How to Prepare Your Pet for Moving House
They say moving house is one of the most stressful things you can go through. But take a moment to imagine what it must be like for our pets: they don’t understand why their home is changing and why all their things are being moved. A relocation for them can lead to great anxiety. They can go missing trying to find their familiar home or behave badly due to the strain of the move.
The good news is that there are things that pet owners can do to ease the transition of their pets into their new home.
Keep things familiar
As much as possible, maintain your pets’ routines in the lead up to your move. This includes feeding times, walks, and where their things are located (bed, water bowl, litter tray, etc). Importantly, keep caring and playing with your pet like you usually would, so they feel like they’re still important despite all the extra activity.
Health check
Ensure you pay a visit to your vet a few weeks before moving. Obtain copies of your pets’ medical history, vaccination records and desexing certificate. It’s also worth locating your local vet at your new location. You’ll want to have this information handy if you need it in a hurry after your move.
Safety during the move
Moving day means open doors, strangers, and a startling amount of activity. If your pet will be at home during the move, it’s a good idea to keep them in a designated, secure, quiet room so they cannot escape or get into trouble. Place your pet’s familiar unwashed bed and toys in there too for added comfort. If possible, you can also place your pet with a friend or family member they know well during moving day. This way they avoid the chaos altogether!
Familiar smells
That comforting smell of home can have a powerful calming effect on our pets. Make packing their toys, bedding and other possessions one of the last things you do as part of your move. At your new home, leave off washing their bedding for a few weeks after the move to keep those familiar smells around during the transition period.
Travel Checklist
Make sure you have the following before the move:
Veterinary records, certificates, and recent photos,
Your pets usual foods and plenty of water from the home you’re leaving (changing the water source can be disorienting and upset their stomachs),
Food and water bowls, a can opener and re-sealable lids,
Toys, chew bones and treats,
Leashes (both cats and dogs),
Beds (pillows, towels or other crate liners),
Plastic bags and scoops for dogs,
Litterbox for cats,
Cage covers for birds and rodents,
Paper towels for messes, and
Provisions for the first day at the new home.
If your pet will be travelling a long way as part of your move, prevent travel sickness by not feeding them for 12 hours before the journey. If you know your pet suffers from travel sickness, ask your vet about anti-sickness medications.
Things to Remember During the Move
- Put new identification tags on
- Make sure that your pet is safely secured in the car or vehicle that they are to be transported in to the new house
- If it is a long journey, make sure that they get regular toilet and water breaks. Remember the temperature in a parked car can rise rapidly and your pets might die from the heat!
If you’d like more tips to help your pet settle into their new home, check our blog post to help your pet feel at home sooner.
Brisbane’s Friendly Movers: Here for You and Your Pet
At Optimove, we understand that no two moves are the same, and not two pets are the same. We are happy to advise you on moving options for your pets – they’re part of the family too!
Contact the friendly Brisbane furniture removalists team at Optimove to discuss all the details of your upcoming move – call 07 3905 3223 or get in touch online.
