Cats and Moving in NYC

There are lots of cats living in New York City. While official numbers aren’t available, city authorities estimate that there are at least half a million cats living in New York City homes, with another half million feral cats who live in every neighborhood. There are cats living in the train station, and there are cats in practically every bodega.

Cats are independent, resourceful, and notorious for hating change, which can make moving in NYC with a cat a challenge. Here are some tips to help your cat throughout the move:

Stay Calm & Maintain Awareness

Cats are very sensitive to their owners’ emotional state, and will alter their behavior based on the moods of the people around them. If you’re frazzled, stressed out and agitated, your cat is going to pick up on that. Some cats will try to comfort their people, but more often, a cat will hide from or flee extreme emotions -and if there’s a time you really don’t want to have to worry about being able to find your cat, it’s while you’re getting ready for a household move.

Contain Your Cats During Peak Activity Periods

During a move, there’s a lot of strange activity going on and doors are open – a combination many cats interpret as a clear signal to get out of town fast! You don’t want your cat running all over the neighborhood, especially during a wintertime move. As professional movers, we recommend that a cat be confined in a cat carrier or boarded with a pet sitter or vet during the actual move: they may not like these solutions, but it’s safer for them, and makes moving in NYC with cats much less stressful for you.

Keep Your Cats Together During Your NYC Move

Many households contain more than one cat. If you’re moving in NYC and this is the case for your family, make sure your cats stay together throughout the move, including any points where they’re confined or being transported. Even cats who don’t necessarily appear to like each other all that much will take comfort in each other’s presence during the move. Cats who are in carriers should be positioned so they can see each other whenever possible.

Have a Cat-Friendly Transport Plan

Cats can not travel in the moving truck, so you’ll need an alternative transport plan to bring them to your new address. For neighborhood and local moves, this can mean taking the cat on the train or the bus – make sure they are safely secured in a carrier, and plan on holding the carrier on your lap rather than stowing it in the baggage area. If you’re driving a longer distance, cats can ride in the car, secured in their carrier. If you need to fly with your cat, review these useful tips.

Adjust to a New Home Room by Room

Introduce your cat to their new home one room at a time. Choose a room that has a door that can be closed for the first room – maybe a favorite space like a bedroom – and make sure your cat has food, water, and access to a litter box. Once you’re officially settled in and the door is safely shut, let your cat explore on their own: it may take them a little while to warm up to the new place, but once the kitty finds the perfect patch of sunshine to lie in, you should be good to go!