[Rosemary]

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  , 3  in a caravan

[knightquest]

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

[doganjo]

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.

[Rosemary]

OK. We'll go for two weeks, whenever they escape or whenever they drive me nuts, whichever is soonest. 

[Mo]

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.

[Fleecewife]

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 

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

When we got our latest cat we kept her indoors for a whole year  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    Or even the move itself - can't contemplate ever moving from here.  It would take many lorry loads and too much stress.

[little blue]

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 !!

[plumseverywhere]

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..)

[Sharondp]

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!

[plumseverywhere]

I didn't realise you had ragdolls Sharon!  I was thinking of buying one last year, they are beautiful!

[sheardale]

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           

[Sharondp]

The Raggies were 10 years old this year - my 'original babies'!