Why Is My Cat Meowing a Lot After Moving?

Moving house is stressful for everyone, including our cats. As owners, we’re often so busy organizing the human upheaval that we forget the impact our tidying, cleaning, packing up, moving, and unboxing have on our pets.

It’s a very disruptive time, and cats like routine, so yeah, it’s completely normal for cats to meow more after moving house. 

Many cats are also sensitive to our behaviors, so when we’re stressed out and overwhelmed (as we often are when moving house), they can pick up on that, too. 

At a Glance If your cat is meowing after moving, it’s: ✅ Usually normal ✅ Often caused by stress and unfamiliar surroundings ✅ Usually improves within 1–2 weeks ✅ Helpful to maintain routines and create safe spaces ✅ Sometimes worth trying cat-calming products like cat-calming sprays and diffusers 🚩 Time to see a vet if they stop eating, seem ill, or the behaviour continues for several weeks.

🐈‍⬛ Why Is My Cat Meowing So Much After Moving?

Cats usually meow for attention. It can be because they’re bored or hungry, but there can also be other underlying issues like old age, hyperthyroidism, and pain. 

Some cats, like the Siamese breed, are naturally very chatty. Other cats will meow only rarely. Cats will also meow and yowl during certain mating periods.

For the sake of this article, and given you’ve only just moved house, we’re going to assume that any uptick in vocalisation is due to the stress and anxiety of being in a new environment.

As always, however, if the behavior persists or seems highly unusual to you, then make a veterinary appointment. 

🐈‍⬛ Cats Meow Because They’re Anxious

Cats are territorial and bonded to their old environment. They liked the smell of it because it smelt of you and them, and it was familiar. They knew the layout. They may also have worked out a territory-sharing agreement with other neighbourhood cats. New homes are unfamiliar and unsettling. Cats don’t immediately understand why they’re there, and why it doesn’t smell or look familiar to them. There could be any number of predators hiding and ready to attack. Perhaps there are other cats in the garden or evidence of other cats inside.

Of course, some cats adapt very quickly. Our cat was a stray who’d spent some time in foster care, so she was pretty laid back about arriving at her new house. It still took several days until she’d scoped the whole place out and felt confident no threats were inside, but she was never fearful or anxious.

Some owners find it helpful to create a small area just for the cat. This might be a corner of a bedroom or bathroom. It’s basically somewhere a cat can retreat to if they’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious. Ideally, it will have their favourite blanket, a few toys, and some snacks there. It just means they can hide away while they get used to the new place. 

🐈‍⬛ They’re Looking for Familiar Territory

Cats use scent marking to feel comfortable in their space. They do this by rubbing pheromones against surfaces and edges. Humans can’t smell these pheromones, but they’re key to ensuring a cat feels secure in its environment. They’re basically tagging people and objects. You’ll already have seen this behavior: cats have scent glands on their head and cheeks and will frequently deposit these markers by rubbing or bumping their faces against you and the environment. 

The new house doesn’t have these markers so a cat must start from scratch and essentially make the entire space smell safe to them. This can be stressful if the previous occupants had cats of their own as the house will smell of other cats or pets. 

You can help with this by wiping down skirting boards and cleaning floors so it’s not too overwhelming. 

You can also buy cat-calming sprays and diffusers which use synthetic pheromones to reduce stress and anxiety in cats. We’ll list these products in a table below.

The spray is helpful for carriers and toys, while the plug-in diffuser provides a more consistent coverage. Synthetic pheromones don’t work the same for every cat, but they’re often worth a try. There’s a lot of scientific research behind them, and humans can’t smell pheromones so a lot of owners use them temporarily while the cat is settling in. The sprays can also be helpful for veterinary or cattery visits. If you can, plug the diffusers in 24 to 48 hours before moving in to give them time to work. 

We use Amazon Affiliate links, which means we may earn a small fee if you buy a product using one of our links. 

