Murray and the big move

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purrrplej

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Well, the moving van came yesterday, and Murray and I have moved into our new apartment. I'm pleased to report that Murray has adjusted to it remarkably well. I had confined him to his carrier (which he wasn't happy about) while the movers did their thing, then let him out after the movers left, so Murray could explore. (I got a scare when I went out to my car to bring in a few things, and I returned to realize that I'd left the sliding glass door to the patio open - but fortunately, Murray hadn't escaped!) Murray looked kind of wary at first, kind of slunk around the apartment, but after a few passes around the rooms, he seemed okay. He lay out in the middle of the floor in his usual "I'm interested in what's going on, but not worried" pose. He napped a little bit in the closet, then reappeared. He ate well and used the litter box. He slept with me in the bed last night. In short, all was pretty much normal, and he seems at home already. I think it helps to have the same furniture, rugs, etc., and to have the litter box and food dishes in similar locations to where they were in the previous house. Also it helped to have me home for most of the day.

I decided not to confine him to a small room for the first few days to adjust, then let him out, because I know Murray pretty well, and he is an inquisitive little guy, an explorer at heart, and I thought he would appreciate being able to explore the entire apartment. And I was right. He did really well. (He only hid when the cable guy came, and even then he came out after a while.) I'm very happy with how well he has adapted.
 
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happilyretired

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Some years ago when I moved with a 5-year-old cat, I didn't confine her in the new apartment (except while the movers were there, of course), and she "confined" herself--i.e., she explored at her own pace. You are right--it helps that the furniture and rugs are the same.

The following year, we moved to a new house, and on moving day, I took her to the vet to have her teeth cleaned so that there would be no problem with confining her (the movers can be SO slow). When I brought her to the new house, all our furniture, etc. was in place, but it was a big place, so I brought her to the small room where her litterbox was and kept the door almost closed to see what she wanted to do. This time, she raced through the house checking out everything at once.

She's no longer with me (lived to almost 20), but a month ago I adopted an adult male and brought him to the same room with the litter box and the door almost closed. But he immediately wanted to check out EVERYTHING and went everywhere. I think it's all a matter of the individual cat's temperament, and you know yours well.
 
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krazy kat2

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The thought of moving my 4 cats halfway across the country gives me the shivers. They will, of course ride with me in the car, but it will be a 2 day trip from eastern NC to Austin, TX. I have moved to and from Kansas City back to Augusta GA, with 2, but never moved far with 4. I would not consider leaving them behind, though. I am going to try out some Rescue Remedy. I had thought about getting those little bottles that you give small animals like hamsters water in. Does that sound like a good idea? They could just lick them if they got thirsty.
 
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purrrplej

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Originally Posted by krazy kat2

The thought of moving my 4 cats halfway across the country gives me the shivers. They will, of course ride with me in the car, but it will be a 2 day trip from eastern NC to Austin, TX. I have moved to and from Kansas City back to Augusta GA, with 2, but never moved far with 4. I would not consider leaving them behind, though. I am going to try out some Rescue Remedy. I had thought about getting those little bottles that you give small animals like hamsters water in. Does that sound like a good idea? They could just lick them if they got thirsty.
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Do you think the kitties would figure out that the little bottles = water?

Good luck with that big move. If you made it through a big trip with two cats, then I'm sure you can handle it with four.
 
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jynxs mom

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purr & krazy - Yes, cats will know a water bottle. Even the best bottles get some water dripping past the metal ball. It's like if you were to move their water ball in some other room, behind a box or bag. They'll find it. If not, get the nuzzle of it wet so that they'll either bump into it and find out that it's water or they will lick it and get more water.

Heck, if a hamster knows it's water.. A cat will too!


We've moved so many times.. About every year or two. The longest trip so far was about four hours. We learned to keep her more 'covered' up, and she generally slept the whole trip.
 
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