5 Tips For Moving House With Your Pet

Moving house can be a rather daunting experience, with a great long list of things to remember which seems to be growing by the second! From boxing up your belongings to unloading them at your new residence, without intention it can be easy to overlook how your pets will respond to their new home.

While Hammy the hamster will be fine during the move, your friendly feline or beloved pooch will be far more territorial and may become distressed by this change. Disruption to your pet’s routine can make them rather anxious and disorientated, so thorough planning and preparation before your move will help to minimise any stress.

Our experts at Jaycliffe Pets are committed to helping pets lead a happy and healthy lifestyle, which is why we have compiled a list of the top 5 tips to make moving day as comfortable for your pet as possible.

Before moving day

1. Purchase an identity collar

Your new surroundings may cause your furry friend to lose their way or even try to escape, so it’s extremely important to put the necessary measures in place in case of such an emergency. Therefore, prior to moving make sure you purchase an identity collar tag engraved with your name and contact number so it’s ready to be worn on moving day.

2. Register with a new vet practice and update your pet’s insurance policy

Before moving day, obtain copies of your pet’s records from your vet, including medical and immunisation history, and register them at a different veterinary practice local to your new home.

While you’re organising these details, remember to update your pet insurance policy with your new address to ensure all documentation is sent to the correct place.

During the move

3. Safe transportation and plenty of attention

Remember to organise safe transportation for your pet if you’re unable to take them with you during the journey to your new home. Bear in mind that you will need to supply a travel crate or other equipment to keep your pet under control during transportation. Factor in toilet breaks and places for your pet to stretch their legs and have some water when planning your route so the journey is as smooth as possible.

If your pet feels isolated or forgotten during the move it can cause major anxiety or distress, prompting them to act out of character or try to escape. To keep your new carpets or furniture intact, give your pet plenty of things to chew on such as bones and toys.

Top tip: Make sure your pet is inside the house before the removals start as you may struggle to get them to return by the time you need to leave if they are playing outside.

4. Maintain routines

Keeping your pet’s eating and exercise schedules as normal as possible will help them feel relaxed during the move and start to feel familiar with their new surroundings. Place their bed and favourite toys in a quiet corner so they have the comforting scent of their old home. Not only will this reassure your pet and make them feel at ease, if you have a dog it can also deter them from marking their territory by urinating.

After the move

5. Pet-proof your new home and adapt old routine

Easing your cherished pet back into their old routine as quickly as possible is an effective way of helping them feel comfortable in their new surroundings. Using their old bed and favourite toys will allow your pet to become accustomed with their new home while understanding the boundaries.

Inspect your new property to make sure it’s safe and secure for your pet to live in. Check and repair any gaps in your garden fencing or cracks in the interior of your home to prevent them escaping or injuring themselves.

Our experts at Jaycliffe Pets want to make your moving experience as straight forward as possible, which is why we recommend you book your pet into our kennel or cattery on move day to stay for a few days so you can focus on the task in hand. We provide a safe, comfortable place for your cat or dog to stay either temporarily or long term. Our services include:

  • entertainment
  • socialisation
  • grooming
  • exercise

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our specialist team today for further information – we are always on hand to help.