Buy a cat carrier if you don’t already have one. Choose one that’s big enough for your cat to turn around. If you’re moving with your cat, set out the moving boxes several days before the move so your cat gets used to the moving supplies.
If you’re picking up your cat from a shelter, prepare your carrier before you arrive to adopt your cat. If you’re getting a new cat from someone’s home, ask if they’ll let you take a toy or other item that has familiar scents on it. You want your cat to have an enjoyable time in the carrier so the entire experience is more pleasant. Your cat is naturally going to be stressed while you’re introducing them to a new home, and a cozy carrier can help them relax.
You might drape a blanket over the cat carrier to make your cat feel more secure. Dark, enclosed spaces are comforting for cats. Just leave the door uncovered so air can flow through.
In the future, your cat will probably seek out this room when they want to relax because they’ll feel safe there. If it’s possible, pick a room your cat can easily access in the future.
Your cat probably won’t eat or use their toys for a while because moving to a new home is stressful. However, you want their supplies to be ready.
Cat pheromones also come as a spray.
Igloo beds do double duty as a bed and a hideaway. Cat trees may have built in hideaways. Hideaway boxes are small and easy to incorporate into your decor.
It’s totally normal for your cat to hide for a while when they arrive at a new home. They’ll come out when they’re ready.
Keep the cat carrier in your cat’s safe room for a day or 2 after your cat gets to their new home. Your cat may retreat there when they feel overwhelmed.
Eating and drinking normally. Using the litter box. Playing. Letting you pet them. Showing interest in leaving the room.
If you’re getting a new cat, talk to the prior owner or the shelter staff to get an idea of their normal routine. Try to stick to that if you can.
Your cat may not come to you the first few times you sit in the room, especially if you recently adopted or purchased them. Just be patient because your kitty will eventually come to you.
At first, monitor your children while they’re spending time with your new cat until you’re sure they understand how to handle the cat safely.
Introduce your new cat to your old cat by letting them sniff items with each other’s scent. Then, let them see each other through a glass door. Finally, let them into the same room with you there to monitor them. Let the cats approach each other on their own. [14] X Research source Introduce your new cat to your dog in a safe room where the cat can easily escape. Wait for your cat to approach the dog, and supervise them the entire time. It’ll likely take at least a week for the animals to feel comfortable around each other, so be patient with them. [15] X Research source
You can make your cat more comfortable by rubbing a towel on their cheeks, and then rubbing the towel on spots around your home. That way, your cat will smell their own scent. [16] X Research source
It’s also helpful to have a collar or microchip with your information so you can easily get your cat back if they forget how to find their new home. If your cat is microchipped, make sure they’re registered to your current address so you can find them easily if they do get lost.
