Moving House with Pets: How to Help Your Pets Get Comfortable in New Home
Packing, planning and the unknown can stress us out, humans. Now imagine how confusing it is for your pet who can’t understand the constant change!
Unlike us, who are excited about new adventures, pets can be scared of moving. But the good news is, there are plenty of ways to make them feel comfortable and secure, turning your house move into a smooth journey for the whole family!
A little planning can make a big difference. This guide will help you navigate your change of address with less stress for both you and your furry friend. We’ll cover tips for before, during, and after the big move with pets, ensuring your pet feels safe and loved throughout the transition.
Why Moving With Pets Can Be Tricky
Imagine how your move feels from your pet’s viewpoint. Their current home isn’t just a house; it’s their whole world. Cats who dislike change will be most comfortable in a familiar environment.
Moving house with pets can be stressful. To help them adjust and stay consistent after the move, stick to the same feeding times, grooming schedule, and bedtime routine to make your pet feel more secure in their new home.
Tips for Moving House With Pets
Moving with pets can be hectic, but there are some easy tricks to make the experience smoother for everyone involved, including your furry friends! Here’s how to prepare for a house move.
Create a Pet Haven on Moving Day
Staying calm when moving with pets to the Eastern Suburbs or anywhere in Sydney, is key to keeping your furry friends relaxed.
Set aside a room away from the moving chaos. This will be your pet’s temporary haven during the moving house with pets.
Fill the room with familiar items that will make your pet feel secure. Include their bed, favourite toys, food and water bowls, and a litter box (for cats).
Keep the door closed and hang a sign to alert movers not to enter.
See if a friend or family member can host your pet on a moving day. This can be a great way to eliminate their stress.
Prepare a Cosy Spot for Your Pets Upon Arrival
Just like at your old place, find a quiet, out-of-the-way room in your new home. Set it up with their familiar items—a bed, toys, food and water bowls, and a litter box (if needed). This will help them feel safe and secure during the unpacking chaos.
Check on your pet regularly and offer some love and reassurance. Moving can be stressful for them, too, so a little pampering goes a long way.
Keep Their Routine as Consistent
Similar to keeping a child’s routine during a move with pets, they also benefit from consistency. Sticking to their usual walk and feeding times as much as possible minimises disruption and helps them feel secure in their new environment.
Explore the New Area Before Moving Day
For nearby moves, give your pup a sneak peek! If your new home isn’t too far away, consider taking your dog for walks in the area beforehand. This helps them get used to their new sniffing spots and future walking routes.
Once settled in, ensure your fences and gates are secure before letting your dog explore the backyard. This will ensure their safety and prevent any unexpected escapes.
Give Your Kitty a Slow Introduction to the Outdoors
Unlike dogs, cats are more stressed by moving. To give them time to adjust, keep them indoors for a week or so after the move with pets.
Let your cat explore your new home room by room, keeping a watchful eye. Anxious kitties might find hiding spots – be sure they don’t get stuck!
Maintain your cat’s usual feeding schedule. Familiar mealtimes offer comfort and a sense of normalcy.
Once you let your cat outside, do so on an empty stomach. This encourages them to return home for their next meal and gradually gets them used to their new surroundings.
Give Your Old Neighbours a Heads-up
Cats are notorious for trying to revisit their old stomping grounds. If you’re moving nearby, tell your old neighbours to watch for your feline friend. Advise them to avoid feeding or petting them! This can confuse your cat and make them more likely to return.
No matter the distance, microchipping and tagging your cat (and dog) is always a smart move. It’s a fail-safe way to ensure a happy reunion if your furry explorer ever gets lost.
Inform Your Removal Company in Advance if You Have Pets Being Transported
Be upfront with your movers if you’re moving exotic critters like fish, reptiles, or amphibians. Unlike those mentioned earlier, hiding your scaly or slimy friends won’t help.
