New environment for a cat: why a hiding spot and height matter more than floor space
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
Faced with an unfamiliar room, a cat never starts by exploring it in the open: it looks for a fixed point first. A study by Laura Rehnberg, Kylie Robert, Simon Watson and Rebecca Peters, published in 2015 in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, placed owned cats in an unfamiliar test room, with or without social interaction and enrichment, and filmed their use of space along with signs of stress (see the study). The pattern held across the board: cats avoided large open areas in favour of enclosed corners, elevated spots, and, when available, bedding carrying the scent of home. Available floor space mattered far less than the presence of those three elements.
Contents · 5 sections
What a cat looks for first in an unfamiliar place
In practice, a large empty living room reassures a cat less than a small corner enclosed on three sides. The logic fits an animal that remains both prey and occasional predator: an open space exposes it from every side, while a raised, concealed spot lets it watch without being seen. It's this combination — concealment plus a clear view from a high point — that the study links most strongly to lower stress behaviour, ahead of human presence or the toys on offer.
Applying this to a move or a stay elsewhere
Before arriving at the new place, set up one quiet room rather than the whole house: litter tray, bowls, water, and above all an enclosed hiding spot placed high up or against a wall, never in the middle of the room. Slip in a blanket or cushion already used at home, and don't wash it before the trip — it's exactly that familiar scent the study links to a faster settling-in time. Keep the room door shut on day one, then ajar, and never force exploration of the rest of the home: the cat should widen its territory at its own pace, not yours. Our article on moving house with your cat covers the full protocol, sanctuary room included.
Boarding catteries and staying with a relative
The same principle applies to a stay in a cattery or with a relative: ask whether you can bring the cat's own hiding spot and bedding rather than relying on what's provided on site. A cattery offering pens with a shelf or raised platform, not just a floor-level box, meets this documented need better than price or cleanliness alone would suggest.
Don't mistake withdrawal for distress
A cat that stays in its hiding spot for several hours after arrival, comes out at night to eat and drink, then returns, is following a normal settling-in pattern. A cat that refuses all food beyond 24 hours, or shows constantly rapid breathing and dilated pupils, has moved beyond ordinary adjustment stress and needs a vet's opinion. Find more setup benchmarks in our cat bedding and habitat section, along with our dedicated article on why cats need a hiding spot in every room.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wash the cat's blanket before a move?
No — quite the opposite: keep it as is to preserve the scent of the original home, which helps the cat get its bearings in the new place.
How long does a cat take to explore an entire house?
Highly variable, from a few days to several weeks depending on temperament. The key is never to force the pace and to keep the sanctuary room accessible for as long as the cat needs it.
Is a cardboard hiding box enough, or do I need dedicated gear?
A cardboard box closed on top works very well, provided it sits raised on a stable piece of furniture. What matters is the shape — enclosed, elevated — not the price of the product.
See it in the Planète Pets shop: Litter scoop with stand and bag roll in the handle (€20.90) · the whole shop
For your cat, at Le Félin (same family, zero commission): Arbre à chat en osier (from €174.99)
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Cats universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.