Moving with cats can be pretty challenging. When cats don’t feel 100% safe in their new surroundings, they’re more likely to act out. Meaning, yowling, hiding, scratching furniture – or even running away. But with a little patience, love, time, and effort, your cat can settle into their new home very well. Even better if you can stay on top of their hiding and escaping behaviors, by following their every step.

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Moving with cats: How to get started

  • Get them used to the carrier
    Don’t let moving day be the first time your cat sees their carrier in months. Bring it out early, line it with cozy bedding, and toss in a treat or two. Let your cat explore it at their own pace. You can even leave it open in their favorite nap spot. This can make it feel like just another piece of furniture.
  • Pack gradually
    Start packing in phases so the change doesn’t feel so overwhelming. Leave your cat’s favorite items – like their bed, toys, and scratching post – until the very end. This helps maintain a sense of normalcy.
  • Help your cat relax before the move
    Before the move, gather some of your cat’s blankets or toys that smell like home. Use a pheromone spray or diffuser (like Feliway) to help calm their nerves in both the old and new environments. Else, check in with your vet if your cat gets anxious or has a history of travel issues. They might recommend calming supplements or a mild sedative to help them relax.
  • Update your cat’s microchip & collar info
    Moving with cats means a new address – so don’t forget to update your cat’s ID tags and microchip details. Even better? Equip your cat with a smart GPS & health tracker like Tractive, so if they bolt out the door during the chaos, you’ll know exactly where they are in real-time.
A cat wearing a Tractive GPS tracker in front of a woman checking its LIVE location

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What to do on moving day

Before the moving truck pulls up, place your cat in a quiet room with their carrier, food, water, litter box, and favorite blanket. Check in occasionally to offer comfort and ensure their needs are met.

  • Keep your cat calm during transport
    Give the inside of the carrier a light spritz of pheromone spray before placing your cat inside. Covering the carrier with a towel or blanket can also create a more soothing environment during the ride.
  • Don’t open the carrier on the road
    It might be tempting to comfort your cat mid-ride, but resist the urge. Opening the carrier in a car is a recipe for a feline freakout (and possibly a scratched-up dashboard). Make sure the carrier is securely closed and seat-belted in place to keep your cat safe throughout the trip.
  • Monitor your cat’s behavior
    Keep an eye out for signs of extreme distress, like excessive meowing, panting, or drooling. Even the most well-behaved cat might have an accident due to stress. Line the carrier with absorbent pads, and have pet-safe wipes and a spare blanket or towel on hand just in case.

Read more: How To Travel With A Cat: Tips For A Fun, Safe Road Journey

How to help your cat settle in to their new home

Let your cat explore one room at a time. Their new surroundings can be overwhelming at first. (Especially since it’s a newer, bigger space with unfamiliar sounds and smells.) Stick around so they don’t feel like you’ve abandoned them somewhere unfamiliar. Also:

  • Try and stick to your routine
    The more predictable things are, the faster your cat will feel at home. Try to maintain the same food, litter, and daily rituals for at least the first couple of weeks.
  • Set up a room for your cat
    Including their favorite toys, basket, crate, or blanket, or even a towel with your scent. Place these in your cat’s new sleeping area to help them feel a bit more comfortable in their new surroundings.
  • Give your cat a hiding spot
    Always leave some furniture in the room where they can hide when they feel a bit antsy. (Like chairs or boxes.) Likewise, don’t remove your cat’s carrier from the room just yet. It can actually be a hiding spot they can scamper to.
A cat sitting in a basket with some stuffed toys
  • Don’t confine your cat to any room
    It’ll majorly stress them out – and result in some heavy scratches on your new apartment doors. Besides, if they’re an outdoor cat, they’re unlikely to enjoy too much indoor time either.
  • Be firm when introducing “no go” zones
    Besides narrow, hard to escape from spaces, your kitchen, for example, might include food items that are toxic for cats. So be firm (but not harsh or panicky) when your cat wanders off towards “no go” areas. Give them a little nudge or a firm “No!” when necessary. A gentle spritz of water can also help.

Every cat reacts differently. Some may be prowling the halls in a day. Others might take a week to peek out from under the bed. Let your cat adjust at their own pace. Talk to them softly, spend time in their safe space, and don’t force interactions. With gentle encouragement, they’ll come around.

⚠️ Just watch for signs of stress such as hiding, loss of appetite, or over-grooming. These can be normal reactions to a big change, but if they persist beyond a few days, get in touch with your vet.

How to introduce your cat to their new outdoors

Experts actually suggest you keep your cat inside for about 3 weeks before letting them go outside. The stress of an unfamiliar environment may cause your cat to run away. (Maybe even back to your older apartment or home!) Which is why, when you’re moving with cats, it’s smart to introduce them to the new outdoors, step by step.

  • Start with supervised outdoors time
    If you stay close, they gradually learn that the outdoors is a “safe” space. Get some playtime in your garden or backyard to help your cat slowly settle into it. (It’ll become their territory in no time.) Just make sure to watch out for any plants that are poisonous for cats.
  • Learn your cat’s favorite hiding (or hangout) spots
    As your cat slowly grows familiar with their new outdoor space, you’ll find them spending more of their time in certain spots. In fact, over time, your backyard – and part of your neighborhood – might just end up as part of an outdoor cat’s territory. Which may seem cute – until you realize your cat is busy invading your neighbors’ yards or picking a fight with the local pets.

💡 That’s why it makes sense to keep track of their favorite spots – whether that’s for hiding or just hanging out. Even better if you can figure out their territory – with just a glance at your phone.

cat territory as shown in the tractive gps app
A cat’s territory marked in yellow in the Tractive GPS app.

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Where a smart cat collar can come in handy

Once you open up the doors (and windows) in your new home, your cat might be extra curious – and a little disoriented. That’s where a Tractive GPS tracker for cats comes in handy. Whether your cat is adjusting to a new backyard or sneaking into the neighbor’s garage, you’ll be able to see their location at any time, right from your phone.

Tractive GPS CAT Mini Live Location on the app

Here’s what you get with it strapped to your cat’s collar:

  • Real-time location tracking
    With LIVE mode, so you can follow your cat’s every step – as they make their every step. Now if they get spooked or wander too far, you’ll have eyes on them instantly.
  • A 24-hour Location History
    So you see where your cat has been throughout the day – perfect for spotting patterns or favorite hiding places in a new neighborhood. (365 days on a Premium subscription.)
  • Customizable Virtual Fences
    From your mobile app, you can set safe zones around your home and get immediate escape alerts if your cat steps outside them. It’s like a digital safety net – perfect for nervous movers with curious kitties.
  • Health monitoring
    Tractive also tracks your cat’s activity levels and sleep habits, so you can spot changes in behavior that might signal stress or health issues during the adjustment period. It’s a powerful tool for peace of mind – and an extra way to stay connected to your four-legged friend.
cat wearing tractive gps cat tracker collar, app screenshot showcasing live tracking for cats

Track your cat wherever they go

Get real-time location information, wherever they go. Find out when they go somewhere they shouldn’t, with Virtual Fences. And discover their favorite spots with Territory.

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And if you’ve found this post helpful, share it with a fellow cat parent – and let’s help build a safer, stress-free world for our feline friends together.