Moving house with an outdoor cat

[BingoFucklinger]

Hi everyone, we're moving house on Monday and (assuming we can catch him ) will be taking our cat with us.

He's lived in this house all his 11 years. We'll do everything we can to help him settle into the new house and will immediately install a cat flap.

Problem is, he's never used a litter tray. I tried him with one a few months ago when he was badly injured but even in his painful state he was distressed and clawing at the cat flap when he needed the loo, until I caved and let him out. Does anyone have any ideas about how to stop him running off/getting lost? Do I have to be cruel to be kind and just keep him in for a while? Or let him out for a few minutes and lure him back with a treat? The new house is a total project so it's not the end of the world if he ruins the carpets! I just don't want to cause him further distress.

[BingoFucklinger]

Meant to say, he's microchipped and I've got him a collar with new address and phone number.

[dancemom]

Will he wear a harness?

[Didicat]

I thought you had to keep them in for a month when you move house? We are building a Catio for our two as they are indoor only cats, but want them to be safe whilst building/painting work goes on. My girl hates going to Cattery so that is not an option.

[caringcarer]

Yes, you should keep him in for at least 3-4 weeks. He will get used to being fed in new house and see you there and then get used to it. If new house is relatively close to old house cat might try to go back to check out who is in his house. Cats are very territorial but like to live where fed. Just leave litter tray by door. Have you tried sawdust/wood chippings instead of gravel as gravel hurts some cats paws?

[longtompot]

Have him shut in one room to start with a bed and food and a litter tray (not all in the same area) and he will start to use it. I don't know if saving some of his poo from the garden to pop in the litter tray so he knows what it's for would help?
Our cats are outdoor ones, but when we moved and had to keep them in for a month, they used the litter tray fine. They had used them when they were much younger though, the older one when he was a kitten and the younger when we rehomed her, so this might be why ours were ok.