Moving home is highly stressful for companion animals who depend on territorial familiarity. Careful management before, during, and after the move significantly reduces welfare harm.
Moving home is routinely listed among the most stressful human life events, and for companion animals — who have no understanding of why their familiar territory is being disrupted — it can be even more destabilising. Cats, whose welfare depends heavily on territorial security, are particularly affected. Keeping routines consistent during the packing process, confining animals to a quiet room on moving day to avoid the chaos and escape risk, and providing familiar-smelling bedding in the new home all help bridge the transition. Cats in particular should be kept indoors for at least two to three weeks after moving to allow them to establish the new home as their territory before encountering the outdoor environment. Proactive management makes relocation far less stressful than reactive response to welfare problems after they develop.