Many moving companies have experience transporting unusual pets. They might need special equipment or have packing recommendations to protect your precious creatures. Don’t be shy – ask if they have any suggestions for transporting your exotic crew!
Before Moving House with Pets
Keep Your Routine the Same
Packing can be chaotic but try to keep your pet’s routine as normal as possible. They thrive on predictability, knowing when to expect walks, meals, playtime, and cuddle time. This sense of normalcy keeps them safe and secure during the moving hustle.
Consult a Vet
If your pet gets stressed on the road, consult your vet beforehand. The solution depends on the cause – fear of the car requires different strategies than motion sickness (sometimes it’s both!).
They can advise making car rides more comfortable for your pet and prescribe anti-nausea medication if needed.
If you’re moving abroad, get your vet’s help with any travel documents your pet might need. Don’t wait until the last minute – this process can take months for some countries.
Establish Care With a Local Vet Clinic
Before moving or settling into your new place, prioritise registering your pet with a local veterinarian. This unfamiliar environment might have more open doors and new people, increasing the risk of accidents. Having a vet you know close by, provides peace of mind and ensures your pup gets quick care if needed.
Update Your Pet’s Microchip Information
A new environment is stressful for your pet, and open doors during unpacking create escape opportunities. To prevent an adventure (and a frantic search!), take action a day or two before the move with your pets:
- Double-check your pet’s microchip: Ensure it has your new address and up-to-date contact information.
- Update your pet’s ID tag: Get a new tag with your current details so you can be easily contacted if your pet gets lost.
- Keep an eye on those exits: With the hustle and bustle, be mindful of open doors and potential escapes.
Give Your New Home a Good Cleaning
You’ll probably clean your new place anyway, but with pets, consider their super-powered sense of smell. Dogs and cats rely heavily on scent to navigate their world.
Ideally, clean the house before your pet arrives. This means wiping down areas they might sniff, like baseboards and furniture legs.
Removing lingering scents from previous occupants helps your pet feel comfortable and secure faster. They’ll see your new place as their territory without any confusing “scentsational competition.”
Do a Safety Check of Your New Garden
Before moving and letting your pet explore your new yard, quickly check for potential escapes: holes in fences, weak points, or open gates. Look out for poisonous plants, too!
Ideally, fix any escape routes or remove harmful plants beforehand.
If time is tight, keep your pet safely confined within the house until the yard is secure. This could be a designated room or a playpen.
On Moving Day with Pets
Having Your Pet Stay With Someone
Consider finding a familiar friend to host your pet while you pack and unpack, if possible. This minimises their exposure to the moving chaos.
When everyone’s settled in the new place, bring your pet in during the evening. This quieter time sets a relaxed tone.
Remember, your pet picks up on your cues. A calm and positive attitude assures them that the new place is safe.
Create a Designated Space
If friends, family, or kennels aren’t an option, create a cosy haven for your pet at home. Choose a quiet room away from the moving action.
Fill the room with familiar items like their bed, toys, food and water bowls, and a litter box (for cats). This familiar space reduces their stress and keeps them safe.
Leave your pet’s belongings unpacked until the last minute. This way, they won’t feel like their things are disappearing, creating unnecessary anxiety.
Keep Your Pet’s Routine
Try to keep your pet’s routine somewhat normal. They should be fed their usual food at their regular mealtime if possible. A walk around the block at their usual time would be a big bonus, too. This familiarity helps your pup feel secure amidst the moving madness.
Provide a Sense of Security
While worrying about them during the move with pets is natural, avoid showering them with excessive fuss. They can sense your anxiety, which will only make them more stressed.
Try to maintain a normal demeanour. Your pet thrives on your calmness, and it reassures them that everything is okay, even amidst the moving chaos.
Prep for a Smooth Ride
- Medicate for motion sickness: If your vet prescribed anti-nausea meds for your pet, give them well before travel to allow them to take effect.
- Feed strategically: It’s best to travel with an empty stomach, so feed your pet a few hours before departure.
