If you’re having building works done in your home, completing a full house renovation or just doing a few odd jobs, you might be concerned how this will affect your cat. While the dust, debris and endless upheaval can feel more than enough for us humans, our feline family members can become very stressed during building works – and thanks to your cat’s excellent ability to hide their pain and stress, you might not always notice. Take a look at our video below for top tips on how to help your cats cope during building works.

Why is my cat likely to be stressed during building works?

There are a number of reasons why having renovations on your home can be tricky for cats to deal with.

• Cats are highly territorial. You might notice they tend to have more than one favourite spot in the house, for example. Having works done on your home leaves your cat with less space to enjoy, which can leave them feeling anxious.
• Cats also thrive on routine – from their allocated time for breakfast to their favoured sleeping space. Anything out of the ordinary, such as welcoming builders into your home, can disrupt their core territory and routine.
• Noise is also a factor. Cats spend 16 hours of their day snoozing, so it’s no surprise that cats and construction noise aren’t really compatible. Sudden loud noises, such as those from power drills and saws, can easily scare cats. Even if they appear to recover quickly, the fearful response that cats (and humans) are hardwired to have, releases the hormone adrenaline, and this will stay in their bloodstream for some time. You might find them appearing increasingly fearful, or notice a change to their normal behaviour.

Of course, nervous cats will also find it difficult to have unknown people coming and going into their home. As well as the new and unfamiliar scents of building work, there is the unfamiliar scent of strangers – something shy cats may find particularly difficult.

What to do with cats during house renovations

If you’re worried about the effect that building works may have on your cat, it is vital to plan ahead before you even plan in the works. This will depend entirely on your cat’s personality, your individual situation and the scale of works you’re having on your home. If you’re having a complete renovation, for example, or a number of rooms changed around with plenty of noise and dust, it may be advisable to take your cat out of the home completely.

Consider placing them in a cattery or in a friend or family member’s home for the duration. Again, you’ll need to plan in advance as many catteries can get booked up.

Of course, if you have a particularly nervous cat and think it would be more stressful for them to be uprooted from their home, it may be advisable to keep them in the house and follow our tips on how to keep them calm.

Painting with cats in the house

While painting a hallway or bedroom might be seen as a much smaller job, some cats will still find the upheaval stressful and there are plenty of hazards to be aware of.

When you are painting, make sure to keep your cat away from the area. Cats are curious creatures and at best, you’ll end up with some interesting interior design – at worst, your cat may try to lick the paint or end up with it on their paws or fur. Cat-proof your environment as you work, making sure that any chemicals, paintbrushes and loose nails or screws are out of reach. Highly territorial, cats often like to sprawl out on painter’s drop cloths or attempt to climb ladders – it is often easier to have them in a ‘safe room’ away from the painting site altogether.

Are paint fumes harmful to cats?

Keeping your cat away from any chemicals involved in painting is advisable. The fumes from products such as varnish and paint remover as well as rust removers and glue can all be dangerous if inhaled by your cat. If you suspect your cat has been poisoned, contact your vet immediately.