How to Move or Shift Homes When You Have Pets

Plan in Advance, and keep your Pet's Movement in Mind

If you’re moving with pets across the country, there is not much you can do to get your pet familiar with the new place. But if you’re moving with dogs or moving with pets in the same city, there are a few things you will need to plan in advance.

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Take your dog to the new place, and walk them around the neighbourhood so that they become familiar with the new neighbourhood, sights, sounds, and smells. Check if the new house is safe for pets, that the gates can be locked, that the lift grills and other grills are not too large for your pet to escape from and look for other safety hazards.

What to do with your Pet on Moving Day

On the day of the move, you will have plenty of people walking in and out of your house, they will also be walking all around your house! Having so many strangers in your home can be very stressful for your pet. When you’re moving with pets, try to keep them sheltered from the chaos that is happening at home.

Move them to a friend’s place or leave them with relatives or a daycare facility where they can be calm and away from home. If this is not possible, clear out one room in your home beforehand and leave your pet there, don’t let too many people go to that room, or be with your pet when the packers are in there.

Pack your Pet’s Belongings Last When You are Moving

When your pet is locked in a room, leave them with their favourite items, be it their beds, blankets, bowls, toys, or anything else that is familiar to them and that can give them some comfort.

Their water and food bowls need to be handy as you can’t forget to feed them and keep them hydrated through the day, even though you might be preoccupied, you can’t forget about your pets and their needs. When you’re moving with dogs or even cats, they might not be able to go to their food bowls to show that they are hungry, so ensure they are fed on time.

Tell your Neighbours About your Move Before Moving Day

This I can tell you from personal experience when your pet is not accustomed to the new place, and they are scared about something in the new place, it is likely that they will run back to the old house.

You need to speak to your neighbours and inform them of the move and leave your number with them too. This way, when you’re moving with dogs or cats, in case they go back to the old house, your neighbours can alert you. If you’ve been good neighbours, they might even bring your pet back home to you if they know where your new home is. It is also a good idea to invest in a tracking device or new nametags that have your latest contact information.

Stick to our Usual Routine with your Pet, even on Moving Day

Moving is stressful for your pet too, try and keep them calm by comforting them when you can and also sticking to their usual routine. Walk them, feed them, and play with them at the times that they are used to.

If they go for a walk or play at a certain time, try to keep to that schedule, and don’t stray too far away from what they are accustomed to as it might just make them more stressed out and on edge.

Don’t Feed your Pets just before you leave when you are Shifting

Most pets, like humans, get car sick and if you have to be in the car for a long time they might end up throwing up because of it.

Try to give them some time to rest after their meals and start the journey to your new house when they are relaxed and calm.

Plan a Spot for your Pets when you move into the New House

As soon as you get to your new house, there is still going to be a lot of chaos and confusion. You need to ensure that your pets are not unduly stressed even at the new house or it might take them even longer to adjust to their new surroundings.

In this case, you need to recreate a safe, familiar zone for your pets in the new house. You start by picking a room in the house that is relatively quiet, away from the chaos. Place your pet here along with their belongings. They need to have a few familiar sights and smells around them so that they don’t worry and stress out.

Be Patient, and kind to your Pets when you Shift to a New House

Remember, all this moving is stressful on your pets too. Be understanding of their needs as it could be traumatic for them, especially older pets who are set in their ways. So, if accidents happen, if they mess up the house, knock things over or start to get extra clingy, just be patient. This is a phase, and they will go back to their good old routines when they get familiar with the house.

Reward them when they get things right but don’t scold them or whack them when they don’t, a little kindness at this time will do them a world of good.