How To Make a Cat Feel Comfortable in a New Home

Written by Dallas Cox in Moving
Moving with a cat to a new home

Whether you’re getting ready to move to a new house with your cat or you’re bringing home a new kitten for the first time, you may be wondering how to prepare the house for your cat’s arrival. 

You can make your cat comfortable in a new home by giving them space, giving them time, and establishing a routine. You can also create a safe space by keeping your cat and their essentials in one smaller room and spraying a feline pheromone spray like Feliway to help reduce anxiety.

In addition to bringing home three cats, I’ve also moved with my cats to five different apartments over the years. In this article, I’ll share my best tips and advice on how to make your cat feel comfortable in a new home.

Table of Contents:

Below, you’ll find more information on how to make a cat feel comfortable in a new home from the day you move in to the moment your cat starts adjusting.

How to Prepare Your Home For a New Cat

If you’re adopting a new cat and bringing them home, you’ll have some time to prepare the house for its newest member. Alternatively, if you and your cat are moving house (especially if you’re moving a long distance) you may not even be able to see the new place before you and your cat arrive.

In either scenario, there are a few things you can do to help prepare your home for a new cat. In addition to getting a cat carrier for the day of the move, there are a few other purchases you can make to help welcome your cat home. If your cat already has any of the items on this list, use their familiar favorites instead.

My youngest cat on her favorite blanket.

Here are 10 things to purchase and/or prepare before your cat arrives in their new home if possible (or as soon as you can once you move):

  • Set up cat beds and/or cat trees. Your cat may or may not use these in the first few days, and that’s okay. If your cat already has a favorite bed or cat tree, try to bring it to your new house if possible. They’ll appreciate the familiar smells. If you’re bringing home a new cat, check out the selection of cat beds as well as cat trees on Amazon. 
  • Prepare places to climb or hide. I recommend getting a cat tree early because it’s one (of many) places your cat may choose to climb or hide in the first few days. My youngest (and most skittish) cat prefers being high up so she can see everyone else. Additionally, be sure your cat has a place to hide over the first few days. This may even be as simple as keeping your cat in a bedroom with a raised bed for them to hide under.
  • Get a scratch post. When we brought our second cat home, he immediately took to the new scratch post we’d bought him. Every time we move, we make sure to set up his scratch post early on. I think he uses it to relieve stress, which can be great for your cat as they adjust to their new home. 
  • Introduce toys. In addition to scratch posts and cat trees, toys are a great thing to have waiting for your cat in your new home. If you’re bringing home a new cat, stick toys like these are great for initial bonding. If you’re moving house with your cat, pack up their familiar favorites to bring to the new house with you instead of purchasing new ones for the time being.
  • Prepare food and water bowls. If you don’t already have food and water bowls, now is the time to get some. You can opt for an automated feeder, raised bowls, or just a simple set of dishes designated for your cat. Regardless, just make sure they have easy access to their food and water in a quiet, calm space so that they aren’t afraid to eat or drink in their new home.
  • Prepare the litter box. Be sure to set up a litter box as soon as possible, and be extra mindful of location. You want your cat to have easy access to it, but you also want it to be in a practical space. Try to avoid putting it on carpet, and make sure it’s in an area that’s easy to sweep.
  • Spread blankets and pillows. If your cat already has favorite blankets or pillows, keep them nearby. They’ll appreciate the familiar smells and textures from their old home. 
  • Hide cords and small items. Whether you’re bringing home a kitten or moving with a senior cat, take the time to hide cords, strings, wires, or any other small items your cat may become curious about. If you’re moving with a cat, their anxiety can cause them to act out even if they don’t normally.
  • Check under the bed and in the cabinets. Along the same lines, be sure to explore your new home from a cat’s perspective. Make sure everything is safe for them including cabinets, doors, windows, hidden areas, etc. 

Finally, if you’re introducing a cat to a new house that already has pets living there, getting all of the animals to the vet as soon as possible is important. Give your cat a few days to adapt to their new surroundings before introducing the animals if possible. Have separate food and water bowls ready and consider having them in separate rooms to start. 

The First Day In Your New Home

On your first day with your cat in their new house, there are a few things you can do to help make them comfortable. 

My three cats exploring a new apartment.

Here are my top five tips for helping your cat feel comfortable in a new home on their first day:

  • Start in one room. You may want to start by letting your cat explore one room at a time. This is especially important if you’re moving into a home with other animals or a very large space. If you have to unpack, this is another way to keep your cat safe while doing so. Either way, your cat likely won’t be ready to explore the whole house for a while, so keeping them in one room for the first few days can help them establish a safe space.
  • Set up litter, food, and water ASAP. You’ll want to set up all of your cat’s essentials as soon as possible. Make sure they’re easy for your cat to access and are located in a relatively calm/quiet area that your cat will feel safe exploring when the time comes.
  • Spray pheromone spray. I can’t recommend Feliway enough. It’ll help keep your cat calm by reducing their anxiety as they explore a new space.
  • Create a safe space with familiar items. If you have some of your cat’s favorite toys, blankets, or even the cat carrier you brought them home in, try to make sure they have access to what’s most familiar to them.
  • Let them explore safely. The most important tip is to not rush your cat, especially on the first day or even in the first week. If they want to hide, let them hide (safely). When they’re ready to explore, you can encourage them slowly, but don’t force them or scare them. Let them return to their safe space as frequently and for as long as necessary.

