How to move with pets

Pets are part of the family so amongst organising the change of address cards and packing boxes, you’ll want to make sure the move is as stress free as possible for your much-loved pets.

Henry Adams has teamed up with Arun Vets Group to share some helpful advice about moving home with pets:

Before the move

Register with a vet local to your new home and update the microchip details in case your dog slips out to go exploring while you’re busy unpacking.
Organise a tag for their collar with your new contact details so it’s ready for you to put on them come moving day.
Check the new garden is secure and there are no escape routes for your dog to sneak through. If in doubt, simply keep them within a safe area, perhaps indoors, until the fences are secure.
For cats, get out their carrier and leave it in the hallway so your cat gets used to the idea and doesn’t hide just as you need to move out.
Pheromones products, in the form of diffusers or collars, can be calming for both cats and dogs, so start this calming treatment well in advance to prevent stress as your animal wonders what all the packing boxes mean. The relaxing sensation of the product has been proven to help to keep the environment stress free. Your vet will also be able to provide suitable products for your small pets.
If your pet doesn’t travel well, speak to your vet in advance. If the problem is fear and anxiety, treatment is available. Travel sickness medication can be prescribed.

On moving day

If you can, book your dog into kennels and cat into a cattery, ideally for a day or two as you focus on the move. Alternatively ask a friend have your pet for a day which means one less thing to focus on while knowing they’re in good hands.
If that’s not possible, keep your pet at home where it’s not going to be under anyone’s feet or liable to escape just as you’re about to head off to pastures new.
Appoint someone to be responsible for the pets so they always know where they are.
Keep larger family pets in one room with their bedding and toys, close the door and put a note on it so the removal men know not to let them escape. Cats will appreciate this as they get used to their new home too but dogs may prefer being with you.
Keep small pets somewhere quiet and dark, out of the hubbub of boxes.
If you have fish, empty their tank, pouring some of the water into a double later plastic bag in which to transport the fish. Once you arrive, set up the tank in its new position as you did originally.
Give the new home a good clean. Pets are very sensitive to smells so make sure if the previous owners had pets that the area is cleaned. Your pet’s bedding can instantly make the place smell like ‘home’ for them.
Make time for a fuss for your four legged friend, but don’t excite them too much as it’s already quite an upheaval for them. Simply show them that their new home is a safe, calm space for them and for you.
Feed pets at their usual time, but not just before travelling if they get travel sickness, and keep disruption to a minimum by making sure they have a calm and tiring walk.
Just before you settle down in the evening, accompany your pet around the house to explore with them and reassure them.

After the move

Use a pheromone diffuser or collar to help keep your pet less anxious and offer extra reassurance as they settle in.
It will take time for them to establish their new territory so be cautious when taking them out for a walk or even letting them out in the garden.
Be patient if they have an accident or two. Rather than telling them off, reward correct toileting and if necessary, go back to some of the early toilet training methods from when they were young.
Home from home? Dogs are unlikely to head back to their former home once they know they belong in the new home with you. Cats may decide to wander back however, so leave all your details with the buyer of your old property, just in case.
As long as your pet associates your new property with all their comforts of home, they’ll settle in just as quickly as you do.

If in any doubt, or for advice about more unusual pets, please ask your local vet.

http://www.arunvetgroup.co.uk/contact-storrington/
01903 746028

And for all your advice about moving home, simply ask your local branch of Henry Adams.