Moving house can be stressful enough, but when you factor in relocating a pet along with the rest of the family, it is important to take certain steps to make sure your furry friend stays as calm and relaxed as possible.
Before the move…
First off, being prepared is the best solution for moving to a new house with the least chaos! It is therefore wise to make sure that you begin packing well in advance, making sure that your boxes are kept organised and stored in an appropriate room. By starting early, this will give your pet the opportunity to acclimatise to all of the boxes and moving paraphernalia (which will likely be sticking around in your new house for a while as you unpack) – these will be one less shock to your pet when moving day arrives. Prior to the move, it is also a good idea to register with a local vet in your new area; by doing so before the relocation, you can research the best options available nearby and you will be covered straight away should you need their help.
During the move…
To minimise your pet’s stress levels, now is the time to call upon a favour from your nearest and dearest…If possible, arrange for your pet to stay with a family member, friend or neighbour during the move. This will keep the disruption to a minimum and will allow you to focus on packing up without the added priority of making sure your pet has been fed and walked. If this is not an option, confine your pet to one room of the house whilst you load the boxes into the moving van or lorry; this will make sure they are kept out of the way and do not get confused by the empty rooms that are left! Similarly, if it is a cat that you are relocating, be sure to bring them inside the house from outside before moving day (so that you do not have a last-minute panic trying to find them) …
After the move…
So, you have moved in and now it is time to reintroduce your pet into your new home. For the first couple of days, ensure they have a quiet room where they can easily find their bedding, toys and water. Once they have adapted to this new space, you should gradually let them explore the rest of the house. If work allows, it may be helpful to take a couple of days away from the office to stay with your pet so you can supervise during this adjustment period. Make sure that you stick to your previous routine as much as possible and walk and feed your pet at the same time each day. This will allow them to settle back in so that the new environment starts to become more familiar.
Even if after following these steps your pet doesn’t adjust immediately, this is not a cause for concern; moving to a new house takes time for everyone to adjust to, animals included, and so be patient and your four-legged friend will be back to their usual self in no time.
Written by Gabriella Vianello – Executive Assistant at Alchemy Global Talent Solutions