I don't know if it's normal to feel like this as I've never moved.

I worry that when I move into my new house my 3 cats will get lost or wander off and not come back

Should cats be kept inside for a while when moved into a new house (I have heard this from a few people)?

Or am I just being silly

This might be useful.

http://www.fabcats.org/owners/moving/info.html

I moved house with three cats two years ago, they're all still here, keep them in for a fortnight then bring them outside one at a time for short periods, until they settle, two of mine adjusted really quick and the other one, a more nervous cat took slightly longer, good luck.

Yes and don`t feed them before you let them out

I see some advice is keep them in for two weeks. I have 4 cats and have moved 4 times with them. In new house i kept curtains or blinds open so they could see out. I even let them look out the windows up-stairs. I let them out after 3 days, not 2 weeks. They were fine.They didn't go to far for a day or two. Really for me and my cats two weeks is far to long to keep them in.

I moved my cat in the car which he HATED - never gave a moments thought to what I would do at the other end - showed the cat the new house and let him get on with it - he loved it and despite some unwanted visits through the cat door had a very happy time here.

no need to worry at all moving into a new home will be no different to when you first got your cats once they have adjusted to all the new surroundings and smells they'll be fine,

I'm from a cat loving family and moved several times, the cats settled in quicker to the new home than we did, same with my own cat, no problems moving.

I ignored the advice about keeping the cats in for however long - they were desparate to go out. However I only let them out for short periods to start with, when they were hungry.

I also booked them into a cattery so that the removal men could pack up without upsetting them, and there were no worries about not being able to find them at the vital moment. I collected them after the worst of the unpacking had been done - 2 weeks in a good cattery (that I still use at times) was small beer in among solicitors fees, estate agents fees, removal costs and all the rest.

My cats don't go out so I can't advise on that. But lots of experience on actually moving with cats. What we always do is clear a room as far away from the main moving area (bathroom works well) and put the litter and food in there with the radio on. Big Do Not Disturb sign on the door. Then we try and get to the new house in good time and set up the same there so the cats have a secure area and don't get too stressed.

My cats don't do catteries but if yours are OK with them then that is even better.

We just kept ours indoors for a week or two and first of all just confined them to the bathroom with food and water and a litter tray and a "do not open" note pinned to the door (more for the sake of the removals men and the constant to-ing and fro-ing in and out of the house as they unloaded the van) then we let him out into the bedroom hours later once his fear subsided and he stopped hiding behind the toilet, and then let him explore the rest of the house over the next couple of days and get used to that before even thinking of letting them out. When we first let him out we were really worried he wouldn't come back but we needn't have been.

Thanks for all your replies! Sounds like I don't need to worry too much then? I'll just keep them in for a bit and let them out when they're hungry - sounds like a plan Thanks again

This sounds mad but I walked out cat around on a long piece of washing line attached to his collar so he could get used to the smells around the garden before he was allow out on his own. He came back every time.

My parents did that (but with string) it worked for their cats too. I guess you could also try a harness - but my cat went mental when I put him in a harness, so it's not for everyone.

Good user name btw I'm named after one of my cats, how about you?

When I moved I put the cat in a cattery during the last few days just to avoid any problems and picked him up when I was in my new home. I kept him in for a few days and then gradually introduced him to the back garden.

The first time I held him in my arms and we walked around and then I put him on a retractable dog lead. It meant he could have "free" reign of the back garden but couldn't get too far.

Its amazing how quickly they adjust. I would let him out the front and he end up sitting at the back door waiting to get back in.

cats are easily stressed out by moving and cats dont cope with stress at all there little hearts cant take it

I've moved my two twice - I don't see the point in keeping them in for ages, how are they supposed to get used to their new surroundings locked indoors?!. I gave my two two days to remove themselves from behind the bathroom sink pedestal, and let them out without feeding them. They won't go far whilst they're hungry. You'll be fine :0)