House Move - cat question

[michelem]

Hi we are moving over the road, so not far ! - we are going to put the our cat into a cattery for a night - so she will come back to the new house, do we keep her in for a few days and use a litter tray ( which she does not use at the moment) or let her out straight away and let her find her way around ?? Thanks

[Rosetta]

Not an expert, but I would suggest keeping her in , otherwise she will go straight back to your old house

[Jugglering]

It's recommended that you keep her indoors (which will entail the use of a litter tray) for about 2 weeks but this is really for moves to a totally new area. I would definitely keep her indoors for at least a week though, or she might simply go back to your old home.

I don't think I'd use a cattery for just one night, especially as you are only going across the road, why not just carry her over - either in a pillowcase (wrap her body up in the case, but keep her head clear so she can see what's going on around her) or in her own cat carrier. If you take your time crossing the road, constantly reassuring her, she shouldn't find it too traumatic. After about a week, you could accompany her out of the back of the new house, to let her explore the area - just make sure she is hungry when she goes out, so that she will come back to you for food.

My little thug got lost recently - I found her about 500 yards up the road, totally disorientated. She wouldn't let me pick her up or cuddle her, so I simply called her and walked slowly back to our home, constantly talking to her and stopping if she did. She followed me home and has been fine ever since.

[michelem]

Thank you both very much - your answers have been a great help :)

[showcatbenga]

Taking her to a cattery overnight is a good idea so that the stress of moving is minimised for her.
If it's a busy road in between then I think you may need to keep her in for as long as a few months & then choose your times to let her out initially until you can see if she tries to return to the old house.
I suggest that you explain your predicament to the new residents at your old house & furnish them with a photo of your cat plus your 'phone numbers.
Also if she is not microchipped already then get her done. It costs around �15 & if anything traumatic happens & she's 'found' then she'll be returned directly to you. It will also prevent anyone else 'aquire-ing' your cat since you can prove ownership.

[momac]

Take her to your new house in a cat carrier,keep all doors closed take her through each room in the house, keep her in all the next day, then she should be familiar with her surroundings plus her own scent will be all around the house, good luck.

[michelem]

Thank you all for all the advice, much apprecaited