Cat Calming Spray	Comfort Zone Spray on Amazon.com Feliway Optimum Cat Calming Diffuser on Amazon.co.uk
Plug-In Diffusers	Feliway Cat Calming Diffuser on Amazon.com Feliway Optimum Cat Calming Diffuser on Amazon.co.uk

Adding your cats toys to the house and any scratching posts and bedding etc will also help them adapt to the new smells by introducing old familiar ones to the new environment. 

🐈‍⬛ They’re Confused

You can’t give cats a heads-up about moving. Imagine how disoriented you’d be if someone just picked you up, put you in a carrier, and then dropped you at the new house. Once you’ve settled into a new routine, this confusion should stop. 

They’re Looking for Reassurance 

Again, it’s a stressful time. Make sure you’re giving your cats extra love and attention. Playing with them can help them burn off excess energy while exploring the new environment. 

Remember: If you’re moving with indoor cats, be extra vigilant when removal people or visitors are in the house, as they may not be as careful about closing doors and windows. With the chaos of moving, it can easily happen. 

🐈‍⬛ How Do You Settle a Cat After Moving?

Firstly, be patient and accept that there may be an adjustment period for your cats. It might take several hours, days, or weeks, but cats are resilient. You may just have to bear with them at the beginning. 

You can gently wipe a cloth over the cat’s cheeks to collect its scent, then dab it on door frames or other surfaces. This transfer will help them recognise the house as a safe environment that they have dominion over. This is fine for small areas, but you may find it better to use a cat-calming diffuser or spray. 

Try and pack the cat’s things last and unpack them first. If possible, have their things put in the new house ahead of their arrival. These could include toys, bedding, litter boxes, scratching posts, and trees, among others. Set them up in a quiet part of the new house, somewhere they can go when they need to retreat away from the chaos in the rest of the house. 

You might find that letting them travel with a sweater or scarf that smells like you or their favorite person will help. It will reassure them and should keep them calm. Let them sleep on it if you can for their first few nights. 

Cats like having places to hide or climb onto. When you’re configuring the layout, remember to provide high and low spots for them to use when they’re feeling nervous or unsure. You’ll want cat trees and scratchers. 

It doesn’t have to be anything too fancy; something like this basic cat tree tower with multiple platforms and places to scratch is fine.

Cats often really respond to personal attention and calm, soothing voices. Our cat reacts well to baby talk, which is hilarious. Give them lots of reassurance and cuddles so they feel loved and safe. It’s about getting the balance right between giving them the space to understand and accept their new environment while also being tactile in a way they enjoy.

If your cat is meowing later in the evening, it may be worth scheduling extended playtimes. Some toys are great for this and can get your cat into a predator state of mind (minus the blood and feathers). Tiring the cat out and afterwards giving it some fuss can help cats feel content and sleepy.

🐈‍⬛ How Long Does it Take for a Cat to Adjust to a New Home?

It varies. 

Most cats should have settled down within the first couple of weeks, and any additional vocalisation should have calmed down once they’ve adapted. Older cats might take a little longer, especially if there’s been a change in the family structure, too. For example, if there’s also been a separation from other adults or cats, as in a divorce. 

As a guideline, you may find that during the first 24-hours, your cat might hide more, eat only small amounts and meow more often. Between days 2 and 7, they’ll likely feel braver, explore further each day, and start scent marking and playing. 

After 2 weeks, you should see a routine returning and confidence improving. 

If you have an outdoor cat, remember to wait for around two weeks before letting it outside. This gives them time to orient themselves to the new house and reduces the risk of them trying to return to their old home.

🐈‍⬛ When Should You Worry? 

There are times when it’s probably best to talk to a veterinarian professional. It can be hard to guage what should trigger that decision and after how many days or weeks, but follow your gut instict. You know your cat’s behaviors, and if the meowing isn’t improving or doesn’t appear related to your house move, then seek advice. 

Make a veterinary appointment if your cat

Isn’t eating

Is vomiting

Is having difficult breathing

Isn’t using the litter tray

Is too tired to play 

Appears to be in pain 

🐈‍⬛ Products to Help Settle Your Cat into a New Home: Quick At-A-Glance Table 

If you use our Amazon Affiliate links, we may make a small commission (at no cost to you). 