For more tips, check out my guide on what to do with your cat on moving day.

How Long Does It Take a Cat To Adjust to a New House

If you’ve moved into a new place or recently brought a new cat into your home, you may be wondering how long it will take before they adjust to their new house. 

While every cat is different, your cat will likely start adjusting within the first few weeks. The most important thing is not to rush your cat. Let them explore the new house on their own terms and let them hide for as long as they need.

To help your cat adjust to their new home, here are five things you can do:

  • Give them time. Don’t rush your cat. They will eventually adjust to their new home, but pushing them out of their comfort zone could make it take even longer.
  • Give them space. If your cat is hiding, let them hide. When they start to come out slowly, encourage them gently. Extend a finger when they come near and let them approach you. Don’t drag them out of hiding or lock them out of a room they’re retreating to.
  • Create a safe space. Create a safe space instead for your cat with all of their essentials and comfort items. Let them retreat to it whenever they need. Make sure they have access to food, water, hiding places, a litter box, and comfortable blankets/pillows.
  • Establish a routine. Cats like routine. The sooner you can get back to normal, the sooner your cat will adjust to what “normal” looks like in the new house. Just let them join in on the routine when they feel ready.

How Do You Calm a Scared Cat in a New Home?

If you’ve just introduced a cat to a new home, it’s completely normal for them to be scared. Depending on whether you’ve moved to a new house together, you’ve brought home a new kitten, or you’ve rescued a cat from a questionable background, your cat may have different levels of anxiety. 

You can help calm a scared cat in a new home by creating a safe space for them with toys, blankets, and essentials like food and water, using a pheromone spray, and giving them space.

While some cats may be comforted by you petting them, others may feel anxious having you that close in an unfamiliar space. 

In addition to spraying Feliway in your frightened cat’s room of choice, you may also choose to play some calming sounds for them. You can find tons of videos on YouTube, like the one below. 

The most important thing that you can do for an anxious cat in a new home is to give them space. Don’t try to force them out of hiding or make them interact with you. They will calm themselves gradually as they realize they’re safe in their new home.

How Long Will a Cat Hide in a New Home?

Once you introduce your cat to a new home, their first instinct may be to hide. If your cat hides immediately in a new house, that’s completely normal. But how long will they hide?

Your cat may hide for the first few days in a new house. That doesn’t mean you won’t see them at all, but they might only come out to eat or use the bathroom when things are calm. That’s okay! They may even hide or continue to retreat back to a safe space for the first few weeks.

I said it earlier, but it’s worth repeating: give them time and space. They’ll come out and begin socializing when they’re ready. Until then, help them feel calm by giving them a safe space to retreat to and not forcing them out of hiding.

Signs Your Cat Is Adjusting to Their New Home

Once your cat begins to feel safe (which may take hours, days, weeks, or more) you’ll start to notice that they’re getting more comfortable with their surroundings.

Here are five signs that your cat is adjusting to their new home: 

  • No longer hiding, or hiding less often.
  • Approaching you and/or playing with you.
  • Eating, drinking, and using the bathroom more.
  • Rubbing up against furniture and depositing their scent.
  • Grooming.

You may also notice a change in how much your cat is meowing or hissing near other animals. Your cat will also likely start to play more in general, explore more of the house, and establish new comfortable spaces further away from their initial go-to hiding spot.

Final Thoughts

There are several ways that you can help make a cat feel comfortable in a new home. I recommend spraying a pheromone calming spray and creating a safe space for your cat in one room of the new place. In the safe space, include familiar toys (if you have them), blankets/pillows, food, water, and easy access to a litter box. 

If your cat is hiding in their new home, that’s okay! It’s completely normal for anxious cats to hide. What’s important is that you don’t force them out of hiding. They’ll come out on their own time when they feel comfortable. 

Keep a close eye on your cat, and over the course of several days/weeks, you should start to notice signs that your cat is getting used to the new place. As your cat begins adjusting to their new home, they’ll likely become more curious and playful. Still, always allow them to retreat back to a safe space as they adjust.

More on Introducing a Cat to a New Home:

Dallas Cox

Dallas is a proud cat parent of three (Kitten, Meera, and Jojen) and they love to travel. In addition to running Travel Tabby, Dallas also writes money saving tips on Clark.com.

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