Moving house with pets
Moving can be a stressful event for humans, but pets tend to become very stressed when it comes to moving day.
- Ideally, have your pet stay with a friend or relative during the removals process. If you can't, consider booking them into a kennel or cattery for the night. A last resort is to close them into a quiet room with the windows shut, and mark the door clearly with signs indicating pets are inside, do not open.
- Have a tag made with your new contact information to be put on their collar on moving day. Also make sure to update your details on their microchip information.
- Pack your pet's toys, bedding and other equipment at the last moment so that they are comforted by the presence of familiar things. Also, don't wash pet bedding until a couple of weeks after the move, so that they will have something familiar smelling in the new house.
- Some people have had success with DAP for dogs and Feliway for cats, which are intended to reduce the stress hormones in your animals. Talk to your vet about these options.
- Cats should always be transported in a safe container to ensure they don't escape and get lost either at your old home or your new home.
- If your cat goes outside, keep them indoors for two to three weeks in your new home, to give them a chance to adjust to the new environment and so they don't try to return to your old house.
- After the move take your dog for a walk straight away. Help your dog to become well-known in your new neighbourhood and let it smell around and mark its territory.
- Fish are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment and stress easily and make sure you position the aquarium in a suitable spot in your new home before unpacking your fish.
Additional advice on moving with cats
Additional advice on moving with dogs
Additional advice on moving fish
Advice on moving overseas with your pets
