Another cat Moving Question

[EvianBaby]

So the big day is almost upon us and I'm just wondering what to do about moving the cat.

I plan to get all his things in the car without him seeing but as soon as he see's his box he will freak out. Then he'll be in the car for about half an hour and I know he hates so by the time I let him out in the new house he's going to be pretty frazzled.

I was wondering about his food. He usually gets fed around 5pm and I will probably be taking him over in the evening once everything else is over there. Would it be better to feed him before I put him in his box or would it be a good idea to wait until we get in the new house so that I can try and coax him out of whatever corner he'll be hiding in with some food? There's a good chance it would be a few hours after his normal eating time.

[nannybooby]

I would feed him after the move - in case he gets sick on the journey, also feed him and put a litter tray down so that you dnt have to let him out to pee etc at night in case he goes off on an adventure ! Dont forget lots of cuddles and watch him when he does go out at rst. Good luck .

[whiskeryron]

I suggest you transport him unfed ( to stop him pooing in his box). When you get to the other end take him outside on a lead to get him acclimatised to his new surroundings, do this for 3 days so that he does not wander off & get lost.

Ron.

[EvianBaby]

Thanks both for the answers. I'll take your advice and feed him in the new house.

I plan to keep him in as long as possible so I'll be stocking up on litter today. I've tried him on a harness in the past but he just spends his time trying to get it off rather then wondering around.

[Kiki-frog]

I agree with the others. Definitely best to feed him once he's arrived. It'll help him to settle in. Also, if he gets stressed by car travel, he'll probably just throw up anything he's eaten.

Good luck with the move - exciting!!!

[EvianBaby]

Thanks Kiki :)

[rowanwitch]

start with keeping him in one room at first to let him settle with some of the smells and so he feels he has a base from which to start a territory...

[Nosha123]

i agree with the advice here.. I have moved my Pickle Pants a few times... and always moved him LAST. So a quiet room is set up for him to hide in.. food and litter tray there too. Then the house is nice and quiet and no moving of furniture so he can calm down.
The checklist for you - is to make sure he wee's, poo's eats and sleeps.. when he has done all those he is settling in well!!!! Dont leave him on his own too much to start with. Even if he is hiding.. just keep popping your head in so he knows you are there... maybe make your bedroom the quiet place for him so he gets to sleep in the same room as you and not on his own in a strange house. AND DONT LEAVE ANY DOORS OR WINDOWS OPEN!!!

[EvianBaby]

Thanks for all the tips. Downstairs is pretty much all open plan (although it's not like it's a massive house) so I'll just keep him downstairs with me and give him lots of fuss.

In fairness, I do keep telling him we're moving but he just ignores me so it's not like he hasn't had any warning. :)

[ruthann58]

keep him indoors as long as you can i always try for a couple of weeks , and let him out the first time when its raining most cats dont like the rain so hopefully he wont want to go very far if hes getting wet

[CatGirl4]

I would try and keep calm too,they know when you're stressed.I'm hoping to move soon and i have 3 old cats-18-17 16,who have only know this house,so i reckon i'll be stressed! My 17yr old had a type of dementia and gets upset by anything different,so don't really know how my move is going to turn out.Good luck to you.

[Hopkirk]

When the removal men arrive, he will evacuate the house.

When it comes time to leave, he will be nowhere to be seen.

Is there anyone else can look after him at their house for the day, then you could collect him and take him to the new house?

[EvianBaby]

Thanks for all the advice, it really was helpful.

My dad locked him out the house by accident when we brought all my stuff to the new house but it actually worked really well as he was hanging around to get back in when I went to pick him up. Gave him a few treats and quickly put him in his box which I'd been hiding until the last minute. The journey wasn't very nice, he cried so much and kept looking at me through the bars with begging eyes to be let out but when we got here I opened the cage and put some food down for him and he was instantly scoffing away and after a few minutes was contently exploring his new territory (just hope he doesn't try and Mark it). He seems pretty calm and when I came down this morning there was a great big lump of poo in his litter tray which I took as a good sign. He hasn't been trying to escape yet either which makes things easier. Phew! Thanks so much again everyone! X

[Hopkirk]

Oh, that's great news.

I genuinely have been worrying over the little bundle of fluff.

[EvianBaby]

Lol, thanks Hopkirk! I swear owning a cat is more stressful than raising a child ;)

[albaqwerty]

Evian, that's where you are going wrong. The cat OWNS you :-)

Glad he's settled tho xx

[EvianBaby]

Ha ha! You are quite right! Wrapped around his little claw :)