Ragdoll Cat Forums

So assuming everything goes well and we close next week, we'll be moving the last weekend of August.

I'm not exactly certain what to do with Atrus when we do this; I've never moved with a pet before.

While we are loading our truck, he's going to be locked in our bathroom with food/water/litter/toys perhaps, etc. Then he'll be in his carrier in my car with me (only about an hour drive). When we get there, he'll be put in either the full or half bath, or maybe the smallest bedroom with all his stuff. I don't expect it to take a long time to get everything into the house (maybe out of the apartment will take a while), since we will have a lot of friends helping. But I'm sure he'll be unhappy the whole time.

The half bath is off of the lower level, which attaches to the garage (bi-level house). Since we will be moving many or most things onto the lower level, would it be better to put him upstairs where there will be less activity for him to hear? All that will be moved to that area upper level will be like beds, chests of drawers. Kitchen stuff and TV and associated items will be moved up there as well, but on the other side of the house. Anything that doesn't have a pre-determined spot will stay on the lower level. Would the upper level bathroom or bedroom be better so that he will not hear us? I'm sure he'll still hear us anyway, but not right outside the door.

I don't want him sitting in there crying the whole time, but he's never been kept in a room by himself long enough for me to know if that's what he'd do. Should I pick up some Feliway or Rescue Remedy or other sort of product? I've never used any of them before.

Hopefully we can get done pretty early and after everyone is gone I want to let him out and follow him around while he explores. Should he be given free reign of the house? If we need to leave, should we put him back in a room? I'd have to go to work on Monday and wouldn't want to leave him in a room all day.

Lock him in a safe area as quiet as possible. He may be upset, but his safety is the key issue. Put a sign on the door to warn everyone not to open the door, even if locked.

Not sure if anyone else would recommend this, but wonder if you have a regular cattery/place that Atrus goes when you are away on holiday etc.

When we moved to this house 5 years ago we had a Birman of nearly 15 and I was very concerned for her. Luckily for us; my parents' home was her holiday home and somewhere she loved and so we took her there approx 3 days before moving day, ie before the real disruption started in our old place and we didn't move her into our new place until 2/3 days after we had moved in. My theory was, to minimise the disruption around her and to get as many things in place as we could, before she arrived, so that she only had to deal with the change of location and not, lots of chaos too. This had the added advantage of her avoiding the tension of the move day/our concern at the same time for her (and of course the worry for her safety) and secondly, boy did it make us get a move on, to get the place as near straight for her, as we could within a couple of days!! Lastly of course; like this we were better placed to give her the time she needed in those first hours, without needing to be hunting for the kettle etc!!

Of course this may not be practical for you in geographical terms, or you may not have somewhere that he goes to when you are on holidays. Whichever; I am sure Atrus will be fine as long as you are there, when he finds himself in his new abode.

Good luck with the move!

I have to agree with Sue (again - lol), I would board Teddy if I was moving. He's such a sensitive little creature that I think it would be too much for him. If there's somewhere you can board Atrus - cattery, the vet's, a trusted family member or friend - that might be the best solution for all.

I dont know if this is possible for you, but when i moved house a couple of months ago I kept my two cats at my old house until there was nothing else to move. Even though my furniture had been moved out, I felt that they would be less stressed in 'their home' then their new one. Once everything was set up in the new house, I then went back to bring them over and let them explore their new home.

They were very stressed at the beginning. Edward just sat at the front door too scared to go anywhere else. But Puss Puss (my boyfriends cat to begin with) had moved around quite a few times before moving in with me so she just explored the house. Edward then thought it was safe to follow.

Although, I understand your situation might be a bit different. You only have Atrus, so he wont have another cat to lead him the way and your drive is an hour. Mine was only 20 minutes.

If you have to bring him over first thing you get in there, I would suggest closing him into your bedroom or something with some blankets or a chair and some toys. No doubt he will cry - but it will definitely be best for him to stay out of the action.

I think your biggest concern needs to be safety. He is very likely to want to escape and hide somewhere. Personally, I think the more secluded he is, the happier he will be. I would want mine to weather the move in a large locked pet carrier until all moving activity is over.