Moving home is consistently ranked among the most stressful life events for companion animals, with cats in particular prone to significant behavioural and physical health impacts during and after relocation.
The emotional experience of relocation is profound for many companion animals. Cats may hide for days, refuse food, or develop idiopathic cystitis — a painful urinary condition strongly linked to stress. Dogs may show increased clinginess, destructive behaviour, or separation anxiety. Animals separated from their owners during professional moves face the additional stress of handling by strangers, confinement, and unpredictable environments. Senior animals and those with existing anxiety disorders are particularly vulnerable. The welfare impact of frequent moves — common in military families and rental market instability — is a significant but underappreciated issue in companion animal care.