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Moving house is stressful for everyone, including our pets. As owners, we’re often so busy organizing the human upheaval that we forget the impact our tidying, cleaning, packing down, boxing up and moving out has on our animals. It’s a highly disruptive time, and cats are susceptible to changes in their routine. They’re also often highly tuned to changes in our emotional states. If we’re stressed out or overwhelmed, they’ll feel it, too.
Moving house is something we’re all likely to experience at least once in our lives and often many more. So, it’s important to understand why your cat is meowing a lot after moving. You might not always be able to prevent it, but by understanding it, you can help make it easier for them.
Cats stress about things that we often don’t.
Cats live an entirely different existence from us. Speaking from experience, my cat lives a life of absolute leisure and luxury, the likes of which I could never hope to aspire to. It’s a cat’s prerogative to sleep in the sunshine, eat from large bowls, claw your sofa to pieces, and occasionally chase birds in the garden. They’re not concerned with the things homeowners must contend with when preparing for a big move. Cats don’t worry about remembering their new zip code. They don’t have to arrange to get the mail re-directed, nor worry whether or not they made the right call picking the fixer-upper over the turn-key property, and they’re certainly not going to help you carry your delicate family heirlooms out of the door and into the moving truck.
Cats do have other sources of stress, though.
Firstly, they’re territorial. It means they’re bonded to their environment. They liked the smell of the old house because it smelled like them (and you), and because it was familiar. They knew the layout. They would also likely have worked out some territory-sharing arrangements with the other neighbourhood cats. A new home is unfamiliar and unsettling to them. They don’t understand where they are or why they’re there. It doesn’t smell like them. They don’t know where things are or if other cats or predators are hiding and ready to pounce. You can’t reason with a cat, either. You can’t explain to them why they feel so unsettled, and you can’t reassure them in the same way you would with a reluctant adult or young child.
Of course, some cats adapt very quickly. We were fortunate because our rescue cat did. She’d arrived from a foster home and had shared an apartment with twenty other cats while waiting to be rehomed. Before that, she’d been a stray on the streets, so maybe to her it wasn’t such a big deal to be somewhere new. Your cat may be as chill as ours, or they could react very differently. It depends on the cat.
Meows tell us how great our cats are at getting what they want. Meowing is a learned behaviour. Cats rarely meow to each other beyond kittenhood. Instead, they use it to tell humans something. If you’ve ever felt personally manipulated by a cat, then don’t worry. You’re in good company—we’re all victims!
Meowing can be a sign that they want food, fuss, or playtime. It can be used to find out where you are in the house. It might also be to alert us that they’re anxious or confused. Some cats are naturally more vocal than others. Siamese cats, for example, are very chatty. You’re probably already aware of how talkative your is. The trick is to recognise whether an upswing in vocalisation has coincided with a disruptive event, such as a house move.
One of the common concerns after moving house is that people wonder why their cats are meowing so much. There are several reasons for this, which we’ll explore. As always, if you’re worried about your cat’s behaviour, speak to a veterinary professional.
Why Is My Cat Meowing So Much After Moving?
If you’ve just moved and your cat is meowing a lot, then, understandably, you’re going to connect it to the new house. This narrows it down and can make it easier to understand.
Your cat is telling you it feels negative about the new space. It’s not happy. There’s something about it that it doesn’t like. The good news is that this is often a short-lived condition. Many owners report that their cats stopped being so vocal after several days in the new property. This is because the new house doesn’t smell of them. This can be particularly problematic when people move into houses or apartments that lack any of the furniture from their old place. It can also be worse if the previous occupants had a cat or dog. The cat will pick up on this scent and associate the new space with the previous pets. Meowing represents their confusion, anxiety and insecurity. In your old house, you’ll have noticed your cat using its paws, cheeks and forehead to rub pheromones on furniture, skirting boards, doors, window ledges, etc. This would have created a safe and secure territory and helped them feel comfortable in their space. They’ll have to start over in the new house. This will take time, but you can help them speed up the process by bringing cat toys, blankets, bedding, etc, from the old house that smells like them. You could also wipe a soft cloth over their cheeks and then wipe this along the baseboards of your house or on chair and table legs. You can also buy Comfort Zone pheromone diffusers on Amazon which can help. There are calming sprays that you can use, too. We’ll explain more about what pheromones are below.
