Hiya

I am due to come to the Netherlands with my 2 cats in about 8 weeks. They are both almost 3 one male and one female and both are neutered. They have passports and their innoculations are up to date.

My question is purely in and around the actual relocating. We have never moved house (let alone country)with cats so I was after advice really.

The male can be a right scaredy cat and is quite unsettled around unfamiliar voices. The female doesn't give a damn about anything. They are both very much outdoor cats.

How can I make the move as stress free as possible for them? Escpecially when it comes to keeping them in for 4 weeks as suggested by the vet!

Thanks

Well, the cats may be nervous after the trip, but like your vet says they do need to stay in for usually 2-3 weeks simply to get used to their new home(new territory) . You can usually tell if they feel comfortable judging by their behaviour.

Your scaredy cat will probably want to stay in and may even hide under the bed for a few days.

Just keep their feeding routine and strokes as normal as possible, they will feel safer simply by being with you.

I came here with one cat and now have 2. She could be let out anywhere and would always come straight home, but my second cat who is actually braver than the first cat I'd definately keep inside. The braver they are the more likely they are to go out and get lost

If I relocate I would keep both of them in for 2 weeks minimum simply to get used to the new home.

I hate litter trays though and so do my cats, but it just has to be done .......

I relocated here with my 3 male cats, 2 of which were newly 3 and one was 2 1/2. They flew in the airplane from LA to AMS after a couple hour car ride to LAX then an hour in the car once in NL. They had never moved before and only ridden in the car for the infrequent vet appointment. They did great.

My first suggestion is to make sure they have something familiar with them, like a favorite toy or blanket type thing, and a shirt you have worn that has your smell on it, that was easiest for me because I had old shirts I wasn't bringing. Upon arrival we just set the carriers on the floor and let them come out on their own, which they all did and smelled a lot then ran behind the couch. There is a table at the end and they stayed there. I had brought their favorite cat bed, they would all sleep in, and put it in the place under the table where it still is 2 1/2 years later. We are fortunate to live high and have a protected little patio so they could wander out but they didn't even have interest in that the first few days, too busy smelling their new territory and finding places to hide. I would say the only problem I had or have is with the youngest one who was always a "Mama's Boy" and slow to warm to other people. He is still skiddish with my Dutchie, did better with him when he visited us in our home in the US.

Not sure how different the food is here from where you're coming from but it is different from what I was giving them in the US, but I also recommend bringing food they're used to for a week, if possible, to try to keep some things consistent for them. My cats actually like the food here better so it ended up being no problem, but they do miss their cat treats, Whisker Lickins--a bigger variety of the treats they have here--they prefer bigger chunked dry food, which I try to keep in supply here.

Good wishes for comfortable travels and a smooth adjustment.

Apologies for the late post but I thought I'd update you. We have been here for 2 months now and so far so good.

We travelled by car to Harwich, from there to the Hoek and then onto Vught in noord Brabant. Paco (the boy cat) didn't travel well and cried all the way. this was pretty much expected though. Rafa (the girl) found it all intrigueing (sp) and and sailed (no pun intended)through the journey.

Once we got here we settled them into the smallest bedroom and left them for a while on there own with food, water and litter trays.

The house was in serious dissaray. For 4 solid weeks it was full of workmen, machines and noise. I was really worried about the cats and the effect this would have on them. I was also keen that the majority of work was carried out before they were let out, so they were more inclined to come back.

Now 2 months in and they happily patrol the garden and come and go as if they have always been here.

I think I was probably more stressed than them but I really couldn't have hoped for better. Thanks for all the advice given. Much appreciated.