Help with the move, please.

[Nebaug]

I need your help, fellow members!! Please advise.
Short story shortened , unexpectedly we purchased a house that we plan to turn into our primary residence . The previous owners currently in the house have a dog couple of cats and couple of bunnies. House is pretty well kept without any noticeable air fresheners purifiers and house has no noticeable pet odors. Hardwood floors all around in great shape. Previously, I moved with the dogs never with the cats, so I’m not quite sure how to handle this.
I intend to paint whole house before move and of course will be cleaned. I’m worried that my cats will move in and smell the previous animals and that we may have major problem. They again will have their own room with all of their furniture ,litter boxes ,toys and their rug moved in before they are moved in. My fear is that once they start explore rest of the house that they will smell and …… spray?!?
Am I crazy for entertaining the idea to hire cleaning company that cleans crime scenes and after some other gruesome stuff …… tell me that I’m crazy !?!?……or not. ? I would welcome any knowledge and suggestions to make this as painless as possible for them not only that I need advice for preparing a house for them but also what to do once once we are there. I will have all the furniture moved from the old house and will be buying new(if i see fit) at least 6 months down the road in order to transfer as much familiar scent as I can.
Please, please advise.

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi
Getting new furniture and painting (there's a primer that supposedly covers odors such as cigarettes, and get low or no VOC paint) will help. If you can, get a black light to check since it will show urine and I think vomit but don't let what you see concern you too much, just see if you can safely clean the floors with an enzymatic cleaner, that will also help.

SuperPaint Interior Acrylic with Air Purifying Technology | SherwinWilliams

The Best Low-VOC Paints of 2022

How To Move With Your Cat To A New Home In A Safe Way – TheCatSite Articles

 

[FeebysOwner]

I would also 'collect' towels/blankets with your cats' scent on them to place around the house once you are ready to expose them to something other than their safe zone. If your dogs are going to be allowed to roam before the cats do, their scent in other areas of the house should help too. If the cats and dogs get along, make sure they 'visit' with each other even if you are temporarily confining the cats to a single room at first. Also, maybe these TCS articles will help? The latter applies to adult cats and houses too - despite the title.
How To Move With Your Cat To A New Home In A Safe Way – TheCatSite Articles
9 Tips That Will Help Your Kitten Adapt To A New Apartment or House – TheCatSite Articles

 

[Nebaug]

I would also 'collect' towels/blankets with your cats' scent on them to place around the house once you are ready to expose them to something other than their safe zone. If your dogs are going to be allowed to roam before the cats do, their scent in other areas of the house should help too. If the cats and dogs get along, make sure they 'visit' with each other even if you are temporarily confining the cats to a single room at first. Also, maybe these TCS articles will help? The latter applies to adult cats and houses too - despite the title.
How To Move With Your Cat To A New Home In A Safe Way – TheCatSite Articles
9 Tips That Will Help Your Kitten Adapt To A New Apartment or House – TheCatSite Articles

Thank you for reply, no dogs involved. Only animals on the move are cats. Plan is to add new (outdoor) animals in spring of 24 wh will give me enough time to prepare. My only concern are kitties and I’m hoping that I’m overthinking this move but I would rather be overkill then ……unprepared.

 

[Furballsmom]

My only concern are kitties and I’m hoping that I’m overthinking this move but I would rather be overkill then

Lol, you probably are from a humans perspective but your cats will appreciate it all, even as they're (hopefully) blissfully unaware except for a change of venue

 

[Alldara]

In all my many moves, I've never had a cat spray afterwards

You should do what makes you most comfortable regarding a cleaning company. Your stress being lowered will help keep your cats's stress lowered.

Keep extra watch for any escape antics once packing begins, until at least a month after moving. Some cats will run away during these times. The packing is upsetting. And later some try to go back to the old home. I unfortunately lost my first cat this way (I was 10). My Gramma did not know this was a phenomenon or we would have kept him inside. Neighbours watched for him but he never came back.