help - moving with cats

[newmama500]

We're moving house in January next year and we have four outdoor cats. The thing is the house we're moving to is just around the corner. If I ran I'd be there in 30 seconds or less, so our old house and the one we're in now is very very close.

We're planning on keeping them in for a week in the new house to let them get used to their new home and territory. Is that enough time? I know they'll still hang about around the corner but would they scratch on the door or cry outside to come in like they do? We usually have kitchen window open and they pop in through there, heaven forbid the new owners of this house leave it open and find our four cats in their living room. And if they have a dog that isn't friendly with cats?

May sound overboard but we're planning on chatting with the new owners to let them know and hopefully they're civil - or better yet I hope it stays boarded up for a few months so the cats know it isn't their home any longer.

Sorry for the ramble. They've never experienced moving before and have all been kittens in this house. We had two cats that did move with us to this house and they got used to it but then one went missing and the other had to be put to sleep But I'm worrying because it's so very close they'll be confused?

Do you have any tips for me?

A week is definitely not long enough. More like a month!!

I think you will need to speak with the people who move into your old home. I'd say it's extremely likely they will try and 'go home'.

@Wolfiefan Thanks for the tip. Hopefully my stubborn husband won't let them out after a week.

@Beau Will do. But that's why I am hoping it will stay empty for a new months yet but it's very unlikely.

At least you'll know exactly where to check if they are late coming back.
Make new home really cosy and nice, lots of treats, etc.

@Bea Yes that is a relief to me. Their routine will be kept the same and so will ours so they won't be too unsettled.

Our cat managed to sneak out the day we moved into our house and she was fine although we moved across the other side of London. I would say two weeks for outdoor cats. Good luck with four of them though lol! Make sure you have lots of familiar smells around for them.