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Cats are really territorial, so they’re naturally anxious in a new home. We’re here to help you soothe your nervous kitty and help them have the easiest transition possible. We’ll tell you how to help your cat adapt to their new home, and how you can expect your cat to behave in those first few days. In general, your cat should adapt to their new home in as little as a few days, though it could take up to two weeks.

Things You Should Know

  • Cats need a secure room with food, water, a litter box, and a hidey-hole where they can get used to their new home.
  • Let the cat approach you when they're ready, and let them explore the house at their own pace.
  • Wait until your cat settles into your home before you introduce other pets.
1

Set out the cat carrier in advance.

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  1. Your cat will be happier, and you won’t have to work as hard to load them into their carrier. To get your cat acclimated to the carrier, place it where your cat can easily access it, and allow the cat to explore the carrier at their own pace.[1]
    • Buy a cat carrier if you don’t already have one. Choose one that’s big enough for your cat to turn around.
    • If you’re moving with your cat, set out the moving boxes several days before the move so your cat gets used to the moving supplies.
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2

Entice your cat into the carrier.

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  1. Add a cozy blanket to the carrier so it’s comfy and smells like home. Then, add a few of your cat’s favorite things, like a toy mouse or a ball. Hopefully, your cat will go into the carrier on their own.[2]
    • If you’re picking up your cat from a shelter, prepare your carrier before you arrive to adopt your cat.
    • If you’re getting a new cat from someone’s home, ask if they’ll let you take a toy or other item that has familiar scents on it.
    • You want your cat to have an enjoyable time in the carrier so the entire experience is more pleasant. Your cat is naturally going to be stressed while you’re introducing them to a new home, and a cozy carrier can help them relax.
3

Keep cat carrier closed until you arrive at the new home.

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  1. It’s hard to see your cat upset, and you may be tempted to pet or cuddle your kitty during the car ride home. However, your cat could dart out of the carrier and get lost or hurt. To keep your cat safe, wait until you’re at home to open the carrier.[3]
    • You might drape a blanket over the cat carrier to make your cat feel more secure. Dark, enclosed spaces are comforting for cats. Just leave the door uncovered so air can flow through.
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7

Create a hiding spot for your cat.

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12

Sit with the cat for short periods of time every day.

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  1. They may not want to interact with you at first because they're feeling overwhelmed. You don’t want to force your cat to interact, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try. Simply sit in the cat room and wait for your cat to approach you. If they do, let them sniff you and try to pet them.[12]
    • Your cat may not come to you the first few times you sit in the room, especially if you recently adopted or purchased them. Just be patient because your kitty will eventually come to you.
14

Introduce your cat to other pets once they're comfortable.

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  1. Take things slowly so that all of your animals are comfortable and safe. It’s totally normal for pets to dislike each other at first, but they can still bond later.
    • Introduce your new cat to your old cat by letting them sniff items with each other’s scent. Then, let them see each other through a glass door. Finally, let them into the same room with you there to monitor them. Let the cats approach each other on their own.[14]
    • Introduce your new cat to your dog in a safe room where the cat can easily escape. Wait for your cat to approach the dog, and supervise them the entire time. It’ll likely take at least a week for the animals to feel comfortable around each other, so be patient with them.[15]
15

Let the cat explore the house when they're ready.

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16

Keep an outdoor cat in their new home for at least 2 weeks.

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  1. It’s hard to keep your cat locked inside when they're unhappy, but it’ll give you peace of mind that your cat won’t run away once you let them out. Give your cat time to get used to their new home so they don’t accidentally go back to where they used to live.[17]
    • It’s also helpful to have a collar or microchip with your information so you can easily get your cat back if they forget how to find their new home.
    • If your cat is microchipped, make sure they're registered to your current address so you can find them easily if they do get lost.


Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you get a cat to drink water in a new home?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    A new cat will normally hide in a place it feels safe and will come out when he is hungry or thirsty. So it's best to leave a bowl of food and water near his hiding space. Don't crowd around it as it may get nervous. If he won't drink his water, try giving him milk and he should start drinking more.
  • Question
    Is it okay for a cat and a parrot to live together?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you're careful it can be okay. The cat will probably see the parrot as prey, so you need to supervise the cat when it's in the room where you keep the parrot's cage. Don't let the parrot out of its cage while the cat is in the room, and if the cat gets too near the cage, spray it with a water pistol or spray bottle. When you're not at home, make sure the door to the room where you keep the parrot is completely shut.
  • Question
    I just tamed a formerly-feral cat. We are about to move, but he just got into the old house. How can I train him to be calm on something so sudden and scary?
    Emily
    Emily
    Community Answer
    Moving can be scary for cats, so expect your cat to act differently for the first few weeks. Bring all his old stuff and try to set it up as similarly as it used to be. You should also provide your cat a small, quiet area to calm himself; a box should work.
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  • While your cat is in their secure room, cat proof the rest of your home so your cat can safely explore when they're ready. Secure window screens, block off your fireplace, stow away hazardous materials, and place breakables where your cat can’t tip them over.[18]
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About This Article

Brian Bourquin, DVM
Co-authored by:
Cat Behavior Trainer
This article was co-authored by Brian Bourquin, DVM and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA. Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. This article has been viewed 97,663 times.
12 votes - 70%
Co-authors: 19
Updated: July 22, 2024
Views: 97,663
Article SummaryX

To introduce a cat to a new home, start by keeping it sectioned off in a small room for 1-2 days so it's not overwhelmed. Then, after a day or 2, let your cat out to explore its new home. Try to put out items that are familiar to your cat, like toys, blankets, or furniture, to make it more comfortable. Also, use the same feeding schedule as you used in your old home, which will make the transition easier for your cat. If you can, hold off on inviting people over to your new home for the first few days so your cat has time to adjust. To learn how to travel long distance with a cat, keep reading!

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 97,663 times.

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