Moving house can be unsettling and stressful for humans.
It can be equally so for our pets.
In this blog, we give practical advice for moving house with pets.
Before moving day
Before you house, you there are a few steps you can take to get pets ready for the upcoming change:
Familiarise them with carriers/crates
Crates (cages with bedding in them) are useful for moving and training pets.
If your pet is used to being in a specific crate, it will be more comfortable during and after moving.
You can train them to have positive associations with the crate in several ways. For example, by placing treats inside them, or clothing with their (and/or your) scent.
Important notes on crates
Ensure the crate you use is well-ventilated and lined with absorbent puppy pads.
Place a ‘Live Animal’ sticker to the carrier so movers are aware. Consider ice packs or cooling pads on longer journeys, and be sure to provide water.
Maintain their routine
You should maintain their usual feeding, walking, and sleeping schedules before moving.
This is easy to neglect when you are busy organising moving.
Plan moving day
Decide where your animals will stay on moving day itself.
This cold be in a comfortable pet-friendly room at home with a close friend nearby. Or it could be at a fully licensed kennels/cattery facility if you need an overnight stay.
Pack their items
You’ll also want to gather all your pet’s essentials, including:
- Water/food bowls
- Beds
- Medication
- Food.
Mark theses boxes.
Inform your moving company
Let your professional removal team know you have pets.
Discuss any special transport requirements for them and their belongings.
For example, some pet containers have vital accessories. Fish and reptile tanks often have special lighting or oxygen tools.
Additionally, warn if you intend to keep pets in secure rooms during loading. Also, raise any needs relating to large tanks or cages.
If you are renting…
If you’re moving to rental property, be sure to check you can bring your pets. Not all landlords allow pets.
If you have a particularly good landlord, you might be able to negotiate this. Otherwise, you may need to cancel your move.
On moving day
Create a comfortable space for your pet in your new home
Before unloading on moving day, make settling your pet an immediate priority.
Set up in a quiet, closed-off room, with familiar items inside, such as:
- Favourite toys
- Bed and blanket
- A scratching post
- Litter trays or puppy pads
- Food and water bowls.
Ensure all windows and doors are shut.
Check for dangers in your new area
Check for any potential hazards outside posed by busy nearby roads, such as:
- Swollen streams or rivers
- Poisonous plants
- Dangerous fauna
- Flimsy fencing or broken gates (through which your pet could escape).
After moving day
Familiarising pets with the new location
The initial settling into new surroundings is pivotal for pets struggling to adapt.
The key is letting them slowly become accustomed to the new sights, smells and sounds..
Keeping apprehensive pets indoors early on allows them to explore on your terms.
Short, frequent supervised garden visits on a lead are helpful.
Early positive associations are also invaluable. Speak gently, deliver praise, and offer treats when interacting.
In time, the unfamiliar morph into the familiar. Positive memories cement the new house as a welcoming haven rather than a scary place.
But be patient – even confident animals often take weeks or months to call a new place home.
Keeping cats early on
When moving into a new area, resist immediately letting cats outside. Many sources recommend keeping them inside for 2 – 3 weeks first.
Gradually expand their access to parts of the property during this period.
Find pet services in the new area
If you have moved far, research and compile a list of trusted local pet services.
First investigate and shortlist nearby vets.
Next, identify potential local pet sitters, groomers, walkers, kennels, etc.
Different places have different levels of pet-friendliness.
Inform the new owners of your old home
Provide your previous property’s new owners with your updated contact details. And be sure to leave a description of your pet, too.
Explain that while unlikely, there’s a chance your shy cat or anxious dog may try to revisit their old home.
