When to move cats

[TheBrockmans]

We are moving, in the lucky position of having two houses for a short time. House 1 will be virtually emptied on day 1 or 2. We will move out ourselves on day 1. House 2 has room A which we are planning to put cats in for a few weeks as they get used to the new house, with supervised forays around the house. Also has view of garden and will be the room from which they will eventually access the garden. Perfect!

Only problem is that on day 3 the locksmith is replacing and adding locks in room A and will need to remove door etc. Might also be drilling noise.

Do we either move cats with us on day 1 and put them in upstairs room for the few hours locksmith is replacing various door locks. Or leave them in current house which will be virtually empty by then and pick them up evening of day 3. Houses are not far apart, they are used to being left with cat sitters popping in, they would prefer that to cattery but will the lack of furniture freak them out? Cat 1 particularly likes to go out so he could be out most of day 1 and 2 he is at most risk of escaping and getting scared by the whole process. Cat 2 will do whatever we want her to as she is not the cleverest to be honest and very bonded to us - i.e. always under our feet. Leaning towards option 2 but will that then unsettle them before the move?

They also fight somewhat so wondering if should bring cat 2 over on day 1 and cat 1 on day 3. Cat 2 can be put on a lead and besides won't go out before April or the ambient temperature is about 20 degrees plus no chance or rain.

Personally I would keep them wherever I would be the most. So if you are mostly moving on day 1, take them then. You'll be around more to reassure them.

They should be fine in another room for a few hours while locks are changed.

I'd put them in the cattery, even if they dont like it its only a couple of days and you know they'll be safe and secure while you crack on with moving. If you do take them to your new house while workmen are about I would suggest sticking a photograph of the room they are in. Just as a reminder to everyone they are in there and to not open the door or make sure outside doors are closed if the door needs opening. Helped us when moving house and various workmen coming and going.

Most of the work in the new house is done, other than this bit. He would hate a cattery, he was semi- feral living in the garden when we took him on from our neighbour's. Took him a month to come all the way into the house and always wants an escape route. He will be perfectly safe in the old house and to be honest day 1 and 2 we will be back and forth moving things. It is just the lack of furniture. Maybe I will leave a few chairs so he can jump on things.

Hi TheBrockmans, I have a cat who sounds very similar to yours. Our vet told us that he could never go to a cattery because it would cause him huge anxiety. When we moved, we left him in the old place until everything had been unloaded at the new place and then returned to get him last thing at night. He was initially very frightened by the new place and it would have been unmanageable if there was any kind of building work going on during first few weeks. If you can return to check on him regularly, I would leave him where he feels safe and comfortable. Does he have a cat basket that can stay with him? If the cattery will really frighten him I think you should avoid it if at all possible. Then get him on day three after work is finished and it’s quiet.

I've always put mine in the cattery for a house move. I think it's less unsettling for them if they can come into the new house with all the furniture out, plus it avoids the risk of them bolting/hiding due to the upheaval which is the last thing you need when you are moving.

In the end we took him before the building work as he hated the empty rooms as soon as he saw them. The new house was already furnished so it wasn't an issue. He was a little reluctant the first evening but since then he has been exploring the new house. He is desperate to go outside so maybe at the weekend. Have been spreading his litter tray contents around the outside of the garden. There will be a bit of a turf war as they have decided that they don't like the cats from down the road who look through the window until we scare them away. It was definitely right for him not to go to a cattery and we were lucky that it was a staggered move. Curling up on my lap like nothing ever happened!