Moving house with pets
Advice to help make moving home a little easier if you have pets that you need to look after. If you're moving interstate or just a few streets away, there are suggestions here on how to make this transition easier for your pets.
Preparation before the move [h2]
The suggestions here are quite comprehensive. Given the number of things you've got on your to do list, it might not be possible to get around to all of them. However, whatever you can do is sure to be beneficial. At Powershop, the thing that we can help with is to make sure you've got power (and gas) for the new place so that Summer or Winter you and your pet will be comfortable when settling in at your new address. You can compare plans for your new address to see what's available. Let's see what other things can help smooth the moving process for pets.
You might have already noticed that your pets are able to pick up on your mood. If you're stressed, they can get stressed too, so if you're able to radiate a bit of calm that can be helpful. If they have routines like getting walked or fed at particular times, try and keep to these as best you can. Keeping things as 'normal' as possible from your pet's perspective gives them less to stress about.
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.