Moving tips: Moving house with pets

Moving home is a stressful time. Thankfully, we’ll usually have weeks or months to prepare. But, spare a though for your beloved pets who crave routine and thrive in stable environments. Although they’ll sense that something is amiss, they’ll have no idea their world is about to be upended. So, once a decision has been made to move, and a new property found, you should involve your furry friends in the process. Here are some tips to help ease the angst.

Before moving

When you start cleaning and clearing rooms, leave the pets’ quarters until last. This will provide them with a safe refuge and some normality amid the chaos of packing boxes, moving and dismantling furniture, and will reduce the severity and duration of their anxiety.

If your pets are accustomed to travelling in a car, take them along to any property inspections – restrained, of course. This way they can take in the sights, sounds and smells of their new environment so when your move day arrives, the initial shock will be lessened.

Alternatively, consider taking along some old bedding to leave behind until you take up residence. There’s nothing as familiar, comforting or welcoming to a pet as its own scent. Toys, litter trays, scratching pads, dog beds and kennels are also well suited.

Lastly, when inspecting new properties, don’t forget to be on the lookout for potential hazards – busy roads, roaming neighbourhood dogs, inadequate fencing etc.

Move day

Consider having your pets minded. Animals are not only adept at detecting changes in their environment, but they’re also very good at sensing changes in your mood. So, if you’re anxious – they’ll be anxious. And they’ll respond in either of the following two ways:

1. They’ll stay close to you in which case they’re likely to get underfoot and trip you down the stairs as you’re cradling your fragile keepsakes; or
2. They’ll make themselves scarce – usually escaping through a door left open by your removalists to allow easy access. Consider the inconvenience and cost of scouting around your former neighbourhood searching for your wayward pooch or pussy when deadlines are tight or you’re paying by the hour.

At your new home

Dogs

Familiar toys and familiar routines will make for a smooth transition between homes. This applies to walks, mealtime, playtime and sleep time. It’s advisable to get them out walking as early as possible so they can become acquainted with their new neighbourhood. And don’t forget to update ID tags, microchip and council registration info as soon as possible.

To create positive associations with your new home, consider introducing some new toys and treats and hide them around your house and yard to be discovered in the days and weeks that follow.

Cats

To avoid your cats becoming disoriented and lost, popular advice is to keep them indoors for several days up to a few weeks. During this time allow them to roam freely indoors and leave curtains and window coverings pulled back so they can familiarise themselves with the backyard and the landscape beyond your fenceline.

As an early introduction to the outdoors, consider walking your cat around the perimeter on a leash. It may be a new experience for the both of you, but it does serve a useful purpose.

If and when you decide the time is right to let your cat loose, allow them to wander outside at their own pace by leaving a door or window open. Don’t push them out. If you’re concerned they’ll become lost, consider releasing them close to meal times. They’ll be less likely to wander too far away and will return when they’re hungry.

A bell around your feline friend’s neck may also provide some comfort to you knowing they’re close by, or will assist you to find them should they go roaming.

Butter on the paws – yes or no?

There is some discussion online related to buttering pussy’s paws on the first few occasions they venture out to assist your cat to track its own movements and trace its way back home. Unfortunately there’s no solid evidence that this works. In fact, a more likely outcome is that your cat will ingest a lot of greasy butter trying to clean itself, which may exacerbate existing bowel problems, which are common due to anxiety.

Final word

If all else fails, or you’d value a second opinion, your veterinary clinic will be able to assist you with advice and/or appropriate medications to make your move with pets a stress-free experience.

Recommended reading:

• https://www.advantagepetcare.com.au/en/pet-health/moving-house-with-cats-and-dogs/
• https://www.petbarn.com.au/petspot/petcare/tips-moving-house-dog-cat/
• http://www.pethealth.com.au/Page/moving-house-with-pets
• https://www.mypetwarehouse.com.au/my-pet-blog/pet-care/cat/moving-house-with-a-cat