Tips for moving home with my kitties

Hi all Was not sure where to put this but the health of my cats is main, so I put it here, if it needs to be moved then please do so. nyways, I have had confirmation that we will be moving all being well 29th May. I have 5 kitties and have got 5 cat baskets, now I thought if I take them all from this house first off and put them in a room on their own in the new house, rather than leaving them till last and them being upset by people coming in and out and moving things, they could also escape. Is there any other tips that people can offer me? I am more worried about Fudge, she's my three legged cat and is very nervous and gets upset easily. I am hoping to put them in our bedroom and keeping them in the baskets until all the moving is done and we sit down and finally relax. Really any help would be appreciated, when we moved here I really messed up and moved them last as I thought it would be best and Fudge took a long time to get over it. Also Billy has only ever known here as he was a ferral I took in here. Thanks in advance. xx

Feliway, rescue remedy, and if you're going to have them in one room - make sure that room is set up completely. With a bedroom, have everything arranged and the bedding on the bed so that the room has as much familiar items in it as possible. They'll have been scent marking those items for a while now, so that's how it really helps them.

Other than that, make sure the new home is thoroughly cleaned (by you) before you move the animals in. I found rat poison all over my house, as well as scented granular packet thingies and mothballs in the closets. The carpets smelled like they had been liberally dosed with a scented carpet deodorizer. All things that could make cats violently ill. Who knows what other cleaner residues were on surfaces.

Once everything is moved in, get as many of their items out as possible and placed around the home. Use treats to help lure them out.

Thanks, I will get a feliway diffuser definetely, the bed needs putting together but its no problem to put some of their things around the room and things with familiar scents. We have made friends with the lady that we are exchanging homes with and I will be oing in to do my own clean even though it is clean, she has her own cat who we are also taking on so she is kitty friendly.xx

Once you get them in the new room, put big, dramatic Xs of tape (you can even get "crime scene" tape these days) on the outside of the door, to keep the movers out and prevent any escapes. That's assuming you can't lock them in!

They may not enjoy spending hours and hours in their baskets if the move takes awhile. This way, they'll have a bed to hide under...

Originally Posted by Bunnelina

Once you get them in the new room, put big, dramatic Xs of tape (you can even get "crime scene" tape these days) on the outside of the door, to keep the movers out and prevent any escapes. That's assuming you can't lock them in!

They may not enjoy spending hours and hours in their baskets if the move takes awhile. This way, they'll have a bed to hide under...

Click to expand...

Hi, yes I was worried about them being in their baskets, we have about 20 people helping so hopefully it won't take too long to move. Thats a good idea, I just don't want them getting distressed, I really am worried about Fude, she has never been right since losing her leg and she gets very upset, I want her to feel comfortable and be able to adjust to surroundings in her own time. we have picked a house for our cats needs and I think she will be happier there, she basically lives under our bed here. Feliway is a definete yes though, thanks. x

I would keep them contained in the carriers, in their room in the new house, until all moving is done. They will be okay for a few hours, and there will be no risk of anyone getting out this way, and you will have one less worry.

Safety first.

Their carriers are familiar places, plus cats like to be enclosed in small spaces when they are frightened. Keep the carriers in a circle facing each other so they can see each other.

Agree with the feliway plug in diffusers, and rescue remedy and familiar furniture.

Originally Posted by otto

I would keep them contained in the carriers, in their room in the new house, until all moving is done. They will be okay for a few hours, and there will be no risk of anyone getting out this way, and you will have one less worry.

Safety first.

Their carriers are familiar places, plus cats like to be enclosed in small spaces when they are frightened. Keep the carriers in a circle facing each other so they can see each other.

Agree with the feliway plug in diffusers, and rescue remedy and familiar furniture.

Click to expand...

Oh thats a good idea to put them facing each other, I am sure they will all be fine. I wouldn't want them sneaking out at all, thing is the people that are helping us are the other ladies friends (we're doing a house swap) so they might not be as aware of kitties as us. I will make it quite clear though and a sign might be a good idea. x