Although buying or selling a property is stressful enough for us humans, it can also be stressful time for our furry friends too!.
With new smells, new routines, new rooms, it can be a difficult time for them. Luckily there are a few steps you can take which will help reduce the amount of stress they experience and in return make the move easier for you too!
Keep your routine
With all that packing and organising, your routine can easily go out of the window. As routine is very important for animals, it’s important that you try to stick as close to your usual routine as much as possible. On moving day feed and walk your dog as normal and try to put a little bit of time aside during the day to play with them as this will help to reassure your pet and keep them calm. When you arrive at your new property, set up your pet’s food/water bowl, bedding, litter tray as soon as possible so they know this is their new home Give them time to settle them into their new environment and contain them to one room until they settle, so they feel safe.
Keep them contained
There will be a lot of coming and going as you pack your boxes, load up your van and start the moving process. To help minimise disruption to your animal, keep them in one room and leave that room undisturbed for as long as possible. Move your pet to your new home before you pack up the last room – that way they will experience minimal disruption and be able to start settling into their new pad.
Transporting your pet to your new home
Take your pet to the new house in your own vehicle. Cats and small dogs can be put in a carrier in the back seat, which can then be secured with a seatbelt. A bigger dog can be moved in a kennel in the back of the car; you may need to put seats down if possible. Some animals feel more comfortable if you throw a blanket over their carrier during the car ride so they can’t see the environment changing outside.