My cat has just given birth to 1 beautiful kitten (the 2nd was stillborn). They are getting along well, and currently living in a box I set up as their nest some weeks ago. However I need to move house within the next week, and need to know if and when it is safe to move the mother and her kitten. My housemates (who are fond of the cat and helped with the birth) can look after them for the next 3 weeks, but after that I would ideally like to move them to my new house. I know that moving house is stressful for cats at the best of times, so how long would it be safe to wait before moving them? I want to avoid putting them through as much stress as possible, and also avoid any chance of the mother rejecting the kitten, but I'm also wondering if it will be equally strange and almost as disorientating for her to live in a room where all the belongings and much of the furniture has been taken away (her nest is in the bedroom I'm moving out of). Also, are there any special considerations that need to be taken into account when moving a mother and her kitten?

I would give your mother at least a week to get used to her new baby. I would take her with you when you move. When you move her make sure she is in a safe cage that she can't escape from. I would buy a cage now, one that has a top and bottom half that you put together. Take it apart and make the bottom into a bed. Make it nice and soft and inviting with blankets. See if mom will eat in the bed. Get her used to it so it is familiar for her. Then after a few days put the top on it and leave the door open. When you feel she accepts it as part of her environment pick up the bedding with the kitten from the old bed and place it in the bottom of the cage. Hopefully she will think it is a wonderful place to keep her baby.

Also buy some Feliway. It is a cat pheromone spray that you can spray lightly in her cage and it will make her feel more at ease. You should also spray it in her new home. You can buy it online and in some holistic pet supply stores and many veterinarians carry it.

When you have transported her and her baby to the new home find a quiet room with familiar furniture, where she can be away from any noise or activity. Keep her in that room with her cat box and food until you feel she knows she is safe.

I would suggest talking to your vet if you have any other concerns.

And please have your cat spayed (and kitten too when she is old enough). There are thousands of cats dying daily in shelters because of the over population problem. Please don't add to the problem. Most towns have low cost spay and neuter clinics.

Good luck with your move.

For all animals,
Molly

Moving her is fine if you do not have a temperamental cat. As to weather she will stay there is anouther story. FOr the most part if you move her to a place that she can feel safe and secure in such as a dark closet etc. far from noise or people she will probably be okay.
Good luck!
Heather