The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Pets & Working Animals => Cats => Topic started by: Rosemary on August 06, 2010, 10:27:27 pm

Title: Moving cats
Post by: Rosemary on August 06, 2010, 10:27:27 pm
We're moving the cats to Dalmore tomorrow. They're wormed and deflea-ed. Their jammies are packed along with brush, sheepskins and "special" box (the one they all want to sleep in). I've got a Feliway plugin for the caravan and Feliway spray for the car and the caravan.

Anything else I can do? How long should I keep them in for?

Dan, me, 2  :dog:, 3  :cat: in a caravan ::)
Title: Re: Moving cats
Post by: knightquest on August 06, 2010, 10:37:40 pm
The cat folk around here recommend keeping 'em in for two weeks when moving. That's just their say so as we are dog peeps tho'  :)

Ian
Title: Re: Moving cats
Post by: doganjo on August 06, 2010, 10:57:53 pm
Yes, I was told that too.  Mine escaped when I had been here three days, I was sick with worry till they ran back in as soon as they saw an open door. ;D
Title: Re: Moving cats
Post by: Rosemary on August 07, 2010, 07:39:29 am
OK. We'll go for two weeks, whenever they escape or whenever they drive me nuts, whichever is soonest.  ;D
Title: Re: Moving cats
Post by: Mo on August 07, 2010, 07:46:27 am
Don't forget to put butter on their paws when you let them out   :)

I have no idea if this works, or course, but I like Old Wives Tales. It's something to do with picking up the soil around the new home I think.
A more realistic tip is to scatter some of their litter in the yard when you first let them out.
Title: Re: Moving cats
Post by: Fleecewife on August 07, 2010, 12:01:24 pm
I thought the butter on the paws was so they would sit and wash, and therefore feel at home, rather than rush straight off dementedly  ;D

When we moved here our biggest problem was the road - three  :cat: squashed so far in 15 years  :(

When we got our latest cat we kept her indoors for a whole year  :o apart from when she first came into season when she escaped and stayed away for 3 miserable days before she came home with a smile on her face  ;)

Good luck with the packed caravan Rosemary - don't envy you that  ;D  Or even the move itself - can't contemplate ever moving from here.  It would take many lorry loads and too much stress.
Title: Re: Moving cats
Post by: little blue on August 07, 2010, 07:32:56 pm
was going to say about buttering their paws, it is as i understand to keep them busy!

my in-laws old cat used to walk 2 miles "home" every night in the '50s, the locals used to send him back on the bus, or any vehicle that was going the right direction !!
Title: Re: Moving cats
Post by: plumseverywhere on August 07, 2010, 09:39:31 pm
I let ours out when they were really hungry so that when I called them they had an incentive to come back - seemed to work! now Bobby the kitten is starting to venture out (so that will be another cat bringing in dead rabbits and mice soon...he's already lethal with leaves..)
Title: Re: Moving cats
Post by: Sharondp on August 08, 2010, 08:31:08 am
We've moved SEVEN times with our cats! Including to Jersey and back! On each move we've kept them in for as long as it took hubby to fit a cat flap! We let them out before feeding and as soon as we bang their bowls together they come running back. Being Ragdolls they don't venture too far!
Title: Re: Moving cats
Post by: plumseverywhere on August 08, 2010, 08:44:29 am
I didn't realise you had ragdolls Sharon!  I was thinking of buying one last year, they are beautiful!
Title: Re: Moving cats
Post by: sheardale on August 08, 2010, 02:40:49 pm
I kept mine in for just less than 2 weeks, but carried them out in my arms for a wee look around each day.  They settled in well.  Cheers Helen           :cat: :cat: :cat:
Title: Re: Moving cats
Post by: Sharondp on August 08, 2010, 03:34:15 pm
The Raggies were 10 years old this year - my 'original babies'!  :)