Morning MN!
DH and I have moved this week to a 3 bed house from a small-ish 2 bed 1st floor flat. We have two cats, F6 and M2. Both have never been outside. The week or two leading up to the move was pretty stressful for them - they fell out badly one day (presumably due to the disruption of packing etc - they made up the next day) so we bought a feliway and for the last few days of move and first full day in new house we took them to a cattery to minimise stress.
When we picked them up they were NOT happy. F was visibly shaking and little man was not budging from his bed. We have since kept them in an upstairs bedroom (also where DH and I are sleeping with their food, toys, blankets etc. And Feliway.
F has only just come round to us (hid under bed for first day) M cries almost constantly at the door. Downstairs is a tip as we have started stripping wallpaper. My plan was to start letting them have the run of the house on Saturday. Is this too long to leave it? Or not long enough? I'm terrified they will get out.
We want them to become outdoor cats but plan is to leave it a few weeks / month before we even think of that, especially as they have never been outside!! New house doesn't have anywhere to put a cat flap (French doors across the back and front door onto busy-ish through-road). We could put one into garage side door which gives them somewhere warm / under cover.
Basically I need a plan! We love our cats so much and desperately trying to do the right thing but worried I am getting it wrong 😞