How do I help my elderly cat adjust to a new home after a move?

Great question! Make sure to keep Tazi's bedding and familiar object with her, Don't wash them beforehand, that way the old scent is still on them and that will reassure her. Leave the carrier out now, in the open where she can see it and get in it if so inclined. Then it won't be such a shock when it come time to put her in it. Get calming pheromone based diffusers and put them throughout the current house and in the new on as well as soon as you can. In the new house, make sure she has plenty of places to hide, perch, get up off the floor and look out the window. Scatter her toys throughout the house so there are familiar things nearby. If she hides somewhere when you finally move, let her. Put food, water and litter where she can get to it and let her explore on her own. It may take some time, but your cat will get used to her new home. I hope this helps!

Moving can be a stressful time for both cats and people. Some cats begin to experience stress when the first box is packed. Try to keep this time as normal as possible for your cat by continuing a normal daily routine and avoid packing your cat’s bed, cat tree, and toys until the last minute. Calming pheromone products, such as the Comfort Zone® Calming Diffuser or Comfort Zone® Spray and Scratch Control Spray, may minimize some of this stress. When moving day arrives, be sure that your cat is safely secured in a cat carrier before the door opens and boxes start leaving. We recommend plugging in the Comfort Zone® Calming Diffuser into your old home during packing, as well as in your new home during unpacking and the settling period. If possible, try to move your cat as early in the day as possible and confine them to a bathroom in your new home with their normal bed, litter box, bowls, and toys. This will keep your cat from escaping during the move and may pose less stress if they see less of the action. If your cat is prone to high stress, resulting in self-trauma with overgrooming or inappropriate eliminations, it may be best to discuss short-term anti-anxiety medication with your veterinarian.

The best thing you can do is make sure that each cat has their own private space. You may keep each cat confined to their own room with food, water, and litter box for the first couple of weeks. Once they are used to the new home, you can let one cat out so that they can start to smell each other through the door. After a couple of weeks, you can do supervised time together. Pheromones may help with anxiety: https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=40373&cmpid=sc

You may be surprised at how well he will take the move. If he becomes car sick, you may want to discuss anti-nausea medications with your vet that will ease this stress. Supplements like Zylkene or Comfort Zone Feliway Diffuser Kit for Cat Calming can be used during travel and when he gets to his new house to help with the transition. I would recommend keeping his food, litter, and litterbox the same. Give him plenty of attention. If he has any specific behavioral concerns once you move, post a new question and we would be happy to help again!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would set all her belongings in to the room you are staying in. Give her a day to adjust to that room. Then open the door and allow her to come out of the room if she wants. If she is a shy cat she may never leave the room if you are only there for a few days. I would hope that after 1-2 days she will venture out. By keeping all her things in one room she will know that is her safe place to run back to if scared. Cats are hard and it depends on her overall personality.I would just be patient and don't force her to do more than she wants. I wish you the best of luck!

Hi Varsha! What a great question! Moving can be stressful for cats, and if Chuny and Muny are allowed outside, I would keep them indoors for a few weeks after you first move to your new home. This allows them to get used to their new house. Then you can let them out in the garden supervised during the day so they can smell around their new area, but don't allow them to leave the garden or leave them unsupervised. You can do this for a few weeks, and after that, you can let them out unsupervised because they will be familiar with the sights and smells of their new home. I hope this helps!

The move may be slightly stressful and unsettling for Emmy to begin with. With time and your support she will be able to adapt to her new surroundings. I would suggest some of the following tactics to help her as she adjusts. Feliway diffuser Increased interaction from you inclaying games like fetch or laser tag chase Bringing her articles with her such as her cat bed, or post If Emmy continues to display signs of stress, such as hiding behaviours or potty accidents, consult your veterinarian af discuss the possibility of the short term use of stress alleviating medications. Best of luck with the move and please feel free to ask any further questions you may have here on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! We are happy to help.