Moving house with your cat: moving day, a safe room and the first weeks

Cats are a territorial species; according to International Cat Care, they form strong bonds with their home. That's why moving can be very stressful for them. Planning ahead helps your cat get through the change with less anxiety. In this article we walk through International Cat Care's advice in a simple order, from moving day to the first weeks in the new home.

Before and on moving day

International Cat Care suggests planning moving day for your cat like this:

1. One room: Before the removal van arrives, keep your cat in a single room (a bedroom is often ideal). Since this room will probably become your cat's safe place in the new house too, think about where its furniture will go there. Keep the door and windows shut so your cat can't escape.
2. Put their things in: Carrier, bed, blanket, food and water bowls, scratching post and litter box all go in this room. The organization says these reassure your cat and allow normal behavior.
3. Put a note on the door: So the movers and the whole family know the door stays shut.
4. Leave this room for last: Once the other rooms are empty, this room's contents go in the van. Before the last furniture leaves, put your cat in the carrier (a light blanket over it can reduce stress) and into the car.
5. In the car: Secure the carrier in the rear footwell or on the back seat with a seatbelt. International Cat Care says not to transport your cat in the removal van or the trunk.

If your cat isn't used to the carrier, see our carrier guide; getting your cat used to it ahead of time makes moving day much easier.

• Stops on a long trip: The organization says you can offer water or a litter box, but most cats won't be interested. If you stop, do it somewhere your cat can't escape.
• In hot weather: Keep the car well ventilated, and never leave your cat in a hot car when you stop. International Cat Care reminds us heatstroke can be fatal.
• Several cats: The organization suggests separate carriers for each cat; travel can stress even the best of friends.

First hours in the new home: the safe room

International Cat Care's advice for the new home:

1. Get the room ready first: The bedroom furniture should be unloaded first. The organization also suggests plugging a synthetic feline pheromone diffuser into a floor-level socket several hours before your cat arrives.
2. Put your cat in: Take them out of the carrier into the room with their familiar things and shut the door. If you can, have a family member sit with them for a while.
3. Offer some food: In the first hours.
4. Allow exploring: Once the move is done, your cat can investigate the rest of the house. If there are signs of stress, go one room at a time.
5. Stay calm: The organization says your calm tells your cat it's a safe place.

Settling in: the first weeks

To support settling in, International Cat Care suggests:

• Keep your cat indoors: At least two to three weeks to get used to the new place.
• Small, frequent meals: The organization recommends this.
• Keep the old routine: Keeping the same feeding and play routines as the old house gives continuity and familiarity.
• Pheromone diffuser: The organization suggests continuing to use the diffuser in the first room, and a spray can also be used on bedding and blankets.
• Indoor-only cats: A new environment can be unsettling; it may take a little longer to adapt, but familiar furniture always helps.

If your cat is dealing with a lot at once, also see our cat-safe home guide: open windows, balconies and small gaps deserve a second look in a new home.

Outdoor cats: keep them in, then go out together

If your cat went outside at the old home, they'll want to at the new one. According to International Cat Care, don't rush:

1. A few weeks inside: Keep them in for at least a few weeks; for an adult cat the organization suggests "2 to 3 weeks."
2. ID check: Before letting your cat out, make sure they can be identified: the organization suggests a snap-open collar with a tag, ideally a microchip.
3. A quiet, dry day: Choose a day when you're home, and let your cat out before a routine mealtime, since a hungry cat is more likely to come back in.
4. Go together: Open the door and go into the garden together on the first day. Don't carry your cat outside; let them decide whether to explore.
5. Leave the door open: So they can dash back in if something frightens them. The organization suggests calling your cat in for a meal after 30 to 60 minutes and repeating the next day.
6. Go slowly with timid cats: Increase their time outside gradually over the first weeks.

The organization says that if your new home is nearby, your cat may find familiar routes back to the old one while exploring. You can warn the new owners that your cat may return and ask them not to feed or encourage your cat, which would be confusing. If you've moved locally, keep your cat indoors as long as possible. If your cat keeps going back to the old home, talk to your veterinary team. If you have a garden, see our cat-safe garden guide.

Microchip and contact details

According to International Cat Care, identification matters especially because cats can go missing around a move. The organization stresses keeping microchip details up to date: a microchip won't help bring your cat home if your details are wrong. If you move or change your phone number, update the database as soon as possible. It says to find your cat's microchip number and which database holds the record, and the update can usually be done online; databases may charge a fee for changes. If you don't know the number, the vet who implanted the chip can look it up, and a clinic scanner can read it.

For what a microchip is and how registration works in Türkiye, see our PetVet registration and microchip article; for updating your registration in Türkiye, ask your veterinarian or your provincial or district Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry directorate.

Frequently asked questions

Keep track of your pet's care in TüylümLog vet visits, vaccine and medication dates, and we'll remind you when it's time. Share it all with your family in Home.

Sources

• International Cat Care · Moving house with your cat
• International Cat Care · Letting your cat or kitten outside for the first time
• International Cat Care · Microchipping cats
• International Cat Care · Travelling with your cat

This article is for general information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment advice and does not replace a visit to a veterinarian. Talk to your vet about decisions on your pet's health. By Tüylüm · Published and last checked: November 9, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Write to [email protected] and we'll fix it right away. Photos are from Wikimedia Commons, used under the license shown below each photo.