What to do with your Cat when you move house?

[parkers]

Hi,

We will be moving into our new home in the next few months (depending on the builders) and we have no idea how to introduce our cat to her new surroundings?

I'm sure I've heard all sorts of ideas about what to do/ what not to do etc... In your experience what is the best thing to do..?

At the moment we live in Coronation St type surroundings and she only ever ventures out the back and into other people's gardern's, therefore we don't think that she is particularly streetwise - when it comes to cars etc... Although for all we know she could be getting up to all sorts.

The new house is surrounded by fields and does not directly back onto another house.. Also she does not use a litter tray, just waits by the window to be let out..

Thanks

[allotment10]

www.cat-world.com.au/movinghousewithyourcat

www.fabcats.org/moving.html

www.helpiammoving.com/moving_house

i think there a few more sites that will give plenty of advice, but every time i moved with my cat , when at last he ventured out, i always put dabs of butter on his paws every time he went out,he'd then lick it off and supposedly followed the scent, don't know if it's true or not but have done it all the time with mine & (fingers crossed ) haven't lost any of them! good luck.

[Lakeslad]

When we moved, we kept our cat indoors for a few days until she realised where her new food and water spot was. Once she got used to this we carried her outside a few times then pointed her in the direction of the door back o the house where my other half stood with cat biscuits. She soon got used to finding the entrance back into the house. After this we put butter on her paws and let her wonder, while keeping and eye on her. Now I don't know if the butter actually makes a difference but it seemed to work. The whole process took about a week and a half.

Hope that helps.

[WendyS]

If your cat does not use a litter tray, I suggest you try and start getting her used to using one now, as after you move it would be wise to keep her shut indoors for a few days. Trying to get her used to the new experience of a litter tray in a strange house will just add to her sense of alienation, so if there is one familiar thing around this will help. When she is waiting by the door to be let out, put her on the litter tray. Obviously she can still toilet outside as well but she needs to learn that the litter tray is an alternative.

After a few days in your new home, go outside with her for a few minutes and keep close by her. She may be totally unnerved at first by vast open fields but cats are pretty curious and in time she will build up her confidence. I bet it won't be long before she's out hunting in the fields and bringing you home little furry "presents"! Enjoy your new home.

[Bohne]

One of my cats moved twice with me so far.
I always hear, that you should let them indoors for a while (around two weeks), but after two or three days, she's kicking up such a fuss, that I let her out.

It always worked fine so far.
They are not stupid, they just make you believe they are, if it suits them!

:o)

[parkers]

Thank you so much for excellent advice...

xx

[gobzie]

put a phew things the cat is used to around the house to make the cat feel more at home

fron robert (gobzie)

[rachel1978]

When we moved house we kept our cats in for about a week and then we took them in the back garden on a lead for a few days to get use to the surroundings and there all fine, it worked really well