If you’ve recently moved your cat to a new home, it’s not unusual to find your cat hiding after the move or may be your cat is meowing a lot suddenly. I’ve been through it myself and know that moving homes can be stressful on its own. Add to that cat worries and this whole situation can seem a bit over whelming. But you have nothing to worry, help is here.
In this article, I’ll go over everything I know about how to get a cat used to a new home.
Unpack your belongings (Before your furry friend arrives)
If your cat gets stressed easily, it’s probably best to move them once you’ve unpacked all your things in the new home. That way when they find things that have your scent, all over the house, it won’t be so scary anymore. Set up her bed in a quiet & warm corner, throw her favorite blanket open, put her toys everywhere.
We cannot possibly imagine the stress they go through leaving the place they call home. So, the easier we can make this transition, the faster they will integrate into your new home.
Converting fear into exploration/fun
Cats are territorial and have a lot of strings attached to the home they live in. As a result, change is often times accompanied by anxiety and fear of the unknown. When you introduce your kitty to your new home, it’s a good idea to take it slow and go one room at a time. Most cats hide under a bed or in a closet anyway so why not start from that room.
Place their food, water & litter box close to them. It would be best if you can spend a majority of the day/night in that room with the kitty (at least on the first day). This is the fastest way to make them get over their fear and adapt to the new home.
You know how curious cats are. In a matter of hours, they will come out and start exploring the room and within a day or two, that curiosity will extend to checking out other rooms as well. Who could have seen it coming? 😀
What to do if your cat’s hiding after the move?
It’s quite normal for cats to go into hiding after you move them to an unfamiliar place. But it’s equally true that the curiosity of wanting to explore the new home is almost un-bearable in cats. So given enough time, they will come out on their own.
However, to speed up the process, you can invite them to play games. For example, if they’re hiding under a bed, play a string game and try to draw them out to a treat. Engage with them like you normally would and maintain their usual routine and you should find them emerging pretty soon.
Why is my cat meowing a lot after moving?
Cats claim ownership to a home by rubbing their chins and tail all over the house. By doing this, they’re putting their scent everywhere. And all of a sudden, when they can’t smell their own scent and that of their human companions in a new environment, they get disoriented and insecure.
Nothing’s more important to a cat than wanting to go back home from an alien place. The only home for them is the one they left. So, if they’re meowing non-stop, they’re simply pleading you to take them home.
In such cases, making your cat feel like home has moved with her is the best thing to do. You can do that by bringing as much of her things to the new home as possible. Further, get a cat tree and put it near a window (a tall one) so that he/she can get most of the outside views.
Additionally, Pheromone sprays are known to calm cats and may be recommended by a vet. Many people have reported calming their cats by spraying it all over their new homes.
Summary
Moving your cat to a new home and helping them settle is without a doubt challenging. Follow these tips, and you can make this process stress-free for yourself and your cat.
