[roxyskater]

Hi Friends,

Our cat has never been out in 3 years of this house except when he was a kitten, Now we have to move and I have some questions about his adjusting to a new house. First of all do cats have adjustment problems? Will he try and run away? Should I keep him in a carrier for awhile? Should I move him on moving day first or last or bring him before while its empty so he can get used to it? Anyone with any experience in moving indoor cats please respond, any suggestions or knowledge will be appreciated. Thanks so much. and worried about chico...

Sincerely,

Roxy

hi roxy. my cat was indoor/outdoor. i know with outdoor cats the suggestion is to not let them go outside for 2-4 weeks because they may try to go back to the old place. their internal compass needs to reset or something like that. with an indoor cat i'd keep an eye on him so he doesn't get outside but i think he'll probably do fine roaming around inside freely. i usually moved my cat last so he wouldn't be upset by all the coming and going of things being moved into the new place or slip out. i don't know if there is a best way but that worked for my little guy. one time he got all excited and ran around doing hi speed laps inside while i was packing boxes. it was too funny. he's in heaven now after a long, happy life and i got a dog to replace him because he was irreplaceable. the dog is the silliest, cutest little guy.

[ECHOES]

I moved 2 months ago and I moved my indoor cat last. He was definitely noticing the packing and the change in the old place and I was glad when I could get everything moved and he could start adjusting.

In the new place I put his toys out, throughout the place and easy to find. I spent more time with him, playing and talking to him and even just being there so he could explore freely.

After about a week in the new place, he had found new favorite places to look outside, was used to my going to work and coming back.

There are new sounds and scents in a new place, and that will be intriguing to him at first and may make him cautious, but he'll get usded to them. I also read that this takes about 2 weeks.

He won't try to run away. He'll want to be where you are to feel more comfortable.

[roxyskater]

Originally Posted by reflection

hi roxy. my cat was indoor/outdoor. i know with outdoor cats the suggestion is to not let them go outside for 2-4 weeks because they may try to go back to the old place. their internal compass needs to reset or something like that. with an indoor cat i'd keep an eye on him so he doesn't get outside but i think he'll probably do fine roaming around inside freely. i usually moved my cat last so he wouldn't be upset by all the coming and going of things being moved into the new place or slip out. i don't know if there is a best way but that worked for my little guy. one time he got all excited and ran around doing hi speed laps inside while i was packing boxes. it was too funny. he's in heaven now after a long, happy life and i got a dog to replace him because he was irreplaceable. the dog is the silliest, cutest little guy.

Dear Reflection,

Thanks so much for your response so quickly!! OK so I should wait till the end to move him and make sure he doesnt get out of the new place which he will probably try and get out because it will be strange to him just like it will be to me!! I havent been further than my backyear either! And make sure chico stays indoors here without sneaking out untill we have to move. Ok I think I got it , if you here anything else I should know please let me know and thnak you so much again. My Prayers are with you.

Sincerely,

Roxy

[roxyskater]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

I moved 2 months ago and I moved my indoor cat last. He was definitely noticing the packing and the change in the old place and I was glad when I could get everything moved and he could start adjusting.

In the new place I put his toys out, throughout the place and easy to find. I spent more time with him, playing and talking to him and even just being there so he could explore freely.

After about a week in the new place, he had found new favorite places to look outside, was used to my going to work and coming back.

There are new sounds and scents in a new place, and that will be intriguing to him at first and may make him cautious, but he'll get usded to them. I also read that this takes about 2 weeks.

He won't try to run away. He'll want to be where you are to feel more comfortable.

Dear Echoes,

Thank you so much for your quick reply, all of you are easing my mind already! OK so just let him roam freely around the new place dont confine him to like one room or anything, put his toys out He is alreay a scardy cat so the slightest noise make him nervous and there will be a whole bunch of new noises to content with, for me as well!! We can try and get things in some kind of order quickly so he can get to the windows to look out, Im am kind of nervous because he not suppose to be outside but he has run out the door here and taken off but a few hours went by and he came home, so I will have to be very cardful he doesnt sneak out of the new place, he likes to go eat the grass!! Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Roxy

[ECHOES]

You can bring some grass inside for him to eat
Sometimes I bring a twig or leaf inside and my cat runs off with it!

the only other thing i can think of is to make sure he doesn't get out while you are moving out of the old place. if you can put him in a room with the door closed while you're taking the boxes out of the front door. my cat would never let me do that, so i had to put him in his carrier once i had the front door open to take all the boxes out.

i think you two will do fine. it's really not hard to move a cat from my experience unless they go outside. then they whine like crazy to get out in the new place. oh, do i have crazy stories about that. it was so bad i tried valium for him once. all it did was make him sloppy and whiny. too funny. i should have taken the valium instead. then i lost him for 4 1/2 months at my other new place because he got away but miraculously i got him back. he was my miracle kitty.

oh, make sure he has tags on with your new phone number just in case he does slip out. that's how i got my miracle cat back. someone finally called me.

[Shangrala]

This may sound bizarre...but it works.....(something my mom taught me eons ago)...
Once you get your kitty moved to your new home, (and, yes..move him after you have moved everything else first), put butter on kitties front paws...(don't need much). He will immediately begin to lick his paws, picking up the scent of his/her new home...(makes it easier for kitty to accept the scent of the new home). This has worked for my kitties the times I have moved.

Simple, yet effective.

Shangrala

[roxyskater]

Originally Posted by reflection

the only other thing i can think of is to make sure he doesn't get out while you are moving out of the old place. if you can put him in a room with the door closed while you're taking the boxes out of the front door. my cat would never let me do that, so i had to put him in his carrier once i had the front door open to take all the boxes out.

i think you two will do fine. it's really not hard to move a cat from my experience unless they go outside. then they whine like crazy to get out in the new place. oh, do i have crazy stories about that. it was so bad i tried valium for him once. all it did was make him sloppy and whiny. too funny. i should have taken the valium instead. then i lost him for 4 1/2 months at my other new place because he got away but miraculously i got him back. he was my miracle kitty.

oh, make sure he has tags on with your new phone number just in case he does slip out. that's how i got my miracle cat back. someone finally called me.

Dear Reflection,

Thanks so much for all you help and advice. I will keep it all in mind and follow the instructions you gave me!!

Sincerely,

Roxy

[roxyskater]

Originally Posted by Shangrala

This may sound bizarre...but it works.....(something my mom taught me eons ago)...
Once you get your kitty moved to your new home, (and, yes..move him after you have moved everything else first), put butter on kitties front paws...(don't need much). He will immediately begin to lick his paws, picking up the scent of his/her new home...(makes it easier for kitty to accept the scent of the new home). This has worked for my kitties the times I have moved.

Simple, yet effective.

Shangrala

Dear Shangrala,

Butter on his front paws!! I got it!!! Thanks so much for the advice, I appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Roxy