Moving house with my cat

[~max~]

Hi all! I will probably be moving to a new flat at the end of the month. My cat Jessie is now 8 months old, and has never been outside, which I am keen to continue doing.
How do I introduce her to the new place? I know cats are very territorial animals, so is she likely to go on a rampage when faced with an unfamiliar place (ie: pee on furniture, scratch)?? I am lucky to be able to be home all day so she will no be left alone for any long period of times. Do you have tips on how to make the move as easy for her as possible? Many thanks!

[DSJ]

Are you taking all your own furniture with you? If so, there shouldn't be a problem.

[~max~]

No, it's a rental and the place is furnished....Do you think it will be a problem because she won't recognise the scent? That is what I'm worried about.

[skyep]

max - I don't know how to post a link. I have just found lots of information on this by putting - moving house with cats in to www.ask.co.uk xxx

[~max~]

Thanks Skyep, I've been reading up on it online, very informative. I suppose I'd like some personal experiences though, see how other people's furry devils took to moving!

[weeal]

hey congrats on the new flat wooo hooo

some folk say to butter their paws for a while
dunno why tho but its to with scent (fat lot of god i am eh)

[~max~]

Thanks Weeal, still awaiting confirmation tonight, but my friend said it shouldn't be a problem. :O)
I read that you can run a cotton ball against their cheeks and neck to collect pheromones (or something!) then rub it on the new furniture at cat height. That way their scent will be in the new place already, and they'll feel safer....

[weeal]

note to self, find a nice bloke and rub cotton on his cheeks so he'll stay put lol

[~max~]

lol!!!

[dot.hawkes]

Hey Max have you read my threads further down about my cat Tom? He had been with us 10 years at the old house and he has taken to this place like he has never known anywhere else!!!

[~max~]

Yes Dot, I saw it! Quite weird hey! I'm hoping that she will appreciate the warmth in the new place, as we';ve spent the winter freezing our a$$es off in here! lol

[DSJ]

Hi again! We have moved several different cats, one from overseas to the UK, & none of them has ever strayed. We have usually kept them in for a few days before allowing them out into the garden. This won't be a problem for you as your cat doesn't go outside.

Has kitty scratched furniture or carpets in your current flat?

Good luck with the move.