You are moving. This is already very exciting, but when you are moving with pets it can all be a little more exciting. Because a move itself is a lot of work and often chaotic, there are a number of points that you have to take into account when pets are also moving. With a few small adjustments you can ensure that it goes more smoothly for everyone.
Moving pets
When you are moving and have a pet like a fish or a bird, it is of course easy to move along. Do you want to move a cat or maybe a dog? Then this is of course a different story. Just as it can be quite tough for children to leave their familiar surroundings behind, this is also the case with a pet. Especially for the dogs and cats mentioned earlier, a move and a change of environment can cause some problems. However, this does not have to be the case and we hope to be able to help you a little with this article.
Different animals, different needs
The first thought that will come to mind during a move is of course that you have to pack all your belongings. Which is of course perfectly logical. However, it is true that it will be better if you leave your pet's belongings as long as possible.
Why would you think now, but when you clean up your pet's 'belongings', this can cause stress for your pet, which can make the animal restless. You may think that the items are in the way of the movers and this is of course possible, but you could then put the items in a separate room. Think of the basket, litter box or food bowls, for example. This way, these items and smells remain familiar during the move. Below are some tips for moving with a dog or a cat.
Moving dog
A dog is part of the pack and therefore the family. This ensures that dogs share in the moving stress of their household. They have a permanent place in the house and they lose this in the chaos of the move. That is why it is very important that you only move your dog on the last day. On the day itself, you can temporarily leave him with friends or family so that the move goes a bit smoother and the dog does not get trampled. However, dogs often have less trouble with a move than cats.
Moving a cat
When you are moving with cats, you would do well to find out more about this. It is true that cats have to stay inside your new home for about 6 weeks so that the cat can get used to the new environment and especially to the new smells. The problem is that if you do not let them get used to it long enough, they can lose their new home when they are allowed outside to explore the new neighborhood and you want to prevent this of course.
Small pets are useful when moving
What is this, you might think? Can small animals help with moving? No, you may have guessed it already, but we are not talking about real animals here. In this case, we are talking about dogs, handy furniture dollys to effortlessly roll heavier objects from A to B. A furniture dolly is a friend to everyone;)
Getting used to the new home
Especially the first few days are a bit of an adjustment for a dog or cat. They not only see the new environment, but they also have to get used to the new smells and the feeling they get from the environment.
A good tip is that if you have some extra time, take your pet to your new home a few times before the move so that the animal can explore it calmly. If you wait until the moving day itself, too much change in one day can cause a lot of stress, because your animal will not understand anything anymore.
On the day of the move itself, you can also put your pet's toys and things in a separate room in the new home. This way, your pet can eat, drink or possibly sleep in peace. We also advise you to let your dog explore the neighborhood calmly while walking it. Walk more often (larger) laps. This way, your pet will also feel more at ease.
Moving Pets Tips
- Stress is something your animals can sense. Therefore, make sure that your pet feels or notices as little of your stress as possible, because if you as an owner do not feel well, your pet will sense that and a stressed animal is also not nice for you on such a chaotic day. Try to think about this during the most stressful moments and pay attention, because then we know for sure that everything will be fine.
- Again, we can’t stress this enough, but it’s best to pack your pet’s things last! Also, keep them on hand so that when you get to your new home, you can make sure your pet has their own things.
- We understand that you have to work or have things to do, but it is best to be home often during the first few days of the move. When you are home, you ensure that your pet can get used to the new environment without becoming anxious. Also try to ensure that you have tidied up the moving boxes quickly, because the sooner the move is over, the better it is for everyone!
- It is very wise that when pets move to chip them. This is useful for times when your pet wanders too far away and gets lost at home. Remember what we discussed earlier about cats who may not recognize new smells yet. Maybe your pet already has a chip? If so, then of course you do not need to get a new chip, but you only need to enter the new address.
- Before moving, research a new vet. This is wise, because something could happen suddenly. If you have already found a vet and you are already registered, you can take your pet with you in such a situation.
Hire a pet-friendly moving company
Are you going to hire a moving company for your move? Inform the company in advance about your pets. This way they can take this into account. It is also nice if you let the employees know that there are pets present.
Do you have family or friends who love animals or who don't mind looking after your pet? Then you can ask them to look after your pet on the day of the move itself so that you don't have to worry about it on this chaotic day.
