Moving question - pet related

raspberry_bride

We will be preparing to move soon, and I am starting to worry about my cat.  I have had her since I was 11 and she will be coming with us, but she has only ever lived in one place her whole life.  She is also an outdoor cat, which is part of what worries me.  At my parent's house there is a big field right behind their house where she mostly goes, but at the new house there is only our backyard (which backs on to other people's yards).

Basically, I worry about two things.  That we won't be able to let her outside anymore, and that the move could be a big shock to her at her age.  I know cats are resilient, but I worry that at her age it might just be too much.  Anyone have any experiences with older cats and moving?

happy_un-bride

Sorry.... I had a younger dog when we moved.  I'm no help.  He adjusted very well to his new house and yard.

Jen&Joe06

I would suggest posting on the Pets board. You will get lots of help there!

Melozia

It's gonna be a shock, it always is. This time around, we moved everything into the new house first, then brought the cats. That way, there was some familiarity (smelss, etc). They adjusted rather quickly. I grew up with my cats going outside, but I do not let my current cats out unsupervised. We plan to build a "run" for them in the yard so they can be outside without us worrying. My parents have 2 older cats who stay inside all the time now...even thought they were outside cats. Maybe your cat will just decide to stay close to home.

Brookie-Cookie

is she always an outside cat or do you have a litter box inside?  If you do have a litter box sprinkle some used litter in your new yard.  It will help her to "know" which house is hers.  Other than that good luck! 

hispenguin

Our cat had only lived in our apartment when we moved. We had our house for about a week before we closed, so when I was going over to the house to paint, etc during that week we would pack Mikey up and let him explore the house. We started by putting his litter box in the laundry room (where it would stay) and just opening his carrier and letting him come out whenever he wanted.

He slowly got used to the house on his own that week, so moving day was not too bad for us. He did get a cold though about a week after we moved though. We have since discovered that whenever he is stressed (the move, change of seasons for some reason) he gets a cold. Our vet gave us some medication so whenever he starts to sneeze we give it to him for a week then he's good to go!

raspberry_bride

Thanks for the replies. I was away for a few days, so I was unable to respond.

Some very good ideas that I will try.  I think we will slowly introduce her as we move in, so as to not completely shock her.  She has a litter box inside, and as she has gotten older she only chooses to go outside in the warmer weather.  I will definitely try the litter thing too, thanks Brooke!