moving with kitties

Hi all -
i'm a new poster to this forum, as i'm usually lurking all over the Home forum
We're moving from our apartment to a new home next week and i'm really nervous about how to handle the cats. We have 2 kitties who are about 8 years old, and they've lived in our current place for about 5 years so i don't think they remember the last time we moved.
I will keep them closed up in the bathroom of the old apartment until the movers have gone, and then will bring them over to our new place.
Do i put them both in one room with the door closed so they can get used to that room? Do i leave the door open so they can explore?
do i put the litter box/food in there with them even though it won't be where it will be normally?

ahh, really stressing out about this! I don't want them to completely freak out (and pee all over my new carpet either because of nervousness)

thanks for any advice..

Re: moving with kitties

we just moved with 2- they were fine

I put them in the bathroom when the movers were there-

and then when we got to the new place- I put them in to the new bathroom while the movers unpacked

then I gave them the run of the place to explore

they had no issues

Re: moving with kitties

once all the stuff is moved in---let the kitties explore the new place. when they see you in the place putting things away , they will begin checking the place out for themselves. they might hide at times -- but just give them some time...they'll be fine

Re: moving with kitties

Once the movers are gone, let them explore the new place. Put the food and litter box where you will always have them. They may hide for a few days, that is normal.

Re: moving with kitties

we moved from our apt to my dads house for 2 months then into our new house and Tostito was more than fine.

I just let him see where his box was then let him explore

Re: moving with kitties

Thanks all! they're already a bit freaked out from all the packing going on and the boxes around so we're trying to give them some extra attention so their world isn't completely turned upside down.

i know they'll be fine - cats are usually pretty good with stuff like that, its more my own anxiety about it all!

Re: moving with kitties

We moved a few months ago with our 4 kitties. One of our boys is an extremely nervous cat and hadn't moved since he was younger. We kept them in the bedroom for the first few days and let them out slowly only when we were home with them. We have a master bathroom and our bedroom is big so it wasn't so bad for them. Also, since the house is two floors, we new they would be overwhelmed with all that space.

It took them awhile but now they run around like they have been here forever.

Re: moving with kitties

We put ours in the bathroom until the movers were done. Then I let them out and they hid for about 3 days...they were def. traumatized but they got over it when they learned they had a whole house to explore! But it was normal for them to be a little freaked out.