Comments on: I am moving my house, my cats have lived at my house all their lives how will they cope moving?

By: Blackcat

Blackcat — Thu, 27 May 2010 02:06:59 +0000

Don’t worry cats are happy as long as they are with their owners,i have moved with cats before one was 9 before she moved for the first time, others moved 5 times in 15 years,all coped well surprisingly,some leave cats indoors for two weeks but i always let them go when they asked,as i felt locking them in made them desperate for freedom so more likely to roam when let out,

some wanted to go the same day others didn’t want to for a week i always let the cat decide when,but when you do let them out doors make it at night its dark quiet and less traffic, so they can explore in peace,as in the day with people children and cars will scare them,

and leave an outside light on so they can recognise the house from afar and stay on the step to call out to them on the first few days to reassure them,its good there are two so they can watch out for one another,

when cats go outside first time there may be squabbles with other local cats over territory all normal,but they need to claim their patch as soon as they can,it may help too when you let them out to sprinkle some used wet litter near fences and gates where they will come back through,the scent will help them find the way home easily,

and it will let other cats know its their patch too,i have done this and i saw local cats sniff at it then leave,but when our cats went out the other cats were used to the idea of other cats about after sniffing the litter scent,this then made it easier on our cats less aggression from other cats,

they wont run away its rare for cats to return to an old home,but if you make your new home homely with their stuff such as toys basket and post,they will realise this is now home why because your there with them,and their scents,cats are bright so as long as they have you they will be happy and soon settle,

dont worry i have moved many times with cats and done all the above,and they were settled and happy in the new home with me!
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Moved many times with cats,never lost one.

By: M & M Mom

M & M Mom — Thu, 27 May 2010 01:27:59 +0000

They will hate it and be upset. Keep them in the house and don't let them out. It might take a few weeks for them to adjust.
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By: LiveLaffLuv

LiveLaffLuv — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:55:59 +0000

first off, make sure they DON’T RUN OUTSIDE. if they were outdoor cats before, try changing their habits to be an indoor cat. i have moved before with my cats (2 female), and the first day at your new house you should keep their food, litterbox, and themselves in just one small room or bathroom so they get used to the new environment, then slowly let them out everyday to "explore" the rest of the house until they can be on their own. always put items they have been around near them, like their old toys, scratching post, etc.

mainly, change them into indoor cats. be careful when you open doors. most of all, try to make the new house similar to your old one, so that they will slowly get used to it.

hope this helps!
References :
my experience with my parents moving (with my two cats)

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:17:59 +0000

I will always be a cat lover who loves for cats to be indoor only. I have 5 rescued cats, all of which were outdoor or indoor/outdoor at some point in their life, trust me, they get over it (I also work at a bird rehabilitation center so I keep cats indoors for the purpose as well). If you are going to let them outside again than it is a good idea to give them a transition period where you keep them indoors only at the new house. I've heard you keep them indoors all the time for a month or two to let them get used to the new house so they know they live there, then go outside with them and eventually let them go outside alone. I have never had to do this before though so I'm not aware of the success of this, just something I know I've heard form a couple different people at the barns I work at, a lot of them have outdoor barn cats.
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By: vs1958

vs1958 — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:46:59 +0000

I have moved several time with cats, and almost all cats REALLY dislike moving. They do eventually become used to their new home, but it takes awhile. To keep your cats from running away I would definitely not let them outside until they seem totally comfortable in your new house. In fact, it’s a good idea to never let them out because outdoor cats almost always have a shorter lifespan. Just too many hazards out there!
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35 years of cat ownership

By: slipknot.fan08

slipknot.fan08 — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:20:59 +0000

I move my cats around twice a year between my summer home and my winter home. When we first started doing it, we were nervous about how they react to the change. We kept them inside for as long as we could, so they could adjust to their new "home". When they finally ventured outside, they knew where their home was.
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By: Joel D

Joel D — Wed, 26 May 2010 22:39:59 +0000

If you're moving any distance it shouldn't be a problem. I recommend putting them in a cat carrier in your car. Then keep them inside for a week or so and let them use a litter box. Then just open the door and let them go out. They will, by then, know where you and the food will be.
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By: Skittles

Skittles — Wed, 26 May 2010 21:54:59 +0000

let them be inside the new house and if possible leave the windows open. after about a week they will know where they live. i thought about the same thing with my cat and she goes out for a little while at night and wants in a few hours later. no worries with her.
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By: John

John — Wed, 26 May 2010 21:40:59 +0000

keep them inside for a while, let them know you live there now leave out food, water outside so they know they have to come back to get that etc.
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