Moving house with pets

Even the most relaxed individuals tend to find moving house will cause them stress. While you might be trying to remember things, forgetting things, creating lists and buzzing about, if you've got pets there is a good chance they're getting anxious too. They see that you are a bit frazzled, and boxes out everywhere and can start to worry too.

Anything you can do to take the edge off for your pets can help to make things a smoother move.

On this page

• Preparation before the move

• On moving day

• Settling in at your new place

If you're leaving a property and inspections are going on, or you're filling up a lot of boxes in preparation for the move, try not to lose it while your pets are around. This may be easier said than done, and even though it may seem silly, you swearing at the furniture can make your dog sad or agitated.

Looking at the upside of moving, with new places to see and visit, you can do a little research on the suburb you are moving to. If you're moving within easy driving distance you can even take your pet to the area for a walk or look around to get familiar with the smell of the new neighbourhood. This can make it easier for them to adjust.

Your dog or cat might not be used to travelling in a carrier, and you might need one when it comes to moving day. If you will be using a carrier, having it out in plain sight with the door open will mean they get a chance to inspect it and are a little forewarned. This might help to take the edge off if they're reluctant or scared from previous trips to the vet.

For particularly anxious pets, talk to your vet as there are some products they may recommend that can be useful to help calm dogs and cats with anxiety.

Checklist to research and prepare before moving day.

Some things to find out:

• if you'll be changing vet, find a recommended vet near your new place

• for dog owners, research any good spots to walk your dog or dog parks in the new area
  

Some things to pack and prepare:

• for cat owners you'll need their litter box

• vet records and your pet's medical history and vaccination history

• food bowls

• favourite treats and favourite toys (don't let these get lost in the move)

• leads

• any pet medications

• pet towels and blankets.
  

It can also be handy to have one bag of essentials for the day of the move and arrival ready to go, maybe bundled with favourite toy, some snacks and a portable pet friendly water container.

The day of the move

Moving day is likely to have a lot going on. You need to have a plan in place for what your pet or pets will be doing that day. You might be thinking to have them travel with you as you move, but if you're interacting with removalists and other new faces are around your pet could get agitated. It may help to use a pet boarding service for the day, or you could find a pet sitter online.

Having your pet out of the way for the move may make your life easier and mean that they don't get distressed by seeing all the changes happening in real time. Using a pet sitter, or pet boarding means you can introduce your pet to your new home when some of the dust has settled and everything has moved across. If you're doing a big move, and travelling by car, make sure you plan toilet breaks for your pet too.

Moving day checklist

• packed bag of moving day pet essentials

• pet secured for save travel if they're staying with you for the day

• pet delivered to pet sitter or boarding service if you're using one

• favourite toys / security blanket to make them more comfortable.

Settling in to your new place

It's great to get your pet into the new home, but once you're there, you still have a bunch to do to make sure the transition is a smooth as possible. There are a lot of new smells and things going on at your new address that can be both exciting and a bit disorienting for pets. You want them to be comfortable as well as safe and secure and these things will help with that.

Check the perimeter

If you have a yard in your new place that your dog can run around in, make sure it is secure. Can they get over or under the fence? A dachshund is unlikely to be jumping over high fences, but might be able to go under them. It's likely best to keep them on lead when you first explore outside and you can let them go off-lead once you make any needed adjustments so they can't leave the yard.

Update their address

Dogs and cats should be microchipped. In the event that your pet does escape a microchip can help you to get reunited. In case you didn't know, other pets can be microchipped too, including reptiles, rabbits and guinea pigs. Having your pet's address updated in the register will make it easier to get them back in case they do go missing.

Home and routine

It will take a while, but establishing new routines in your new home will help your pet to settle. Your morning coffee and morning walk in the new place will help consolidate things and give your pet a sense of familiarity. As the new routine starts becoming familiar, you can also help by setting up "their spot" with their bed, any toys and things that comfort them. All the familiar smells of their bedding help to take some of the edge off the changes.

Remember to talk to your vet if you have particular concerns for your animal. There are most likely going to be some hiccups as both moving house and animal behaviour tend to be unpredictable. Putting some of these tips into action should help to make things easier, and help for you and your pet to settle in and enjoy your new home.