Moving home with pets

Keep it stress-free

Moving can be a stressful event for humans, but pets tend to become very stressed when it comes to moving day.

Ideally, have your pet stay with a friend or relative during the removals process. If you can't, consider booking them into a kennel or cattery for the night. A last resort is to close them into a quiet room with the windows shut, and mark the door clearly with signs indicating pets are inside, do not open.

Have a tag made with your new contact information to be put on their collar on moving day. Make sure your pets are microchipped, and don't forget to update the details on their chip as soon as you move.

Pack your pet's toys, bedding and other equipment at the last moment so that they are comforted by the presence of familiar things. Also, don't wash pet bedding until a couple of weeks after the move, so that they will have something familiar smelling in the new house.

Some people have had success with Adaptil for dogs and Feliway for cats, which are intended to reduce the stress hormones in your animals. Talk to your vet about these options.

Avoid chaos

No matter how smooth your move goes, it will feel like chaos to your pet. Some of our top tips for moving day:

• Remind the removals crew that you have pets when they arrive
• Tell the removals crew where your pets are located -and ask they can keep an eye out for any unexpected escapes
• Make sure your pets are in their designated place before the removals team arrives, as unfamiliar people may scare the pets
• Don't forget to put a bowl of water and some food in your pet's safe designated spot before the removals team arrives
• If you have cats, be sure to put a litter box in their safe designated spot before the crew arrives
• For dogs, it may be helpful to put puppy training pads down in their safe designated spot, in case they need to go when the team is in the house
• If possible, secure your pets in a safe spot inside your new home before the removals crew arrives at your old home
• You may want to consider keeping your pets inside a carrier or a cage in their secure spot during the move
• Talk to your vet about anxious pets, as they may be able to offer medication or advice to keep your pet calm during the moving process
• Update your pet's microchip information
• Make sure your mobile number is on any tags your pets wear, or write your mobile number on their collar in non-water-soluble ink
• Once in your new home, don't let your pets out without being on a leash
• In your new home, if your cats go outdoors, keep them inside for a few weeks until they know where home is and don't try to return to your old home
• Stay with your pet during their first look around your new home, to reassure them and to ensure they don't get into any dangerous spots or items