Ideally, the best case scenario for you and your pet would be to find someone – a friend or a family member – to look after the pet and keep it away on your moving day. But we don’t live in an ideal world and that probably won’t be the case for you on your moving day. So what can you do to make the moving house with a pet easier?
We’ll talk here about dogs and cats because they are the ones who can have trouble with moving to another home. Read on and check out some tips about moving home with a pet…
Tips for moving house with a dog
- Leave packing the dog’s bed and toys to the last minute. Let them feel at home until the last moment.
- When hiring professional movers, it would be best to keep the dog in a room where the movers won’t go. It’s to protect the dog and the movers. There could be someone who is allergic to dogs or deadly afraid of them.
- If you’ll be traveling a long time to get to the new property, don’t forget to secure your dog in the car and stop regularly for bathroom breaks and feeding time. For overseas relocation, it’s important to talk to the vet and get advice about taking your dog to another country.
- Make a new collar for your dog with the new address, in case your pet gets lost.
- Research vets and dog parks near your new house so you can be prepared.
- Do not be quick to wash your dog’s bed. Leave it as it is for a couple of day at least in the new house, so the dog can sense a familiar smell.
- Try to maintain its normal routine as much as possible.
- If there’s a garden at your new property, check if there are holes or places your dog can easily escape from before letting it play freely.
- Take the dog for a walk around the neighbourhood to meet the neighbours (especially the canine kind) so it gets to know them.
- And most importantly, be patient with your dog. It will get used to the new house but you will have to help it.
Some dogs get used to new places rather quickly, but unfortunately that isn’t always the case. Sometimes, often youngsters or very old dogs can have trouble getting used to the change. They may exhibit the following symptoms: lower activity levels, trembling, tucking its tail, hiding. If you notice any of the signs, call the vet.
Tips for moving house with a cat
Cats are a little bit easier to handle in such situations. Most cats love their routine, which when they get older is mostly sleeping and eating; and most of them don’t mind changing homes.
Some, however, can dislike the change and feel uneasy at a new home at first.
- Make sure the cat is put away in a room where movers won’t go on your moving day.
- Buy a cat travel bag in advance to limit the chaos it can cause while on the road.
- Stop regularly for bathroom breaks for the cat. Carry it in on a leash or in the travel bag, it might get scared and run away otherwise.
- Just as with dogs, if your cat has a bed – don’t wash it for a couple of days after moving in.
- Find a new vet if your current one will end up being too far away.
- Introduce the cat to the new house and be patient. Chances are it will walk around and sniff for a little while and find a place it likes and fall asleep. But if it starts acting differently or weird, call the vet.
Takeaway
Cats and dogs have feelings too. If they feel nervous and show unusual behaviour, do not wait too long to call a vet. Moving is stressful for them just like it is for you. Be understanding and supportive. Keep things as normal to them as possible and they should get used to the new place.