Moving house is often considered a stressful time by most people, and even more so when you own a dog or a cat. Not only are you dealing with the stress of having to organise your move and pack up all of your belongings, but you also have to consider the impact of a house move on your much-loved pet.
Shuffling furniture and moving boxes during a move creates unexpected changes to an animal’s living environment – causing them stress and anxiety.
So how can you minimise your pet’s stress and keep them calm while moving house? Read on to find out more.
Why Is Moving Stressful For Dogs And Cats?
We may not realise it, but animals consider their everyday living space their ‘territory’. They are familiar with what’s around them and feel comfortable with their surroundings.
When animals are moved unexpectedly from their familiar environment, they feel displaced from their territory – resulting in stress and anxiety as well as the display of unusual behaviours.
Signs Your Pet Is Stressed
How do you know if your pet is experiencing stress or anxiety? Animals that undergo a stressful situation may demonstrate unusual behaviours. For dogs, signs of stress include: running away from home, excessive barking, hiding, pacing, loss of appetite and destructive behaviours.
Cats on the hand tend to show more subtle signs of stress such as excessive grooming, urinating or defecating outside the litter box, going off their food and pulling fur.
Before Moving Day
Preparing ahead of time is the key to ensuring everything runs smoothly on moving day. Things for you to consider planning before house move include:
- Try to stick to your pet’s normal routines as much as possible – e.g. continue to feed or walk your pet at the same time.
- If you can, take your pet over to your new place ahead of your move so they can start to familiarise themselves with the new space.
- Prepare ahead of the move – pack a ‘go’ bag containing all your pet’s essentials (food, toys, brushes, leashes, food and water bowls etc.) so you have all their essentials within arm’s reach at all times.
- Get in touch with your vet – ensure your pet is up-to-date with their vaccines and treatments. If you’re looking to move out of the area, you may want to let your vet know so you can take any medical records with you.
- Keep your pet’s toys nearby while you pack to keep your animals happy and comfortable where possible.
- If your pet is showing severe signs of stress or anxiety, you may have to consider medicating them.
On Moving Day
On moving day, be sure to keep your pet as calm as possible by doing the below:
- Reduce your pet’s stress and keep them away from the commotion. Either leave them with a friend or confined in a quiet room during your move.
- Transport your pet in your car – place your pet into a carry case secured with a seatbelt to keep it calm during your trip to the new place. For larger dogs that can’t fit into a case, be sure to put down a comfy towel or blanket for them to sit or lay on during the trip. Throw a thin cloth over the carry case to calm a nervous pet.
- Make sure your pet is secure at all times during the trip and don’t forget to give them regular toilet breaks if possible. Don’t leave your pet unattended in a parked car as quickly rising temperatures can be deadly.
After Your Move
Once you’ve arrived at your new place, there are still a few more things you should take care of as soon as you arrive as well as in the coming days. Below is a quick checklist of “must-dos” when you get to your new house:
- Check your fence for any gaps or missing sections to ensure it’s fully secure before releasing your pet into your yard.
- If you have an indoor cat, check that there are no open windows or doors at the property before letting your cat out of the carry case.
- Offer your pets food and drink to refresh themselves after the trip.
- Set up the kitty litter box for your cat.
- Update your pet’s ID tag and microchip with your new address information.
- Get in touch with a new local vet and keep their phone number on the fridge or somewhere close in case of an emergency.
- Help your pet to settle into your new place by sticking to your regular feeding, walking and bathing routines. Remember, moving to a new place can be tough on your animals so try to be patient if they show any signs of stress or anxiety.
Minimise The Stress Of Moving With A Pet – Get A Professional To Help
Save yourself the stress and hassle of moving house in Brisbane with a pet to consider. Giffen Furniture Removals can take care of your whole move from start to finish for your peace of mind.
We’ve helped hundreds of pet owners relocate their furniture and belongings to their new place with minimal fuss – and we can do the same for you.
At Giffen Removals, we offer a range of quality moving services to suit your specific needs including: furniture and personal effects pre-packing service, temporary storage solutions and interstate backloading.
Moving house with a pet is easy with help from Giffen Removals. Speak to our team today on (07) 3162 6783 and ask for a free quote!
