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Will my cats be depressed after moving to a new home with other cats?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Turkish Angora | Female | unspayed

Hey dr, I've decided to give away blueberry and her 5 months old kitten to a cat person who takes care of other cats in his household, and I'm actually concerned that the cats would be depressed. How will the change be for them? And would meeting other cats in another home be good for them or the opposite? I appreciate the help.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Anna M., DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 2nd, 2017

Hello, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Cats tend to be quite adaptable and able to adjust to a new environment well, so I think Blueberry and her kitten will probably do just fine! Of course, every cat is different - some cats love the extra stimulation and socialization that comes with having other cats in the household, while other cats prefer to live on their own and are stressed by having other animals around. You know Blueberry best and might be the best judge as far as how she'll do. If you're worried about how she'll respond, you could always consider this a "trial run", and let your friend know that if your cats don't seem to be adjusting well, you could take them back to find better arrangements. You should anticipate that the first week or two will be an adjustment period and your cats might do a bit more hiding than usual, and initial encounters with the other household cats will probably include some hissing as they figure each other out - but within a few weeks Blueberry and her kitten should be looking more relaxed and comfortable in their new surroundings. Good luck - hope this helps!

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