Cat psychologist required .. house move

[Thehouseintheforest]

I moved house on Monday. One of the main reasons being that my furry overlords were in danger of being squished and I needed to find them somewhere safer.

Our last home, the only home they have ever known, was lovely.. a gatehouse on a stately home estate.. 150 acres of park out the back door BUT a very busy 'A' road 20 feet from the front door. Big boy already hit once ! ... so we have moved.. They arrived at 8 weeks and have only ever know that house...

I did all the recommended moving tips.. got them used to the carrier.. put it in the car etc etc..

Arrived after all the unloading/unpacking done. New home calm.. bought them in (only 20 mins from former home) They cried all the way.. new home is very very rural. (Photo taken from my sofa) quiet country road and then house down a track ..

They have been out of their carrier and scurried behind the boiler /washing machine/my bed... in that order. Now 4 days and still under the bed 90% of the time. They have eaten a little and have used the litter tray which they aren't used to.. any idea how I encourage them out.. ? .. and how long to keep them in the house.. they are used to being in and out as they please .

TIA

I'd say keep them in until they look really comfortable in the house, and are feeling at home. Otherwise they'll go looking for what they think of as their 'real' home. So it could be a long while still. Always best to let cats go at their own pace if they're anxious. I'd spend lots of time sitting on the floor in your bedroom reading or looking at your phone. Not paying attention to them, but letting them see you being relaxed. And maybe have a few dreamies next to you.

I second keeping them in until they look & behave more settled.
We adopted two rescue cats (in February) & were told to wait 3 weeks before we let them out. Advice was also to keep them in one room for the first week & then gradually introduce them to the rest of the house - doors closed for most rooms at first, opening them in turn.
Have to say it felt like forever but the result was two very settled kitties.
Sounds like hiding under the bed is their own idea of keeping to one room!
Don't worry, don't rush, they will be fine in their own time and of course so much safer for the rest of their lives, thanks to you.

Thank you ! I am already three packs of dreamies down !! ... I will try to go at their speed. Bizarrely they are quite adventurous at night ... out and about , exploring their new home and then coming back to my room to sleep on my head !! I hope the little buggers appreciate that I have done this for them .

I waited 4 weeks with our Bengal, hiding is normal.

Plug in a Feliway Classic in the room they are spending most of their time in.

Feliway and keep them in one room each until they are sick of that room (a few days) then they'll associate that as their safe space forever and be inquisitive everywhere else.

I found my cat did the same. He's quite ignorant as most cats are. So I ignored him.

It gave him space and surely enough he started to wonder about

Keep them in for at least three weeks and longer if they still don't seem relaxed and settled. Make sure you don't leave any windows open.

I'd do it differently. Doors open, you sitting in the lovely garden near the door, enjoying the wonderful view - they'll seek you out and that'll make it worth risking the new and strange place that turns out to have extremely interesting smells.

They'll most likely scramble over one another to get back inside when you get up, too.

Thanks everyone.. I am so excited for them to explore their new outside space.. our previous home had a similar outlook from the back door but I was always terrified every time they were out that they would be squished if they went around the front.. so looking forward to them being able to get out without any worry...

Day 6 .. new hiding place behind a picture that's waiting to be put up and currently leaning against the wall.. both have squidged in there together. Off to buy some feliway....

I reckon when you go out they're raving round all the rooms, flicking feline Vs behind your back and taking the piss. As soon as they hear you coming back they hide again.