Moving house with a cat. What's worked for you?

[Fizzgig]

I've read lots of articles about what's best to do with a cat when moving house, but I wanted to know how people had gotten on from personal experiences and whether they felt better putting the puss in a cattery during the day (we're only moving 5 mins over the bridge!). I will be keeping her in for about 6 wks after moving, just to make sure she feels really secure, as she is quite a house cat anyway, but I want to cause her the least amount of stress possible. Any advice would be gratefully received. Many thanks.

[Celtigra3]

I've got six cats. Last time I moved, it was only four! However, I've found that if I take them first and lock them in the bathroom with food, water and a litter tray until the move is over it works (bathroom of the new place). Then let them out. Once they have the feel of the new house/flat gradually let them out one at a time into the garden for a sniff. For the first few days they tend not to go far - although one of mine took the huff and ended up at my previous home twice (crossing three busy roads). However, if you are moving towns, just take them in the car in a cat basket and then at the other end, put them in the bathroom with their stuff. Cats are pretty resilient and as long as they know you are around they will be OK. To put all mine in the cattery would cost me a fortune, but if you feel better doing it, go ahead. I preferred to have mine on the spot so I could keep an eye on them. Good luck. I will be moving later this year (again), so my lot will have to get used to a new territory (mine do go out as they like to hunt and bring me prezzies back)!

[alfiebrady]

I got a cat recently from a rescue, and they gave me a useful tip - as mentioned above, keep them in one room to start with, but when they do go into that new room, spend time with them to give them some reassurance. They'll dive for the nearest cover, but if you go after them, not to dig them out, but to offer a few headstrokes, etc., they'll come out of hiding and the process will be a lot quicker.

[margaret124]

I also have 6 cats, I moved all my belongings into the new house - left the cats until the very last minute in the flat with nothing in it before I closed up the flat - put them in the car and then put them into the new house - making sure their cat litter tray was right in the hall so they could see it then gradually move it to where it it was going to stay - I just let them explore the new house at their lesuire - and had no problems - I think because I had 6 they knew they were not alone.

[Whickerman]

Got this tip from an old lady i knew, and she swore by it. Apparently, as well as letting them into one room per day to get used to the house, when you let them out for the first time, smear some butter on the whiskers. They'll spend an age trying to lick it off, by which time they'll have gotten used to the surroundings and felt more at ease.

Good luck!

[ruthann58]

yes whickerman my mum always told me this but to put it on their feet so they get the smell of the new floors we have always done this and so far have never lost any having had over 20 cats in the past 30 years my husbands uncle died and we adopted his cat a townie he came to live with us in the country and hid behinde the sofa for the first 3 days once he got used to it he loved the new life and turned into the best mouser ratter we have ever had even dropping a dead rat at my husbands feet in the lounge then went and sat on the hearth to have a wash sadly he died a couple of years ago

[Fizzgig]

Thank you everyone for your wise words!!! I think it's going to be a bit trial and error but we'll give it a go. We've put the box out with her favourite blanket in it and she's been sniffing in and around it and I shall try and remember to put her in back feet first! She's here with me now watching me rather suspiciously so I'd better not say too much incase she finds out what's happening! Many thanks again everyone!

[WendyS]

I think it's a good idea to keep them in one room while the chaos of moving is happening. The bathroom is ideal, with a litter tray and a chair with her bed on it (preferably with a woolly jumper with your smell on it) as cats prefer to be higher up, rather than on the floor, which makes them feel safer. And don't forget a big notice to stick on your bathroom door while the removal men are coming and going which says "CAT IN HERE. DO NOT OPEN THIS DOOR", (otherwise she may be off and out before you realise what has happened). The moment the removal men have departed, spend some time with your her, however stressed you are and for the next couple of days be careful about opening any external doors. Give her time to explore the house thoroughly, walking with her to give her reassurance and I'm sure she'll quickly find her footings.