Moving Your Pet

By Paula Thorne

It's finally here, the day you move into your stunning new home and you will finally be rid of the 80s décor in your old place. The moving trucks are on their way and you hit the road with a rising sense of excitement. But you have a nagging feeling that you've forgotten to pack something? the dog!

So this scenario is a little extreme and a bit like a bad scene out of Home Alone, but pets often get overlooked when their human companions move. Lacking the ability to sit down and chat with you about your move, it must be difficult for pets to understand why they are losing their old territory. Animals are sensitive to change in their environment and moving to a new home can be very stressful.

Well in advance of moving, have your pets checked by a veterinarian. Make sure they are in good health and if there are any pre-existing conditions requiring special attention, have enough medication to last you until your next appointment. Locate the animal clinic nearest your new home so that if any emergencies occur you know where to get help quickly. It's a good idea to verify that your pet insurance is up-to-date and that you know what is covered.

With the buzz and excitement of moving trucks, strange people wandering around, and traveling, the chances of an accident occurring involving your pet are heightened.

Before you get to your new home, decide where in the house your pets will live, sleep, eat, and most importantly toilet. With caged pets this is relatively simple and cats are generally tidy. Allocate these areas and start to use them as soon as you arrive, so that your pets get clear, consistent information about the new house rules. For example, if you don't want your dog in the bedroom then don't let him in the bedroom from day one. Dogs will need to be shown where they can toilet. Make it the first stop once you arrive in your new home to avoid any accidents on the carpet or flooring.

One important part of moving to a new home is establishing good relations with your neighbours. Make sure that you let your new neighbours know you have pets and arrange for an introduction. If there are other animals in the area that your pets may come into contact with, then speak to the owners and, if appropriate, organize controlled meetings, preferably on neutral ground. Find the most suitable park or street route around your new home and if practical, take your pet for some walks around the new area in the weeks before you move to help familiarize him to the sights, sounds, and smells he is likely to encounter.

On the day you move, keep a close eye on your pets and be aware of any unusual behaviour that may indicate they are anxious. To help reduce anxiety, keep your pets in a relatively quiet area and away from the hustle and bustle of moving. Feed your pets when you arrive as this will quickly establish it as home. Keep things as familiar as possible by using all their existing bedding, bowls, cages, and toys, at least initially.

While furniture is coming and going and doors (escape routes) are open, confinement to one, quiet room is much less stressful for you and your pets. Make sure you put a sign on the door to indicate there?s an animal inside and provide adequate water and toileting facilities. If your pets are confined, pay them regular visits to keep them reassured that you are still close by.

Moving can be just as stressful for your pets as it can be for you, so spare them a thought and ensure that all their experiences at your new home are good ones. Remember that each animal is an individual and will react differently. And finally, don't forget to update your pets' identification tags to include your new address.