When you get the news that your feline friend has landed at their final destination, you’ll be so excited to smother them with love and introduce them to their new home—you might feel let down if they don’t act normal right away.
Try getting into the sweet little brain of your cat (or cats) for a minute! They just took quite a journey and landed at a new house or apartment with a new layout and thousands of new smells, probably piled high with boxes. They have no idea where they are now or why.
We, humans, have a leg up when getting our bearings in a new location: verbal communication. While many of our favorite movies and shows feature talking cats with the IQs of true intellectuals, we have yet to meet a chatty Salem, Cheshire, Garfield, Thackery Binx, or any of their verbal cousins IRL.
You may notice strange behaviors when introducing a cat (or cats) to a new home. It's important to know what's normal, what's not, and how to help them settle in. They may have heightened cortisol for days from the journey, and they’re certainly smart enough to wonder, “What happened to my normal life?” New home acclimation is critical to help you and your cat regain a trusting partnership and healthy routine.
We get this question a lot! The answer depends on your kitty. Are they anxious? Did they experience trauma before finding you? Did they experience trauma on this journey to their new home? Had they ever traveled a long distance before this big move?
It can take a few days up to several months for cats to feel confident and secure in a new home. By following the tips in this article, you can significantly shorten the acclimation period, especially if your cat is anxious.
Introducing a cat to a new home can cause common signs of anxiety, such as hiding, eating less, going outside of their litter box, and destructive behavior. However, these signs should subside within days or weeks if you maintain a consistent routine and introduce new stimuli slowly.
Alternatively, these are more concerning signs that your cat may have contracted an illness while traveling:
Call your new vet immediately if you think your cat could be ill!
We also recommend scheduling a visit with your new vet within a week of arrival. If you hire PetRelocation, your dedicated coordinator will remind you about this. Getting on your new vet’s schedule immediately is a good idea to ensure your cat is healthy after their travels. They may also need vaccinations in their new home country or state.
Congratulations on the big move! We hope your kitty can settle in quickly and enjoy their new location with you.