Moving home with 2 moggies - advice needed please

UKTigerlily

Hiya, as far as I know the butter on the paws is an old wifes tail & not something i'd ever do, I don't think it's pleasant for the cat. Of course they will clean it off. Generally cats mark their areas & find their ways back through scents. I've moved several times, even down to Devon from the Midlands & always put my cats out while moving my furniture in so they can explore. None have ever gone missing, it's like us when we move, we can find out way back, cat's have ways.

Some of course will go missing, or will be in a right tizz at moving, i'm lucky as all of mine travel out of carriers quite happily & just get stressed being in the carrier. They should use their litter tray fine. I'd say maybe keep them in 24hrs or so then follow them when they go out, assuming you have a garden. If you have some chicken or something they like & they go to close to the next gardens etc just yell em, they'll come! gl

If their chipped remember to get it updated too

Gingernutmeg

I was always told that a cat won't wash if they're not comfortable, or if they're not feeling safe. Presumably if your cat's settling down for a long washing session it means that they're happy in their environment, so they're more likely to return to it?

When we moved with our cats, we kept them in for a couple of days in one room, so that they got used to it and had somewhere 'safe'. Then we gave them a few more days where they were free to roam the whole house, and when they seemed fairly settled (washing, eating properly etc) we let them outside, making sure that we always left the door open for the first few days. It's always anxious when you let them out for the first time but mine were fine

Engadine

I moved 3 weeks ago with 2 cats (sisters) who are 11 years old. They were used to living in a flat and associated going down stairs with going out.

We moved to a house so for the first day neither of them would come downstairs then one did but it took 3 days for the other one to come down, she has been so nervous and wouldn't sleep in her bed, preferring to sleep under out bed all the time.

After a week one started to want out so I took her out into the garden and carried her round and showed her the garden. Then one day last week she followed me outside but stayed close to me and was happy as long as I was there.

The other one is now wanting to go out so she has been taken out into the garden and shown round. They have both used their litter tray with now problems.

For the next week or so they will only be out in the garden when they can be supervised. Before we moved they never wandered very far so don't think they will here but just being very careful with them.

gordonstights

Hi Margaret,

I've moved a few times with 2/3 cats and kept them in for 2 weeks with litter. When you let them out first time stay in the garden for a while whilst they investigate. I've noticed that cats tend to sniff around for a while then attempt to get over fencing etc to look further, but don't worry as long as they seem comfortable to start with. Have food ready like chicken or ham, when they venture over next doors fence, call them back every so often and give them a treat.

A lead never worked on my cats. They bounced around on it and it just stressed them, so I wouldn't recommend a lead at all. Just make sure they both have identity tags on.

Good luck!

Elle