They say “a change is as good as a holiday” and there’s few bigger changes than moving house. As anyone who’s relocated from one address to another will know, it can also be one of life’s more stressful experiences – testing our patience and logistics skills.
Amongst all that packing and planning, it’s important to remember the impact moving can have on our precious furry friends, who also need a little extra care and attention during this time of big change. The good news is there’s a few simple tips you can follow when moving house with pets, to give you both the best chance of a smooth adjustment! 😊🏠
Before the move
Ensure your new home is pet friendly: One of the most exciting parts of finding a new house is the inspection when we project our own dreams on an otherwise blank space. This is also the ideal time to make sure your new space is pet-friendly. A few questions to ask yourself: Does it have sufficient outdoor space (for an active dog), shade for hot Summer days and escape-proof fencing to keep your furry friend safe and sound?
Familiarise your pet with their new neighbourhood: A great way to prepare for moving with pets and minimise the stress from this big change is to familiarise your precious companion(s) with their new neighbourhood. Take your dog for a walk around the streets and parks close to your new address ahead of moving day, to get them used to the new sights, smells and sounds. All this will help ease their upcoming adjustment. 😊
Keep your packing low key: Pets (especially dogs) have great intuition and can easily read your body language for signs of stress. While moving can test our patience at the best of times, keeping calm in front of your furry friends when packing and making minimal visible fuss will go a long way to easing any lingering uncertainty they may feel.
During the move
Ensure your pets are safe on moving day: Moving day is bound to be busy! That's why it’s important to have a plan in place for your pets until you’re set up at your new address. That will give you one less thing to worry about, ease their stress and likely speed up the whole process. Make sure if your move falls over a peak period like school holidays, that you book early for our very own Pets Country Club Cat and Dog Suites - a great option to give you that extra peace of mind.
Keep your pets close by on moving day: Can’t find alternative accommodation for moving day? Nevermind, the best way to deal with this is to keep your pet(s) secured in one room with sufficient food and water, alongside familiar toys and bedding. And crucially, when driving between your old and new address make sure they travel with you and not in the removalist van, to avoid unnecessary separation anxiety!
After the move
Maintain a regular routine: Moving house with pets means fundamental changes to their lives in a short space of time. Which is why maintaining a regular routine becomes even more important. The best way to do this? By sticking to your regular walk and feeding times, keeping their favourite comfort toys and treats on hand, and giving them the same level of attention you normally would. Another handy tip is to take them back to some of their favourite exercise spots in the first few weeks following your move. It's all about reassuring your furry friend(s) that whilst their living environment has changed, your unconditional love and the life you share together remains the same. 😊
Find a qualified local vet: Finally, if you’re moving to an entirely new area it’s vital to seek a qualified local vet to maintain the health and wellbeing of your precious pet. On that note, the RSPCA website, AVA (Australian Veterinary Association) Directory and Vet Board Victoria are excellent resources for finding a trusted vet in your area.
Planning a big move? We'll take care of your furry friends for you. Contact our friendly team at the Pets Country Club on (03) 5282 1286!