A cat owner has documented her beloved pet’s heartbreaking response upon discovering they had moved home. Justine Ramos posted on TikTok after filming her feline friend, Sauvi, cautiously investigating their new residence. “My heart,” said Justine, who hails from Arizona, “we just moved and she won’t stop wandering the house and crying, she’s been doing this for the last 24 hours.”
The brief clip showed Sauvi examining her new home’s garage, which remained filled with unopened boxes, and letting out a few tentative meows whilst surveying her unfamiliar surroundings. The clip quickly gained widespread attention, leading numerous cat owners to offer guidance to Justine.
“Put her in one room with things she can smell/remember like the cat tree, blankets etc,” suggested one TikTok user. Justine responded: “Thank you! Yesterday we did that and she wasn’t crying as much – just hiding. And then today she’s been more brave and exploring but now is crying and seems distraught. This house is much larger than our old apartment.”
Another person observed: “Cats are territorial, and her whole world view has to readjust. Just be patient and affectionate. She will be okay. Let her adjust. She is also talking to you and telling you what she thinks of the new place. I think some of it is conversational.”
A third offered reassurance: “She is curious and excited and a little scared and listening to her and saying you understand and saying what you think of the place and that it is a new place will help. My cat does this outside or when he is excited as well as when scared or annoyed.”
A fourth TikTok user sympathised: “Kitty doesn’t understand why you moved her here. It’s a lot to take in. Hold her and try to calm her down. Poor baby.”
Thankfully, Justine later informed Newsweek that Sauvi’s situation had improved considerably. “The first day we set her up in a bedroom, and she hid. Then the next day she wanted to explore, and that’s when I took this video,” she explained to the publication.
Justine added: “She kept wandering around the garage and house and crying (I think we had a lot of her items still boxed up, so maybe the smell was triggering for her). But she did cry like that for about four days, and now she is settled and very VERY happy!”
For those relocating with feline companions, the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) provides essential guidance. The charity advises online: “Once the move is complete and you’re settling into your new home, it’s time to try and help your cat settle in too.
“The best way to do this is to use a cloth and rub it over your cat so it picks up their scent. You then want to rub the cloth on some items around the home. We also suggest you avoid washing their blankets and toys for the time being and keep them near your cat until they have familiarised themselves with their new environment.
“To ease stress, it’s crucial to try to stick to your cat’s normal routine. So, this includes feeding them at the same time and spending any usual one-on-one time with them. Keeping calm will help, as they can pick up on your emotions, so if you’re stressed, they will most likely feel stressed too.”
PAWT’s advice continues: “We suggest that once your cat has become familiarised with their ‘cat safe room’, you leave the door open and let them start to explore at their own pace. This may take days, weeks, or even months, depending on the cat’s temperament and how nervous they are.
“Leave the litter tray in the room to begin with, and then start gradually moving it to where you want it in the house. Ensure all windows and doors are kept closed for the first six to eight weeks, and the cat is kept inside the home.
“We recommend you only start letting your cat outside once this time has passed, and your cat can explore the house confidently. Then start to let your cat out for short periods of time, when you are at home, so they can be called back indoors. Keep their favourite treats on hand!”