Using a finger dipped in purple ink, "Henry's Sprog ie"
<inboxie@yahoo.com>  scribed:
 

Cage the cats until you're FULLY moved in.

Having their familiar furniture and other things in the house will help
them accept it.

Letting them loose in the bare house will probably only stress them out
more.

Lumber Cartel (tinlc) #2063. Spam this account at your own risk.

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Hello Henry!

I have moved quite a few times with my cats, also both prior strays.  Taking
them to a large empty house so they can find their way around seems like a
good idea, but a lot of times it is too overwhelming for them.

My suggestion would be... put them in one room.  (You may wish to get them
settled in before the big moving day and this will also let you know they are
safely tucked away somewhere.)  Let them get used to the new smells of your
home.  And, in that room bring things that they are familiar with and can
smell.  Set up their litter box and food.  Also, any beds or toys they may
have and, as a final added comfy, safe item, give them something that smells
like you.  I usually put in a blanket that I've been using on my bed.

Let them be in the room for a couple of days to settle down.  Moving and
upsetting their routine is very disturbing to cats.  They like the same ol',
same ol' every day, so just "the move" is enough to handle without exploring
a new home.  Spend time with them in the room.  Once you let them get used to
the new room and the new smell and have your belongings from the old house...
then let them out of their room and into the rest of the house.  Having your
things there will make it smell familiar and be less daunting then just a
huge empty house.  I would keep an eye on them and make sure that they are
okay.  Talk to them, reassure them, give them loads of affection, and make
sure they know the location for the new "homes" of their litter box(es) and
food.

One final thing, because you have a Houdini kitty, I would check all around
your new home and make sure there aren't any little holes or places where she
might squeeze through and sneak out.  It might sound silly, but I've known it
to happen.

My kitties, Reilly & Keegan, have faired well with their moves.  Best of luck
to you in your move and my best to your cats as well.  Take care, jb

Having two cats, and having moved twice with them in the last three
years, I'd say move them _after_ everything else. While at the old
place, keep them in a room with some of their things, and preferably
some "hiding" spots (a closet, a cardboard box, or similar). Then, after
you've moved everything else, take them to the new place.

I suggest moving the fur-kids last, because they won't have both a new
place _and_ noise from installing floors/whatever to deal with. And
they'll still have you for company at the end of the day.

Regardless of whether you take them first or last, put them in a
smallish room at the new place when they first get there, and let them
get used to it before letting them explore the rest of the place.
Remember to let them explore at their own pace. (The first move, mine
didn't come out from under the bed for almost two weeks; the second
move, they were checking stuff out after the third day or so.)

As for the vet visit, we waited about a month before springing _that_ on
them.

Good luck!

-- victoreia