Moving cats

[Themarriedwoman]

We are moving very soon and I am worried about my boy. The last time we moved it was 3000 miles away, but he was pretty young and hadn't really been outside much. Now he loves the great outdoors and I am worried that when we move he will get lost. ( he isn't the most intelligent cat I've ever known!) What is the best way to ensure that he knows the right house to come home to? Obviously I will keep him in for a while. We also have his sister, ( who never goes out) so I hope the familiar smell will keep him coming home. But is there any other tricks I could use? We aren't moving very far and I worry he may try and make his way back to the old house, but that is across busy roads etc. Any advice?

When you actually move, put him in his carrier in the car with you (not in the removal van).

Keep him inside for at least three weeks.

Only let him out when his hungry, so he wants to come back for food!

I was going to ask a very similar question - hopefully there will be some more responses. It's not practical for me to keep my two in for 3 weeks when they move house, and there will be a lot of building work taking place too, so I'm very nervous about moving them. I will try and persuade them to stay in, and do some mojo with butter on their paws, but I am hopeful that they will settle quickly.

themarriedwoman I think my youngest cat must be related because he also lacks intelligence - most cats I've known have had superior intelligence, it is so funny when you find one that's lacking brain cells

I always keep mine in for 2 weeks and then let them out an hour before a meal.
I all honesty if I couldn't keep them in for this amount of time due to building work I would put them in a cattery to keep them safe.
I have in the past used a bedroom or bathroom, they don't need the whole run of the house.

We've just moved and we're having building work done at the mo. We're just confining cats to whatever bit of the house is not being worked on with the aid of closed doors and/or pet gates (baby gates would suffice but we have a pet gate that fits accross quite wide spaces).

I really would keep them in.

Seniorboy is a housecat but really dislikes people he doesn't know - so if I have workmen in, he goes in his bedroom with a tray, water and food (and the electric blanket on if it's cold.) Door shut, left alone and the workmen warned not to go in there.

He's used to it and he knows it will stop when they do. I'd keep them in.

I am also looking for advice on moving my cat.
I'm currently living at bf parents house, cat spends quite a lot of time outdoors, comes in for meals and some naps but mainly outdoors.
We are moving this week however it's only five miles away. We go on holiday in 4 weeks for 10 days.
Initially i was thinking take cat with me and keep him indoors then when we go on holiday my granny would come in to feed him twice a day but by this time he would be allowed out.

My bf mum just said last night she thinks i should leave cat where he is until we get back from holiday to save mixing him up and being in the new house alone for 10 days.

But this is a long time for me without my cat, i dont want him to stay here for another 6 weeks and I'll miss him!
So i am not really wanting to leave him but is it best for the cat?

Cat hasn't met my granny before so would it just be cruel to move his home then the people he knows goes away and leaves him in a strange house with a stranger feeding him?
What is best?

Couldn't you take him back to your BF parents' house for that 10 days? It's only 5 miles so not a long journey and he knows the house, people and environment well from what you say.

Well thats also what bf mum said and then she said "he knows the area and loves it here". So she was thinking after i move him and get him settled I'd bring him back and she'd be letting him out again! I said no he wouldnt be able to go out again as he would be really mixed up then, wouldn't he?!

Also, they don't deal with the cat much apart from giving it lots of treats and hiding treats all over the house so i cant find them so i cant ration them. If i leave them with her I think when i get back from holiday he will have gained a few pounds!
I don't know how much cuddles and stuff theyd really give him and if they will remember to feed him as they do like a drink :/ Sometimes they go to bed after locking front door and he's locked out so i have to go and get him in. I just don't want him to be forgotton about here.

I have just moved my 2 cats, just short of 2 weeks ago (moved on the Monday).

Today is Starting to Let Them Out day. They've both got their noses out of doors a bit in the last week though no escapes, so I'm going to let them out under supervision until they dash off to explore and I desperately home they come back are comfortable with the immediate vicinity.

Have moved with one of them a few times before but this is the first move with the second - though he did learn to come back to the old house after I got him from the cat rescue.

Any decent catteries near by?

Yes but when i mentioned a cattery they were like "no, noooo dont put him to cattery". and it does seem silly to pay when i do have 2 options. Do you think he will be ok being moved and kept in from now for three weeks, then he willhave a week of going outside and hopefully we can fit a cat flap and then granny just pops in to feed him twice a day. Is ten days too long with that happening considering he could be outside whenever granny comes thus having no human contact for 10 days?

I'd be edgy. How assiduous might granny be? I'm wondering if your BF's parents might 'persuade her' in your absence - and then have a night on the gin and forget about him.

Cats, in my experience, are extremely adaptable but that seems like quite a lot in a short period. Just a very personal view though and depends on the cat.

Hmm maybe I should just put him to cattery then. Granny also hasn't dealt with animals really so if cat became ill or attacked her or something it might not be best idea. Urgh poor cat.

At least in a cattery, you know where he is and (if they're decent) have some confidence in him being fed properly, kept safe etc. If you get a posh one, you might even get a kittycam!

It's extra dosh you probably don't need to spend but then.....

Is he up to date (and documented) with all his shots? A cattery will require that.

Yes he is all up to date. There is a good cattery in the next town so think ill just do that and then don't need to rely on anyone doing or not doing what they're supposed to! Don't think it has kitty cam though!

Thanks for all the advice,
DrHolmes, my old cat used to go between my house and my mother's house easily, so maybe it would be ok? I would possibly be tempted to leave him there before your holiday as well though. That way he can have your undivided attention when you get back because you will have done all your unpacking/settling in etc. I know it would be hard not to see him, but it isn't far and you could visit. I think that may be the least disruptive to your cat.
Worldgonecrazy, I can't quite believe just how stupid my boy is, I have his sister and she is an intelligent, agile, independent cat. He is the complete opposite which is probably why I worry about him so much!

Hello, Well I called the two catteries i like and both are full! Argh so now i guess the best thing is just to leave him here for 6 weeks and just pop by and visit him. I will just drum it in to bf mum that she has to feed him and check on him if he's out.
We left our window open and this morning heard what sounded like a murder being carried out. But we knew it wasn't, it's the cat over the road fighting with my cat. But my cat just lays down whilst the bully cat stands over him screaming that awful scream they do. My bf had to go out, walk over to the cats so that our cat would be able to get inside and chase bully cat away! Awww I am going to worry about him. Now he's curled in a ball beside me :)

married why were you awake at 4.40am?!!!