Moving With Pets: Making the Move Easier for Everyone
Moving is stressful for everyone—including your pets! A change in surroundings, routine and familiar smells can be unsettling for our four-legged family members. Cats, in particular, can be very sensitive to changes in their environment.
The good news is that a little planning can go a long way toward reducing their stress and helping them settle into their new home.
Packing Up
The gradual disappearance of furniture and familiar belongings can be confusing for your pets.
Rather than bringing in dozens of boxes and packing everything at once, consider bringing packing materials into the home gradually and packing over several days or weeks if possible.
Try to maintain their normal routine as much as you can. Make sure your pets continue to have easy access to their food and water bowls, beds, favourite toys and, of course, the litter box throughout the packing process.
For cats especially, keeping a familiar space that remains relatively untouched can give them somewhere to retreat when things start to feel overwhelming.
Moving Day
Moving day can be particularly stressful—and potentially dangerous—for pets.
There will be strangers coming and going, doors opening and closing, furniture being carried through the house and plenty of noise. Even a pet that normally never tries to escape may bolt when frightened.
If possible, have your pet stay somewhere else for the day, such as with a friend or family member, at a boarding facility or at a pet sitter's home.
If that's not an option, place them in a quiet, secure room away from the movers, with their favourite bed, toys, food and water. Put a sign on the door letting everyone know the room is occupied and should remain closed.
And don't forget to check that your pet's identification information is current before moving day. If your pet is microchipped, make sure your contact information is up to date.
Getting to Your New Home
The journey itself can be stressful, particularly for pets that aren't accustomed to travelling.
Cats are generally safest in a secure carrier, while dogs should be properly restrained in the vehicle. Never leave a pet unattended in a parked vehicle, even for what you think will be a short time.
If you're travelling a longer distance, plan ahead for food, water, bathroom breaks and any medications your pet may need.
And remember to bring a small bag with the essentials you'll need immediately—food, water, bowls, medications, treats, waste bags, litter and a favourite blanket or toy. You don't want to be searching through twenty boxes for the cat's litter scoop on your first night!
The gradual disappearance of furniture and familiar belongings can be confusing for your pets.
Rather than bringing in dozens of boxes and packing everything at once, consider bringing packing materials into the home gradually and packing over several days or weeks if possible.
Try to maintain their normal routine as much as you can. Make sure your pets continue to have easy access to their food and water bowls, beds, favourite toys and, of course, the litter box throughout the packing process.
For cats especially, keeping a familiar space that remains relatively untouched can give them somewhere to retreat when things start to feel overwhelming.
Moving Day
Moving day can be particularly stressful—and potentially dangerous—for pets.
There will be strangers coming and going, doors opening and closing, furniture being carried through the house and plenty of noise. Even a pet that normally never tries to escape may bolt when frightened.
If possible, have your pet stay somewhere else for the day, such as with a friend or family member, at a boarding facility or at a pet sitter's home.
If that's not an option, place them in a quiet, secure room away from the movers, with their favourite bed, toys, food and water. Put a sign on the door letting everyone know the room is occupied and should remain closed.
And don't forget to check that your pet's identification information is current before moving day. If your pet is microchipped, make sure your contact information is up to date.
Getting to Your New Home
The journey itself can be stressful, particularly for pets that aren't accustomed to travelling.
Cats are generally safest in a secure carrier, while dogs should be properly restrained in the vehicle. Never leave a pet unattended in a parked vehicle, even for what you think will be a short time.
If you're travelling a longer distance, plan ahead for food, water, bathroom breaks and any medications your pet may need.
And remember to bring a small bag with the essentials you'll need immediately—food, water, bowls, medications, treats, waste bags, litter and a favourite blanket or toy. You don't want to be searching through twenty boxes for the cat's litter scoop on your first night!
Moving In
Moving into a new home and unpacking is chaotic at best, but it's important to make the new environment safe before allowing your pets to explore.
Look at the house from their perspective. Check for things they could get stuck in or chew, hazardous plants, cleaning products and other chemicals, pest-control traps and anything else that could pose a danger.
Make sure windows have secure screens and check doors and gates carefully—particularly if you have a dog that will be exploring a new yard.
It's also a good idea to identify where your pet's food, water, litter box and sleeping area will be located before they arrive.
Settling In
A completely new and unfamiliar home can be overwhelming.
Rather than giving your pet free rein of the entire house immediately, consider starting them in one quiet room with familiar things: their bed, favourite toys, treats, food and water bowls and, for cats, their litter box.
Once they're relaxed and comfortable, gradually allow them to explore the rest of the home.
For cats, don't be surprised if they hide for a while. Let them come out at their own pace rather than trying to coax them out. Keeping their normal feeding and play schedule can also help provide a sense of familiarity.
If you're moving a cat's litter box from the initial room to its permanent location, move it gradually—just a little bit each day. Changing the location all at once can sometimes result in confusion or accidents.
Give Them Time
Every pet will react differently to a move. Some will be happily exploring within hours, while others may need several days—or even longer—to feel completely comfortable.
The most important things you can give them are patience, familiar routines and plenty of reassurance.
Before long, those boxes will be unpacked, the furniture will be in place and your pets will have claimed their favourite new spot in the house.
With a little preparation and a lot of patience, your four-legged family members will soon be feeling right at home—and may even wonder what all the fuss was about! 🐾
Photo courtesy of Anastasia Shuraeva
Moving into a new home and unpacking is chaotic at best, but it's important to make the new environment safe before allowing your pets to explore.
Look at the house from their perspective. Check for things they could get stuck in or chew, hazardous plants, cleaning products and other chemicals, pest-control traps and anything else that could pose a danger.
Make sure windows have secure screens and check doors and gates carefully—particularly if you have a dog that will be exploring a new yard.
It's also a good idea to identify where your pet's food, water, litter box and sleeping area will be located before they arrive.
Settling In
A completely new and unfamiliar home can be overwhelming.
Rather than giving your pet free rein of the entire house immediately, consider starting them in one quiet room with familiar things: their bed, favourite toys, treats, food and water bowls and, for cats, their litter box.
Once they're relaxed and comfortable, gradually allow them to explore the rest of the home.
For cats, don't be surprised if they hide for a while. Let them come out at their own pace rather than trying to coax them out. Keeping their normal feeding and play schedule can also help provide a sense of familiarity.
If you're moving a cat's litter box from the initial room to its permanent location, move it gradually—just a little bit each day. Changing the location all at once can sometimes result in confusion or accidents.
Give Them Time
Every pet will react differently to a move. Some will be happily exploring within hours, while others may need several days—or even longer—to feel completely comfortable.
The most important things you can give them are patience, familiar routines and plenty of reassurance.
Before long, those boxes will be unpacked, the furniture will be in place and your pets will have claimed their favourite new spot in the house.
With a little preparation and a lot of patience, your four-legged family members will soon be feeling right at home—and may even wonder what all the fuss was about! 🐾
Photo courtesy of Anastasia Shuraeva