Feliway Cat Calming Diffuser	Helps cats settle into their new home	➡️ Check the price on Amazon.com ➡️ Check the price on Amazon.co.uk
Cat Calming Spray	Use in their carrier or during periods of travel and temporary stress	➡️ Check the price on Amazon.com ➡️ Check the price on Amazon.co.uk
Covered Cat Bed	For a safe space to hide	➡️ Check the price on Amazon.com ➡️ Check the price on Amazon.co.uk
Cat Carrier	To get to the new house	Hard-sided carriers: ➡️ Check the price on Amazon.com ➡️ Check the price on Amazon.co.uk Soft-sided carriers: ➡️ Check the price on Amazon.com ➡️ Check the price on Amazon.co.uk
Cat Tree	Building confidence and territory	➡️ Check the price on Amazon.com ➡️ Check the price on Amazon.co.uk
Wand Toy	Burn nervous energy, especially before bedtime and feeding.	➡️ Check the price on Amazon.com ➡️ Check the price on Amazon.co.uk
Scratching posts	Scratching and scent marking	➡️ Check the price on Amazon.com ➡️ Check the price on Amazon.co.uk
Window Perch	Building confidence and territory	➡️ Check the price on Amazon.com ➡️ Check the price on Amazon.co.uk
Lick Mats	Licking is naturally calming for a lot of cats	➡️ Check the price on Amazon.com ➡️ Check the price on Amazon.co.uk
Puzzle Feeders	Helping to keep a cat occupied and focused on solving a food puzzle.	➡️ Check the price on Amazon.com ➡️ Check the price on Amazon.co.uk

🐈‍⬛ How to Prepare a Cat for a House Move

1. Get your cat used to the carrier before you need them to use it. Put it in a common area of the house with their favorite bedding and blankets, a toy, and some treats. Let them explore it in their own time. Spray it with cat calming spray if you need to
   
   
2. Schedule a vet appointment ahead of moving day if you’re worried about how your cat will cope or if you believe it might need something stronger than an over-the-counter cat calming product. Make sure your cat is up-to-date with vaccinations and treatments.
   
   If you’re moving far away, request any paperwork or information you may need on the journey or in case of an emergency.
   
   Update the microchip details, especially your address and any new phone numbers.
   
   
3. Maintain their usual routine as long as you can by sticking to normal feedings and playtimes. If you can avoid moving their litter box, food bowls, or beds, do so until you’re ready to go.
   
   
4. Pack their things as near to the end as you can. Unpack as soon as possible and set up a quiet area for them in the new house.
   
   
5. Create a Moving Day Plan which could include a safe, closed-off room with their essentials, including a litter box, food, water, and toys. Tell the people helping you move not to go inside. Add a sign to the door that tells people not to go in.
   
   
6. Prepare the new home in advance by choosing a quiet room to start them off in. Set up their things first with familiar toys and bedding to help reduce anxiety. Plug in a pheromone diffuser 24-hours before arrival.
   
   
7. Move Your Cat Last and keep them in a quiet room during loading and unloading. Transport them securely and minimize stops. Talk softly during the trip to reassure them.
   
   
8. Introduce them gradually to their new space by letting them explore one room at a time. Keep windows and doors closed. Avoid overwhelming nervous cats with visitors or other pets. Be patient as they adjust.
   
   
9. Monitor Behavior Post-Move by watching for signs of stress, such as hiding, over-meowing, or not eating. Stick to their routine. Keep outdoor cats inside for around 14 days to help ensure they won’t try to return to your own property. Contact a veterinarian if concerning behavior persists for more than a few days.
   

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Moving house is a huge change from your cat’s perspective. Increased meowing is usually their way of telling you they’re feeling uncertain rather than a sign that something is seriously wrong. Most cats settle once they’ve had time to build new routines, scent-mark their surroundings and regain confidence. Until then, patience, familiar routines and plenty of reassurance can make all the difference.