Moving Home With Pets: How To Make It Easier

Moving house can be a very stressful task, not just for you but for your pets as well. The frantic running around, people coming in and out of the house, you can imagine how on edge this might make your pets feel.

In this guide, we’ve gone through some moving tips to help make the transition between homes a little smoother for your pets.

Prepare Your Pet For Moving

It’s moving day. You’re stressed. The dog’s stressed.

Let’s sort this out.

When it comes to moving day, it is essential that you prepare your pets for the big move. First, you must make sure that your cat or dog is micro chipped and their tag has all of your up to date information on it. By doing this, it makes it easier to track down your animal in the case that they go missing and it is a legal requirement for all dogs to have this procedure.

On the day itself, you should leave your animal in a dedicated room away from the hassle, and put a sign up so they are not disturbed. You should pack away their toys and bedding last as well so they are comfortable for the majority of the day.

If you are moving with a dog, it might be best to have someone assigned to looking after them all day. If you have an animal that will become frustrated or anxious by this, then consider a cattery/kennel or asking friends or family to look after them for a couple of days.

Travelling With Your Pet

Travelling with pets can be tricky at the best of times, so throwing in the fact that you’re moving location can make your pet really uncomfortable.

For cats, it’s a good idea to leave the cat carrier on the floor and let them come to it. If they feel comfortable enough to get in, they should be okay to transport. A trick is to add some treats into the carrier to give them some incentive.

These carriers should be strapped into the car. Dog wise, using a crate in the car is the best idea. Crates don’t just keep your dog safe; they fold down and are easily movable, making them very convenient.

When driving, make sure the car is at a good temperature and not too hot, especially if travelling for a long duration. Make sure to have frequent stops to let your dog drink some water and keep hydrated and have toilet breaks. Keep the windows down and NEVER leave your pet in a hot car.

Always make sure when getting your dog out of the car that it is on it’s lead. If it’s not, your dog could potentially run into traffic and injure itself.

If you are travelling with fish, here are a few tips. NEVER try and move with the fish in their tank. This is a recipe for disaster and will only end bad. Fish should be moved in durable polythene bags half filled with tank water. Anything needed to transport fish can be found at your standard pet shop.

Make sure any electrical equipment in your tank is turned off well in advance and wrap up the tank in lots of layers of bubble wrap as they are more prone to shattering. It’s best to not have the fish out of their tank for too long so the quicker you can get your tank set up in your new home, the better.

Helping Your Pet Settle In To Your New Home

Now you’ve arrived at your new home, it’s exciting and new, but don’t forget about your pet.

You should choose a room that you will keep your pet in for a couple of days whilst you get settled in. This will start to get your pet used to your new house and keeps them out of the way and from being stressed by all the unpacking.

Putting up a sign on the door will let people know not to disturb them. It’s also an idea not to wash your pet’s bedding for a few weeks just so they have a familiar smell to keep for a while.

After a couple of days, you should slowly start giving your pet more access to the house, moving their water and feeding bowls to a regular place and getting them more comfortable with the inside of their new home.

Preventing Your Pet From Returning Home

This is a big concern for anyone moving home.

We’ll all been there.

You’re already probably wondering about whether or not your pet will run away at the first chance. If you treat this with caution and settle your pet in properly, this shouldn’t be an issue.

For dogs, it is a good idea to take them for a walk as soon as you get to your new home. This will get your dog familiar with its surroundings and by taking them for a walk; you’re stopping them from being stressed about the move.

You should also consider unpacking essential house items first so the dog has something Trait’s used to in the house by the time it enters.

It’s a bit different when it comes to cats. Firstly, it is recommended to keep your cat inside your new home for around 2 weeks. This may sound like a long time, but this is the amount of time required to really get your cat settled in.

After 2 weeks, start introducing your cat to the outside. Choose a day when you are likely to be home all day so you can keep an eye on them.

When you are letting your cat out, keep the door open so they can come in and out freely and don’t pick them up and place them outside, let them do it for themselves. Another idea is to spread some of their used litter in your garden to establish your cat’s territory.