January 9th, 2020 | Updated on June 27th, 2022
Having a cat is a huge responsibility. It’s even more stressful if you have to move to a new home. Cats don’t like changes. They instead prefer staying in one place they have already settled in.
But if you have no other choice but to change a flat or house, then you must do everything in your power to help your pet adjust to the new location.
It’ll save your nerves and protect yourself against unnecessary meowing, crying, hiding, escape attempts and aggression.
Moving with the kitten to the new house should be done in a few stages. You have to prepare it in advance. Otherwise, they’ll be only shocked, and nothing good will follow on that.
So, to be informed and prepared enough, feel free to read this article in which you’ll find some tips on how to make your kitten at home.
1. Provide The Cat With A Safe Ride Home
The first aspect you must consider is the question of moving your cat from one place to another. If your new home is not so far away, it’s not a problem.
But if you move to another city or even country, then you may encounter some difficulties. The best idea is to put your cat in the carrier to provide them with a safe ride home.
Under no circumstances can you let loose your pet in the car or leave them alone while you temporarily stop to go to the supermarket or a friend. It would also be perfect if your children could keep the carrier with the cat on their knees, but not play or annoy them.
2. Introduce The Kitten To The New Surroundings Gradually
When you get to the new home, then it’s high time for you to introduce your kitten to the new surroundings. At the very beginning, it can be skittish, but that’s normal.
It reacts in this way since it doesn’t know the space very well. The ideal option to make it feel safe would be the limitation of the area only to one or two rooms so that the cat won’t be so scared. Adjusting is a gradual process that takes time.
3. Surround It With Familiar Objects
Later on, you should surround your kitten firstly with familiar objects known from the previous home, and then gradually give it new things.
They could be a litter box, toys, treats or even best cat water fountains, which will help you keep the water fresh and healthy for your favourite.
In this way, it will get used to new things, smells and sounds, and also have a kind of prize for its good behaviour. You’ll show your kitten that despite changing the home, you still remember about it and it’s always very important to you.
4. Check Whether The Space Is Cat-Friendly
After some time, approximately after one week, you can show your cat other rooms and the new environment in which it will be living from now on. But before that, you should check whether the space is safe and cat-friendly.
What does it mean? Make sure that there aren’t any crawl spaces or holes where the kitten could go and hide. It’ll be problematic to get it out of such places.
What’s more, check your garden in terms of any poisonous and harmful plants and dangerous objects. The first visit outside should be with you as a companion.
Allow your kitten to explore the terrain a little bit, but after several minutes take it back inside. Each day, you can prolong its walks so that it could get to know the area and start feeling safe.
If you are still worried about the cat, you can always put it a collar on which you’ll write your new address and phone number in the case of escape.
5. Introduce The Cat To Other Animals
The final step is to introduce the cat to other animals. If you don’t have any other new pets, that’s good for you and the kitten.
However, even if you have a resident dog, cat, or a rabbit, don’t panic! It’s enough if you keep these animals confined until the kitten feels secure in the new home. Then, supervise them while playing together.
Remember though that the cat may treat other animals, such as birds, rodents or fish as easy prey. Thus, always keep an eye on them and don’t leave them alone until they build a real friendship.
As you can see, adjusting your cat to the new home may be high-pressure for both of you. But keeping in mind these tips, you’ll make your kitten feel welcome.
