How to move home with your pets

How to move home with your pets

September, 2019

Pets don’t understand moving home in the same way you do, so it can be hard for your furry friend to get accustomed to their new environment. It can be a stressful task for all involved, however there are ways you can make the move much more enjoyable.

Moving with a dog

Before you move, make sure to keep to the same routine as much as possible, even if you are busy with packing. By walking them at the same time of day or going to bed at the same time, they’ll feel a lot more secure than if there’s a lot of changes at once.

On moving day itself, it might be easiest to leave your dog with someone else, as it can be somewhat chaotic to move everything into your new home. It’s best to introduce your dog to the new home when everyone has settled and there isn’t too much going on to overwhelm them. If this isn’t an option, try and set up a room where they can keep away from all of the moving will help them to stay much more calm.

Remember, dogs can pick up on your emotions too. If they sense that you’re stressed, they will feel stressed themselves. Try and keep your stress levels to a minimum, especially regarding your pets themselves – they will settle in, even if they seem anxious now. Bring with you some blankets or cushions that smell like your own home so that they feel like the new home is theirs, as well as rubbing a cloth on their face and then onto furnishings to further spread the scent.

Moving with a cat

Cats can be quite sensitive to a new environment – they tend to be territorial, so moving house can make them feel unsettled. The first thing you need to do is to get them used to the box they’ll be in to travel to the new home; put it out and open in the house a few weeks before so that the cat will have chance to explore it. If you only put them in on the day, they will get agitated and feel constrained.

Like dogs, it’s worth leaving your cat at a cattery while you move, and only bring them in once things are settled. If this isn’t an option, put them in a room away from the action the night before the big move. Make sure to give them some attention too so that they don’t feel disrupted, and like dogs they will be able to sense if you’re stressed.

As cats are territorial, it’s most important to care for them properly after moving. Don’t let them explore the whole home at once; instead, introduce them a room at a time. If your cat is an outdoor cat, resist the urge to let them outside for at least three weeks. It’ll be challenging, but you risk losing your cat if they go out too early as they’ll feel disorientated and might try to go home. Sprinkle some of the used cat litter around your garden to let neighbouring cats know there’s a new cat living here, as well as leaving a familiar smell for your own cat. When you first let them out, do it around food time so that the sound of food shaking will call them back. As cats are more likely to try and find the old home, leave the new owners your details so that they can get in touch if they do.