moving and possessions start moving into boxes. This will be especially poignant if you leave packing until later, and have to rush over a short period if time, this is worth avoiding to reduce nerves for both yourself and your cat.
“I remember doing a move from Lampeter to Preston, over 150 miles distance. Only, to get to Preston and have the shock of our lives when a cat jumped out of the van” – Nathan Smith, Falconer Removals.
Cat’s can get attached to furniture and belongings which carry their scent, so keep a close eye on your pet at the start of your house move.
How to Prepare Your Cat and Reduce Nerves
The most important message is this: take your time and start early. In our decades of moving experience, we’ve picked up some great tricks…
You can reduce the nerves of moving house for your cat by:
- Using a pheromone diffuser at least 24 hours before moving house – this will help keep your cat comfortable and calm.
- Booking your cat in to stay at a cattery or familiar friend/neighbour during the moving period.
- Keeping to their routine as much as possible – your cat will be used to a set time for food, relaxation and sleep, avoid disrupting this during your move.
- Using a highly reviewed and experience removals company – that way the moving pressure is off you, and you can focus on looking after your family and pets.
Finally, if you’ve moved fairly locally, make sure you exchange contact details with the new residents of you previous house. Your cat may know their way home.
After Moving House
Cats are territorial animals – when cats rub their chins on household objects, it’s not to scratch, it’s to mark their scent. When a cat moves into a new space, the house will be unfamiliar both in sight and scent and their immediate reaction will be to leave and find home.
In fact, cats have been known to travel hundreds of miles to find their familiar home. For this reason, keep your cat indoors for 2 weeks following the move – potentially even longer if your cat is particularly sensitive.
Whilst this may seem cruel and will feel difficult at the time, it could save you from losing your beloved friend. This period will allow your cat to mark their scent and explore their new home and build up a sense of familiarity.
You can speed up this process by quickly unpacking and arranging their litter box, scratching posts and other items in a similar fashion to your previous home, as well as plugging in that trusty pheromone diffuser you used in your last home.
We Can Help With Your Next Move
I hope this article helps your furry friend settle into your new home. If you have any questions or are looking for an experience removals team for your next house move contact us on info@falconerremovals.co.uk. For more information, read our guide on how to move to a new house with a cat.
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Written by Aled Nelmes for Falconer Removals.
