Selling house! How do I convince my cats to move?

You need to bring them in carriers to the new house. Set them up in a room where they're not likely to get into mischief (the spare bathroom, perhaps) so they can get used to the smells and sounds of that house for a few days.

Once your furniture's been delivered and set up, even if you're still unpacking, let the cats out of the room, but not out of the house. Let this go on for a couple of days before letting them out of the house. That gives them ample time to associate the new house as "home".

Exploring the neighbourhood

Keep your cat inside for the first two or three weeks to give him time to learn the geography of his new home and to become accustomed to the smells. When you decide the time is right to let him out, withhold food for about 12 hours so he is hungry. If he already associates a particular sound (tapping a bowl or rattling a bag of biscuits) with food so much the better. Choose a quiet time to let him out in the garden, firstly ensuring that there are no other cats about. Go out with him and let him explore for a little while before calling him in for food. Repeat the exercise several times, allowing him to go a little further and for a while longer each time. Cats used to the outdoors generally cope well with a new territory to explore. Timid cats may take a little longer and should be accompanied as often as possible until their confidence builds.

If your cat is spending time outdoors he should be microchipped or have some form of identification - a snap-open collar is probably the safest - bearing his name, your new address and 'phone number. If your cat is microchipped don't forget to inform the registering company of your change of address.

Moving can be stressful for some cats what with the noise, boxes and strangers everywhere. While you are preparing, try and keep the packed boxes in a spare room with the door shut if possible. Vomiting can be a sign of acute stress and they can easily become dehydrated so take them straight to the Vet for an anti-vomiting jab if this happens.

On moving day itself, put the cats in a room out of the way with food, water and toilet facilities (an en-suite bedroom is preferable as the tray can be put in there well away from the food). A radio turned on low may also help to keep the cats calm as well as masking the noises of the moving men.

When you arrive at your new home, again, unload the cats into a quiet room making sure you leave them a blanket or jumper; something which smells of you. While you are organizing the unloading, make sure you keep your voice down when you go near the room so they remain unaware of you, otherwise they may want to come out and find you.

Keep them inside for a couple of weeks, letting them get used to their new surroundings before letting them outside. Traditionally, putting butter on a cat's paws will ensure they come back home. That's the back of the paw, btw, skidding into walls doesn't help anybody ;)

When I moved house, I led my cat around the garden on a cat leash for the first week, letting her get used to where she was and was not allowed to go. This was largely because she was 15 at that time and my garden backed straight out onto woodland which I didn't want her going into and getting stuck in. As your youngest is only a year, I don't think it is much use for you but maybe a good tip for the future.

When they first go outside, ensure there are garden chairs or something they can sit under to feel protected while they get used to their environment. Only let them outside for a short while before bringing them back in (getting them to walk inside of their own accord is best), making a big fuss of them and hand feeding them a special treat when they are back inside. Repeat the praise and treats until you feel they are happy going in and out on their own. Cat's can't be trained but they can ALWAYS be bribed.

Good luck with the move!

Theo

use cat leashes for the first few weeks to get them used to the area , i know its hard to convert a outdoor cat but for the first few weeks of there new home they should live 100% indoors (prepare to here alot of whining) then gradually introduce them to the great out doors , also make sure to take them in at night

You will have two options:

1. Train them to a harness/leash and take them outside in the new home.

2. Build/buy a good large cat enclosure for them to sit in outside.

Cats usually find their own way back home. They are pretty smart like that. Just keep em in the backyard for a few days and the house and allow time to adjust.

try to put your furniture almost exactly like it was in your old house and move things around the way you want one at a time

Hope this helps :)