- Safety first, always: Never let your pet roam freely in the car, even if it means rearranging boxes. Use a secure pet harness to keep them safe. Unrestrained pets are a danger during sudden stops and accidents.
- Take rest breaks: Break up long journeys with frequent stops. This allows your pet to potty, get water, and stretch their legs.
- Beware the heat: Never leave your pet unattended in a parked car, even in the shade. Cars and vans can heat up quickly, posing a serious health risk.
Unpack Their Belongings First
When you arrive at your new place, unpack your pet’s essentials—bed, food, water bowl, and toys. Ideally, do this before your pet even enters the house for the first time. Familiar sights and smells will instantly comfort your furry friend and help them adjust to their new surroundings.
Introductory Walk-Through
Once your new place is secure (fenced yard, no escape routes), let your pet explore at their own pace. Being with them can be comforting, especially for shy pups who need your reassurance.
If your house isn’t fully secure yet (think unfenced yards), keep your pet on a leash for their safety. A long house line gives them some freedom to sniff around while keeping you in control.
After Moving House with Pets
Be Patient With Mistakes
Moving house with pets can be overwhelming, and even a well-trained pet might have a toilet accident. Be patient and understanding – your pet is adjusting to a new routine and environment.
Don’t punish your pet for accidents. Instead, calmly guide them to the designated potty spot in your new home.
Praise and reward your pet when they use the bathroom correctly. This reinforces good behaviour and helps them learn the new routine quickly.
If needed, brush up on your potty training skills. Use techniques that worked well in the past to get your pet back on track.
Moving House with a Pet: How to Make Your Pet’s New Place Feel Like Home
While pets are less likely than cats to try and revisit their old stomping grounds, it can still happen, especially for short moves. Here’s how to make your pet’s new place feel like home:
- Be a good neighbour: Leave your contact information with the new residents of your old house. If your pet shows up there, they can easily reach you for a happy reunion.
- Make new memories: Create positive associations with your new home. Schedule grooming sessions, playtime, and mealtimes here. These happy experiences will help your pet bond with their new surroundings.
- Routine is key: Establish a consistent routine for your pet as soon as possible. Regular walks, meals, and playtime provide security and predictability, helping them adjust faster and forget about the old place.
Moving House with Pets: A Guide to Moving Pets Interstate or Long Distance
Taking your beloved pet on a long-distance adventure? Given that you’ve finished packing for interstate move, this guide will ensure their comfort and safety throughout the entire journey.
- Crate training is key: Especially for long hauls, ensure your pets are comfortable and accustomed to their travel crates well before moving day.
- Identification is crucial: Ensure your pets wear collars with up-to-date rabies tags and ID tags with your new address and phone number.
- Safe travels for feline friends: During travel, keep your cat securely in their carrier to prevent escapes.
- Doggone safe travel: For car trips, use a crash-tested harness, travel crate, or carrier to keep your dog safe in case of accidents and prevent them from roaming the vehicle.
- Plan your pet-friendly pit stops: If driving, research pet-friendly hotels for rest breaks.
- Air travel for pets? Book ahead! For air travel, reserve pet tickets well in advance and inquire about specific airline pet requirements. Pack a copy of your pet’s veterinary records for potential check-in requests.
- Find your new pet posse: Research and secure new pet service providers in your new location, including a veterinarian, groomer, pet sitter, and others you might need. This ensures a smooth transition for your furry companions.
Need a Pet-Friendly Moving Company?
Moving house with pets? Don’t worry, Sydney Moving can help! We understand the challenges of moving with pets, and our experienced team can advise you on best practices for a smooth moving day.
We’ll handle your entire move, from packing to local and interstate transport, ensuring a stress-free experience for your family, including your four-legged companions.
Our friendly team will take care of everything so you can focus on what matters most—your pets and your new home!
Ready to get a free quote or want some expert advice on moving with pets? Contact Sydney Moving today!
