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Moving house can be a stressful time for everyone – including your pet! If you fail to plan correctly, then keeping your pet comfortable during the moving process, as well as dealing with packing, removalists and organizing your family, can make for a difficult experience.
There are a few things you need to keep in mind before, during and after moving day to make sure that it’s as smooth for your pet as it is for you. Let’s take a look at some tips.
Before moving day
Reassure them during the packing process
When your pet sees you packing up everything in your house into boxes, they’re likely to feel stressed as they’re unsure of what’s happening. Be sure to take the time to reassure them that everything is going to be okay.
Dogs and cats tend to get stressed in unfamiliar environments, which is why they don’t understand why you’re moving the furniture around, putting everything into containers, and as a result, they might dig up your garden. Be sure to give them lots of extra love and attention during this process – this means lots of treats, lots of pats and a nice walk each day.
Make sure their identification is up to date
This is especially important if you’re moving interstate (or even overseas). You need to make sure that your pet has a strong collar with an ID tag on it that’s easy to read, stating your pet’s name, your phone number, and your new address.
This is also a good opportunity to update your pet’s microchip details, to make sure that if they somehow get lost or run away during the removal process, they’ll be tracked back to your new home instead of your old one.
Hire the right removal company
You can also keep your pet comfortable by making sure that you hire a caring, efficient removal company with a good reputation. Removalists that are highly experienced in their fields are likely to cause minimum chaos during the process, keeping the hustle and bustle of moving day as quiet as possible.
The increased level of activity and noise can cause your pet to want to bolt, however, if you hire the right people, they’ll maintain a level of professionalism that will decrease the stress caused to your pet. A good way to determine whether a removal company is appropriate is to check their online reviews or seek word-of-mouth referrals from people who have used them before.
On moving day
Think about pet minding services
On moving day, you can choose to keep your pet around with you (which may be more convenient if they’re going to be traveling with you), or you could check them into a pet minding service for the day.
Did you know that pet owners spend $520 million a year on pet boarding and minding services? And, on top of that, the average dog owner will spend approximately $1,975 on their dogs. If it makes it easier on you (and your pet), there’s no harm in dropping them off for the weekend and then picking them up again to bring them back to their new home.
Keep them safe during transportation
It’s vital that you keep your pet safe during your journey to your new home. They may already be stressed, so you’ll need to give them lots of love and affection to keep them calm. You’ll need to have a pet carrier with you to transport your pet as if you get into an accident while driving and your pet is injured because it wasn’t restrained, you could face up to six months in jail or a $5,500 fine. If you’re moving your pet overseas, make sure you have an airline approved pet carrier.
Make sure you have a crate or carrier that can be secured to the seat, so your pet won’t be thrown forwards if you do have an accident. If you’re wondering how big should a dog crate be, it should be big enough for them to sit, stand and move around a little in. To make them feel more comfortable, you can put some familiar items in there, such as their favorite blanket, toy or some delicious treats.
When you’re getting settled in
Surround your pet with the things they love most
When you arrive at your new house, allow your pet to slowly explore and adjust to their new surroundings. You might be really excited to be at your new house, but it’s important to remember that it’s a totally new place for your pet and they may feel insecure.
Introduce your pet to one or two new rooms at a time, accompanying them and making sure they get used to being happy in their new surroundings. It’s also a good idea to make them feel ‘at home’ in their new home by surrounding them with things they recognize. Put their bed in a similar location to your old home (for example, in the kitchen) and make sure they have access to their regular bowls of food and water, as well as their favorite toys. This will provide them with a feeling of comfort and security.
Explore the neighborhood
Whether you live in an expensive New York City neighborhood or an affordable city like Minneapolis, this one is great for both you and your pet – get out and explore your new home! Once you’ve settled in for a few hours and your pet has had a sniff around the house, relax by taking them for a stroll in the streets around your house.
This will give them a sense of routine, assuring them that not everything has changed and that everything is going to be okay! It’s also a great opportunity for you to discover where the nearest pet-friendly parks, cafes and walking tracks are.
Moving house with a pet doesn’t have to be hard
With a little bit of preparation and making sure you’re always aware of how your pet is feeling, moving house can be a positive experience for both you and your furry friend. Make sure to give them lots of extra love and attention throughout the process, and you’ll both be settled down in no time!
