Gertie Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Hi Everyone I am soon to move house with my 3 cats. I am planning to keep them in for a good while - at least a month. What is the best way to settle them in? The house is quite large but I should be able to keep them contained to the ground floor then gradually introduce other areas. The house has a back garden but it's near a couple of roads, not busy ones, but my current house backs onto fields. How can I make sure they stay safe and away from the roads? What do you suggest? Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 When I moved with my 4 cats 3 years ago I used that feliway spray and like you suggest kept them shut in the house for a while. They got used to one room first and then a couple of days later gave them the run of the house, then a week or so later let them outside with me when they were hungry. I think if they have furniture or toys that they are fond of make sure they know where they are in the new house. It is always a worry - I went from being closer to roads to being surrounded by fields - but worried they would have an accident with a farmer or farm animal. Good luck with move - hope you all settle in well into your new home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbug Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Butter on their paws before you let the out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 I was going to suggest Feliway, too. Designate a room in the new house for them, and make a big notice for the door so that "Ooops, word censored!"ody lets them out by mistake. Once the removal men have gone and the dust has settled, let them explore a bit more within the house. I don't think you need to keep them in for as long as a month, to be honest - once they're familiar with the house and seem settled after a few days, I'd let them out but do it before a meal is due. Be prepared for their first 'outing' to be a long one. They need to explore the boundaries of their new territory and in my experience they often disappear for up to 12 hours on the first day - they will come back for food though! Nothing you can do about the road, sadly. I live on a busy road and my cats don't go near it - there's too much to do in the back gardens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted July 14, 2011 Author Share Posted July 14, 2011 Thanks Everyone! I will defo try the feliway, I have some of that already. Hmmm, not sure about the butter...they make enough mess without the addition of greasy paw prints!!!!! I might be a bit overcautious keeping them in for a month but I want them to feel really secure! We'll have to see if they let me keep them in that long or if they start shredding curtains etc. They have lots of toys & scratchposts etc. Thanks x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I always used to advise clients that 2 weeks was enough time and no need to restrict to a small area. The sooner they get used to the inside of the house the better. The ONE thing I did stress was that the whole thing of packing/moving/unpacking could be unbearably stressful so the best thing....really... was to pack them off to a cattery for those three days. You might be pleasantly surprised at their attitude if you did this. Best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
