The process of moving into a new home is a source of stress for anyone. That process is compounded and made more stressful when it involves moving cats into a new home. It is also obviously stressful for the cat(s) as well as the person or family that is moving.

Unlike dogs, which tend to be at home anywhere, cats are wary of new environments and are not as readily adaptable to change. Cat owners can easily notice how relatively minor changes in a cat's environment or routine can cause unease in the pet. Moving cats into a new home is a fairly extreme change and the cat owner is wise to prepare the cat(s) as well as possible for the change.

The type of move to be made is the first consideration. It is one thing moving cats into a new home across town and another to move a long distance. If you are moving cats into a new home involving long distance travel, it is essential that you make necessary preparations for the trip.

Long distance needs for moving cats into a new home require that you make the cats as comfortable and at ease as possible. It is advisable to constrain the cats in a carrier if you are able to do that. In any case, blankets, articles of clothing, toys, etc. that have their own scents on them are effective for calming cats in transit. Better still is to have the cats' scents and the owners' scents on the blankets or other implements you choose to calm your cats when moving cats into a new home.

The same principle applies to the actual stage of moving cats into a new home. Once your cats become familiar with the new abode, they will find it pleasing to explore your new place. It's really just the initial few days that make or break your (and their) experience of moving cats into a new home. The "newness" is the problem for the cats, as they are strongly inclined to be creatures of habit. Therefore, just as in the transportation stage, the settling-in stage can be made much more comforting in the cats can connect the new home with their previous surroundings.

When moving cats into a new home, it is advisable that you precede your cats and place objects that will comfort them. Just as in the transportation phase, cat owners should employ the means that has the greatest impact on the pets, which is their sense of smell.

Before moving cats into a new home, cat owners need to emplace clothing, blankets, and of course pet beds in the new home. The items you place should have the scents of the cats, the scents of the humans, or preferably both. One of the most effective scent carriers is actually the cats' litter box or boxes. Placing a sterilized new litter box is a mistake. It is far more effective to put a slightly used batch of their own litter in your new home.

By paying attention to familiar scents, you can ease the stress of moving cats into a new home for both you and your cats.