How Long Does it Take for a Cat to Adjust to a New Home?
It varies. Most cats will settle down within the first couple of weeks. Excessive vocalisation should be short-lived once your cat has adapted to its new environment. Cats are very resilient and can quickly settle into new homes and routines, but there will be an adjustment period. Some cats may need more reassurance. Older cats, cats with disabilities, or those who have had a difficult or traumatic upbringing may take longer to settle.
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, which could be very dangerous for them. 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.
As we mentioned earlier, you can gently wipe a cloth against the cat’s cheeks to collect its scent and then dab it against door frames or surfaces. This transfer will help them recognise the house as a safe environment that they have dominion over.
You should also prepare in advance for their arrival at the new house. Unpack their things first. 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. We’ve also found that keeping a scarf or sweater that smells like one of us helps, too.
You can also buy plug-in diffusers that mimic the pheromones in a cat’s scent glands. Humans can’t smell them, but cats can. There are different brands, and slight differences may exist between them. For example, you can buy one for a new house or one that helps calm any tensions in a multi-cat household. These pheromones may not be effective for all cats. Some people report no improvement, but they do work for many others, including people I know. They’re not super expensive, so it may be worth a shot if you’re feeling especially dismayed by the current situation. They can also help reduce general anxiety in cats. We’ll provide an affiliate link for examples of Feliway on Amazon below. If you purchase using the link, we may make a small commission, but it won’t cost you anything extra.
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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.
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.
Why Else Might a Cat Be Meowing?
Cats can meow for other reasons, too, which is why it’s important to understand what’s normal for your cat and what events may have triggered a behaviour change. Cats don’t just meow because they’re stressed about having moved house. It may be that they dislike being in the car or that they have motion sickness when they do. Unneutered cats in heat can be very vocal. Meowing can be a sign of cognitive decline, especially in older cats. It can also indicate that a cat is suffering from an illness or is in pain. If you’re worried about your cat or if this is out of character, then contact a veterinary professional who’ll be able to investigate further.
How to prepare a cat for a move
1. Schedule a vet ahead of moving day if you’re worried
- Ensure vaccinations are up to date.
- Request calming supplements if needed.
- Update the microchip details, especially the address.
2. Maintain Their Routine
- Stick to regular feeding and playtimes.
- Avoid significant changes to the litter box, food, or sleeping areas.
3. Get Your Cat Used to the Carrier
- Place the carrier in a common area with soft bedding and treats.
- Let them explore it without pressure.
- Use pheromone sprays or calming scents to create a relaxing environment inside.
4. Pack Gradually
- Avoid chaotic, last-minute packing.
- Keep your cat’s space quiet and familiar for as long as possible.
5. Create a Moving Day Plan
- Set aside a safe, closed-off room with their essentials, including a litter box, food, water, and toys.
- Inform movers/family not to enter this room.
- Use a door sign: “Cat Inside – Do Not Open.”
6. Prepare a “Cat Essentials Bag”
- Food and bowls
- Water and litter box
- Favorite blanket or toy
- Treats and calming products
- Carrier and vet records
7. Prep the New Home in Advance
- Choose a quiet room for them to start in.
- Set up their things first—a familiar scent helps reduce anxiety.
- Plug in a pheromone diffuser 24 hours before arrival if possible.
8. Move Your Cat Last
- Keep them in a quiet room during loading and unloading.
- Transport them securely and minimize stops.
- Talk softly during the trip to reassure them.
9. Gradual Introduction to New Space
- Let them explore one room at a time.
- Keep windows and doors closed.
- Avoid overwhelming them with visitors.
- Be patient with them while they adjust to their new situation
10. Monitor Behavior Post-Move
- Watch for signs of stress, such as hiding, over-meowing, or not eating.
- Stick to their routine.
- Contact a veterinarian if concerning behavior persists for more than a few days.