Introduce Your Cat to a New Home After Relocation

When you get the news that your furry friend has successfully landed at the final destination or Dubai airport to join you in your new home in Dubai, you will feel extremely excited to introduce them to their new place.

However, you may feel let down when they don’t act normal and don’t feel comfortable. Try to understand the changes from their perspective. They have just landed and after the stressful time on the plane are placed in a completely new environment/house with a new layout and countless new smells.

How long does it take for a cat or kitten to be comfortable in a new home?

This is a really common cat relocation question among pet owners. However, the answer differs for every cat, partially due to breed, age, previous experience and individual nature. We have compiled some tips in this blog in order for you to be best prepared to help your cat settle and be relaxed and happy in their new environment.

General tips

• Keep your cat(s) indoors for approximately 3 weeks in order for them to get to know and accept the new place
• Let them wander outdoors (if previously done so or if the new house has an outdoor roaming area) under supervision
• Make sure they are safe outdoors from cars, poison, and other

Acclimation tips for cats

1. Adhere to their previous daily routine – The routine of your cat comprises everything that they do in a day. Make sure to feed and play with your cat at similar times they are used to (adjusted for the new country time). It makes them feel safe as well as comfortable.
2. Accommodate to have the same food – inquire prior to travelling that you can buy the same brand and type of food to ensure no extra stress is created by a sudden change of food (both physical and mental stress in this case) If needed plant to bring sufficient food in your luggage to last for 2-3 weeks, in which you will be able to find, the order in old brand or slowly change by mixing in new food
3. Litterbox – bring some old favorite litter or check the market to have your brand or similar. Ensure the old litter box arrives timely or find a similar box and maybe provide 2-3 boxes in several places in the house with different litter, this way your cat can choose and not get constipated or obstructed to pass urine. Stress is a dangerous contributor to poor toilet behavior and complications for most cats. If your cat used to be outdoor only, train him in the old house to use an indoor litter tray to make the transition easier
4. Keep their old belongings – when moving to a new place, you may feel tempted to buy a new bed, toys, and accessories. Nevertheless, you should keep your cat’s familiar things around. You can replace these items one by one after some time.
5. Give them some space and time – Where did your cat love to retreat in your previous home? Try to create a similar setup for them at your new home. Even the most social cats want some alone time, and they may want more of this time while adjusting to the new home. During this time, a familiar rug, bed, or other things that smell like their previous home can really help.
6. Check airconditioning sound and the direction of air – to ensure your cat can find a nice, draft-free space in a not to a noisy part of the house

Last but not the least, we recommend scheduling a visit with your new vet within a week of arriving at your new home. This helps ensure that your cat is healthy after completing the long journey. Take the immediate opportunity to know how to register your cat and his/her microchip in the new veterinary clinic and the local authorities, especially since if your cat cannot find his/her way to his /her new home, a registered microchip can make all the difference. The vet can also help you to know about the local vaccination requirements, anti-parasite treatment or other important things to be aware of. For any  queries related to cat relocation, feel free to contact our pet experts right away at travel@abvc.ae.